JP2003319809A - Grip of pole for assisting walk - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ring-shaped grip of a pole for assisting walk which enables natural gripping of a grip part in the axial direction from above as well as a grip part in the diametrical direction from the lateral side of the periphery and enables attainment of a feeling of gripping that results in little fatigue and brings about no sense of discomfort and which has an original design. <P>SOLUTION: A plate-shaped insert member 22 of high rigidity has a ring-shaped part 24 of which the upper part is made to be a long side for forming the grip part from above and which is formed substantially in the shape of a triangle and an extension piece 26 which is extended downward integrally from the angle part of the lower end of the ring-shaped part and of which the fore end part is fitted in a pipe shaft 4. The member of which the outer periphery is covered with a soft resin layer 30 is injection-molded integrally. A space 33 for insertion of the shaft is formed between the extension piece and the resin layer. The base end part 26a of the extension piece is made to engage with an engaging groove 4a formed in the end part of the pipe shaft along the axial direction. In the ring-shaped part, a projecting piece 40 for forming a part for putting fingers on is provided in the upper-side angle part so that it is projected laterally. The resin layer 30b forming the space part for insertion of the shaft covers the upper end part of the shaft over a prescribed length and forms the grip part 36 from the diametrical direction on the lateral side. A material having light-transmitting properties is used preferably for the resin layer so that the external surface of the insert member may appear. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a grip attached to an end portion of a pipe shaft of a walking assistance pole.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, walking assistance poles have been used for trekking, hiking, etc. not only for people with disabilities such as the elderly but also for healthy people. There is a telescopic type as shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the telescopic walking-assist pole 2 has a plurality of pipe shafts having different diameters which are sequentially inserted and removed in the order of the diameters so that the entire length thereof has a specific length. It is configured so that it can be extended and locked, that is, can be engaged and fixed. Generally, three aluminum cylindrical pipe shafts 8, 6, 4 having a small diameter, a medium diameter, and a large diameter.
The grip 11 for gripping is provided at the base end of the large-diameter pipe shaft 4, and the stone cover 14 is provided at the end of the small-diameter pipe shaft 8 which is the distal pipe shaft. During use, the medium diameter pipe shaft 6 is pulled out from the large diameter pipe shaft 4 and the small diameter pipe shaft 8 is pulled out from the medium diameter pipe shaft 6, and the base end portion of the small diameter pipe shaft 8 is the tip portion of the medium diameter pipe shaft 6. To
Further, the proximal end portion of the medium diameter pipe shaft 6 is fitted into the distal end portion of the large diameter pipe shaft 4 and can be locked by a lock mechanism including the joint plug 16 in an expanded state.
When being carried, the lock is released, the small diameter pipe shaft 8 is housed in the medium diameter pipe shaft 6, and the medium diameter pipe shaft 6 is housed in the large diameter pipe shaft 4 so that the total length can be shortened.

By the way, as shown in the figure, a T-shaped resin-made grip 11 is often used as the grip 11 for gripping. This T-shaped gripping grip 11 is attached to the upper end of the walking assistance pole 2 and has a radial gripping portion 12 for gripping the pole 2 from the lateral radial direction.
And an axial grip portion 13 for gripping from the upper axial direction.

A fitting hole is formed in the radial grip 12 and is fitted and mounted on the upper end of the pipe shaft 4 of the pole 2 from above so that the outer circumference of the upper end of the pipe shaft 4 is narrower than the palm width. Also covers a large predetermined length. The outer shape is a barrel shape with a bulged central part for easy grip.

The axial grip portion 13 is the radial grip portion 12 described above.
Is integrally formed to extend from the upper end portion toward both the front and rear sides, and protrudes forward shortly from the joint with the radial grip portion 12, while protruding rearward longer than the front portion. ing. The front protruding portion 13a is gripped by the thumb and the index finger, and the rear protruding portion 13b is gripped by the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger. That is, the upper end portion of the radial grip portion 12 is sandwiched between the forefinger and the middle finger so as to be gripped and tightened.

[0007]

However, in the above-described conventional T-shaped gripping grip 11, the radial gripping portion 12 and the axial gripping portion 13 are combined in terms of strength. The connecting portion cannot be made too thin, and the resin material used must be hard. Further, since the maximum load point applied to the axial gripping portion is located laterally away from the axial center of the shaft, the load applied to the axial gripping portion is large at the connecting portion with the radial gripping portion 12. From this point as well, the connecting portion cannot be made too thin because it acts as a moment.

Therefore, when the axial gripping portion 13 is gripped from above by sandwiching the connecting portion of the upper end portion of the radial gripping portion 12 between the index finger and the middle finger, the feeling of uncomfortableness does not feel comfortable to the hand. It was a big thing, and it was difficult to say that it was easy to grip, especially since the index finger puts a heavy load on it and fatigue is likely to accumulate. In addition, since it is integrally formed of a hard resin material such as vinyl chloride, it does not feel comfortable and does not fit comfortably in the hand.Because it is hard, it is difficult to buffer the impact when it strikes the ground, so the palm It was easy to cause fatigue.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to allow the grip portion to be naturally grasped from above the pipe shaft, and to have a soft feeling, and to give a feeling of discomfort or fatigue. It is to provide a grip for a walking aid pole that provides a comfortable grip.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the grip of the walking assistance pole shown in claim 1 is a grip attached to the end of a pipe shaft,
A highly rigid plate-like insert member having a substantially triangular annular portion whose upper part is a long side for forming a gripping portion from above, and a soft resin which is integrally injection-molded to cover the insert member. The insert member is provided with an extension piece integrally extending downward from a corner of the lower end of the annular portion and having a tip end fitted into the pipe shaft, and A space for inserting the pipe shaft is formed between the fitting portion of the projecting piece with the pipe shaft and the resin layer.

According to this structure, the axial gripping portion which is gripped from above along the axial direction of the pipe shaft is formed on the long side portion of the upper portion of the annular portion having a substantially triangular shape, and is located directly above the pipe shaft. The load applied to this axial gripping portion is transmitted to the pipe shaft through the insert member having a substantially triangular shape and having high rigidity, and sufficient strength can be secured. In addition, since the insert member can secure sufficient strength, it becomes possible to use a resin material that covers the insert member, which is much softer than conventional materials, for example, a resin such as a thermoplastic elastomer material. It fits comfortably in your hand and gives you a good grip, but you can get a grip.

A grip for a walking aid pole according to a second aspect of the present invention is the grip according to the first aspect, wherein both edges of a base end portion of the extending piece of the insert member extend axially along an end portion of the pipe shaft. It is characterized in that it is engaged with the formed engagement groove. According to this configuration, since the base end portion of the extending piece of the insert member engages with the engaging groove of the pipe shaft like a key, it is possible to prevent the grip from rotating around the shaft with respect to the pipe shaft. Alternatively, it is possible to prevent the grip from tilting in the plate thickness direction of the insert member.

The grip of the walking aid pole according to a third aspect is the grip of the walking assistance pole according to the first and second aspects, in which the annular portion of the insert member extends from the corner of the long side for forming the gripping portion to the long side. It is characterized in that a protrusion protruding laterally is provided. According to this structure, the protruding piece portion can be made to function as a finger-holding portion of the thumb, and various aspects can be provided when gripping the axial gripping portion to improve usability. You can Further, since the insert member has a substantially triangular shape and has high rigidity in terms of shape, the two oblique sides connecting the both ends of the long side and the lower end corner are covered with the resin layer. The grip can be formed to be as thin as possible, so that even if the hypotenuse part on the side where the protrusion is formed is sandwiched between the index finger and the middle finger and gripped, the grip on the index finger and the feeling of uncomfortable feeling are not likely to occur. be able to.

The grip of the walking assistance pole according to claim 4 is the grip according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the resin layer defining the space for insertion of the pipe shaft has a predetermined upper end portion. It is characterized in that it covers the length and forms a grip portion from the lateral radial direction. According to this configuration, since the grip portion in the radial direction is formed below the grip portion in the axial direction and the grip portion can be grasped from two directions, it is possible to walk in a climbing condition or a downhill condition. In addition, the gripping direction and height of the grip can be changed in various ways to improve the usability as much as possible.

A grip for a walking assistance pole according to a fifth aspect is the grip according to the first to fourth aspects, characterized in that the resin layer has a light-transmitting property. According to this configuration, since the shape and color of the outer surface of the insert member inside are exposed through the resin layer, it is possible to create various designs by applying various colors to the surface of the insert member. The designability can be improved.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the annular grip of a walking assistance pole according to the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, taking as an example the case where the annular grip is applied to a telescopic walking assistance pole. Detailed description. The main structure of the telescopic walking-assist pole main body in the present embodiment is the same as that of the conventional example described above, and the structure shown in FIG. 4 is completely common to the present invention. Therefore, only the large diameter pipe shuff is shown and the other detailed description is omitted.

1A and 1B show an annular grip of a walking assistance pole according to the present invention. FIG. 1A is a side sectional view and FIG. 1B is a perspective view. 2 shows a state in which the annular grip shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the upper end portion of the large diameter pipe shaft, (a) is a side sectional view, and (b) is a perspective view in a broken state. Further, FIG. 3 shows an insert member that is embedded in an annular grip and serves as a core material. (A) is a side view, (b) shows the insert member and the upper end portion of a pipe shaft with which the insert member is engaged. It is the perspective view shown.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the annular grip 20 of the present invention is an insert resin molded product that is attached to the large diameter pipe shaft 4 of the walking assistance pole 2 and includes an insert member 22 and the insert member 22. The resin layer 30 covers the outside of the insert member.

The insert member 22 is made of a highly rigid plate member having an annular portion 24 having a slightly rounded and substantially triangular shape, and is made of, for example, a metal plate such as iron or aluminum, or glass fiber or carbon. It is formed of a fiber-reinforced resin plate made of fibers or the like. The annular portion 2 of this insert member 22
4, a long side portion 24a having a triangular shape is an upper portion, and the long side portion 24a is a gripping portion forming portion of the grip.

A substantially rectangular extension piece 26 is integrally extended below the lower end corner of the annular portion 24a facing the long side portion 24a. The width of the extension piece 26 is equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the large diameter pipe shaft 4 at the base end portion 26a immediately below the corner portion. And the tip portion 26 further below
The width b is reduced to match the inner diameter of the large-diameter pipe shaft 4, and is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter pipe shaft 4. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the large-diameter pipe shaft 4 is provided with an engaging groove 4a at its upper end, which engages with both sides of the base end 26a of the extending piece 26. The insert member 22 is engraved in a pair along the direction, and both side edges of the base end portion 26a of the extending piece 26 of the insert member 22 are fitted into and engaged with the engagement groove 4a, and the tip portion 2
6b is inserted into the large-diameter pipe shaft 4, and both side edges of the large-diameter pipe shaft 4 abut on and fit to the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter pipe shaft 4.

A resin layer 30 made of a soft resin material such as a thermoplastic elastomer is provided on the outside of the insert member 20 so as to cover it.
0 and the insert member 2 fitted to the large diameter pipe shaft 4
An insertion space 33 for inserting the upper end of the large-diameter pipe shaft 4 is provided between the second extension piece 26 and the second extension piece 26. The insertion space 33 is formed in a circular cross section around both sides of the base end portion 26a of the extension piece 26 in the plate thickness direction, around the narrowed front end portion 26b and below the front end portion 26b. . That is, the resin layer 30 is formed by insert molding in which the molding resin is injected and injected into the molding die with the insert member 22 and the molding core of the pipe shaft insertion space 33 arranged in the molding die. The insert member 22 is embedded in the resin layer 30 to serve as the core material of the grip 20, and the annular portion resin layer 30a that covers the periphery of the annular portion 24 and the root portion of the extending piece 26 at the lower end thereof is formed to be solid. .

On the other hand, the shaft insertion portion resin layer 30b which covers the outside of the extension piece 26 of the insert member 22 and defines the outer contour of the pipe shaft insertion space 33 is the extension piece 2 described above.
6 extends below 6 and extends over a predetermined length equal to or larger than the entire width of the palm, the inner peripheral surface of which is matched with the outer diameter of the large-diameter pipe shaft 4, and the outer peripheral surface is flared downward. The diameter of the tip end is reduced and the stepped portion 32 is formed. That is, the step portion 32 is a gripping portion between the little finger and the palm portion of the base thereof, and the flare portion 34 above the step portion 32 includes the three fingers from the index finger to the ring finger, the palm portion of the base, and the mother-born ball portion of the thumb. The gripping portion of the pipe shaft forms a radial grip portion 36 that grips the pipe shaft from the lateral radial direction.

Then, with respect to the radial grip portion 36, the long side portion 24a of the annular portion 24 of the insert member 22 and the resin layer 30 covering the portion are connected to the pipe shaft 4
An axial grip portion 38 for gripping the grip 20 from above in the axial direction is formed. In the present embodiment, the long side portion of the annular portion that serves as the axial grip portion 38 is longer than the width of three fingers from the middle finger to the little finger in the length of the resin layer surface portion of the inner peripheral portion. It is set slightly larger. In addition, the insert member 22 is provided at both ends of the long side 24a and the annular portion 2
The two hypotenuse portions connecting the four lower ends are formed as short side portions 24b, one of which rises at an acute angle and extends, and the other of which is a midside portion 24 which rises slightly outward in the radial direction.
It is formed as c. And the insert member 22
At the corner portion of the joint between the short side portion 24b and the long side portion 24a of the annular portion 24, a projecting piece 40 that projects laterally from the corner portion along the upper side portion is provided. The outer periphery of 40 is also covered with the resin layer 30, and the projecting piece 40 is formed so that it can function as a finger-holding portion for the thumb and forefinger.

Although a through hole 42 is formed at each corner of the annular portion of the grip 20 having a substantially triangular shape in the drawing, the through hole 42 is positioned for holding the insert member 22 in the molding die. Although formed by a pin, the insert member 22 also has a hole so that the through hole 42 can be used as a through hole for the strap.

Therefore, according to the grip 20 of the present embodiment constructed as described above, the axial grip portion 38 which is gripped from above along the axial direction of the large diameter pipe shaft 4 has a substantially triangular shape. The soft resin layer 30 is formed so as to cover the long side portion 24a of the upper portion of the annular portion 24 of the insert member 22 and is provided substantially directly above the pipe shaft 4. Then, the load applied to the axial grip portion 38 is applied to the large-diameter pipe shaft 4 via the short side portion 24b and the middle side portion 24c forming both oblique sides of the insert member 22 having a substantially triangular shape and having high rigidity. Therefore, it will be possible to secure sufficient strength. In addition, since the insert member 22 can secure sufficient strength, the resin layer 30 covering the insert member 22 is made of a resin material that is very soft as compared with the conventional resin,
For example, it becomes possible to use a thermoplastic elastomer or the like, and therefore, the grip 20 can be obtained which is soft to the touch, fits well in the hand, and has an excellent feel.

The width of the extending piece 26 of the insert member 22 on the side of the base end portion 26a is slightly larger than or equal to the outer diameter of the pipe shaft 4, and both side edges of the base end portion 26a are large. Since it is fitted into the engaging groove 4a formed along the axial direction at the end of the diameter pipe shaft 4 and engages like a key, the rigidity of the connecting portion can be ensured to be high.
Not only can the rotation of the grip 20 about the axis of the large-diameter pipe shaft 4 be prevented, but also the grip 20 can be prevented from tilting in the plate thickness direction of the insert member 22.

Further, in the annular portion 24 of the insert member 22, the long side corners 2 from the upper long side corners are provided.
Since the projecting piece 40 protruding laterally along 4a is provided and the projecting side 40 portion is also covered with the resin layer 30, the projecting piece portion 40 can be made to function as a finger-holding portion for the thumb and forefinger. It is possible to improve the usability by giving the axial gripping portion 38 various forms when gripping it.

Further, since the insert member 22 has a substantially triangular shape and has a high rigidity in shape, the hypotenuse portion on the side where the projecting piece 40 is formed is covered with the resin layer 30. The grip 20 can be formed to be as thin as possible, and even if the part is gripped by sandwiching the part between the index finger and the middle finger, it is possible to obtain the grip 20 in which the burden on the index finger and the uncomfortable feeling of gripping do not easily occur.

In addition, the large diameter pipe shaft 4
The resin layer 30 that defines the insertion space 32 covers the upper end of the large-diameter pipe shaft 4 for a predetermined length to form the lateral grip portion 36. The grip 20 can be grasped from two directions, that is, from the upper axial direction of the axial grip portion 38 and from the radial direction of the radial grip portion 36 below the axial grip portion 38. , Grip 2 according to walking conditions such as climbing and descending
The gripping direction and height of 0 can be changed variously, and the usability can be improved as much as possible.

If a resin material having a light-transmitting property is used for the resin layer 30, the resin layer 30 can be transmitted and the shape and color of the outer surface of the internal insert member 22 can be highlighted. 22 By applying multicolored coloring to the surface, it is possible to easily create various designs and improve the design.

Further, since a load can be applied to almost the axis of the pole 2, the bending moment acting on the pole 2 can be reduced as much as possible, and the impact when the tip of the pole 2 is projected on the ground surface is flexible. Can be absorbed by the different resin layer 30. Therefore, the burden on the palm is reduced, and fatigue can be reduced.

[0032]

As described above, according to the grip of the walking assistance pole according to the present invention, various excellent effects as described below are exhibited.

(1) An axial gripping portion which is gripped from above along the axial direction of the pipe shaft is formed on a long side portion of an upper portion of an annular portion having a substantially triangular shape, and is positioned directly above the pipe shaft. Since the load applied to the axial gripping portion is transmitted to the pipe shaft via the insert member having a substantially triangular shape and embedded therein and having high rigidity, the grip strength can be sufficiently secured. In addition, since the insert member can secure sufficient strength, it becomes possible to use a resin material that covers the insert member, which is much softer than conventional materials, for example, a resin such as a thermoplastic elastomer material. It fits comfortably in your hand and gives you a good grip, but you can get a grip.

(2) By engaging both edges of the base end portion of the extending piece of the insert member with the engaging groove formed along the axial direction at the end portion of the pipe shaft like a key, the grip and the pipe shaft The rigidity of the joint portion can be ensured to be high, rotation of the grip around the pipe shaft can be prevented, and tilting of the grip in the plate thickness direction of the insert member can be prevented.

(3) In the annular portion of the insert member,
By providing a protruding piece that laterally protrudes from the long side corner portion along the long side, the protruding piece portion can be made to function as a finger hook portion of the thumb, and when gripping the axial grip portion. It is possible to improve the usability by giving variety to the modes. Further, since the insert member has a substantially triangular shape and has high rigidity in terms of shape, the two oblique sides connecting the both ends of the long side and the lower end corner are covered with the resin layer. The grip can be formed to be as thin as possible, so that even if the hypotenuse part on the side where the protrusion is formed is sandwiched between the index finger and the middle finger and gripped, the grip on the index finger and the feeling of uncomfortable feeling are not likely to occur. be able to.

(4) The upper end of the pipe shaft is covered with a resin layer that defines the outline of the space for insertion of the pipe shaft over a predetermined length to form a lateral grip portion. As a result, the grip can be gripped from two directions, the upper axial direction and the lateral radial direction, so the gripping direction and height of the grip can be variously changed according to walking conditions such as climbing and descending slopes. It is possible and the usability can be improved as much as possible.

(5) By adopting a resin material having a light-transmitting property for the resin layer, the shape and color of the outer surface of the internal insert member can be made visible by being transmitted through the resin layer,
As a result, it is possible to easily create a variety of designs by, for example, applying various colors to the surface of the insert member, thus improving the design.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an annular grip of a walking assistance pole according to the present invention, in which (a) is a side sectional view and (b) is a perspective view.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the annular grip shown in FIG. 1 is attached to a large diameter pipe shaft, (a) is a side sectional view,
(B) is a perspective view of the broken state.

3A and 3B show an insert member to be inserted into an annular grip, FIG. 3A is a side view, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the insert member and an upper end portion of a pipe shaft with which the insert member is engaged. .

FIG. 4 is a view showing a telescopic walking assist pole equipped with a conventional resin grip for gripping, in which (a) shows a state of extension and (b) shows a decomposed tree state of the pole. Is.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Walking aid pole 4 large diameter pipe shaft 20 annular grip 22 Insert member 24 Annular part 24a long side part 24b Short side part 24c Middle part 26 Extension piece 26a base end 26b tip 30 Fat material layer 30a annular part resin layer 30b Shaft insertion part resin layer 32 steps 33 Space for inserting shaft 34 Flare part 36 Radial grip 38 Axial grip 40 Projection

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A grip which is attached to the end of a pipe shaft of a walking aid pole, and which has a high-rigidity plate having an annular portion having a substantially triangular shape whose upper portion is a long side for forming a gripping portion from above. -Shaped insert member and a soft resin layer that is integrally injection-molded to cover the insert member, and the insert member is integrally extended downward from the corner of the lower end of the annular portion. An extension piece having a tip end fitted into the pipe shaft is provided, and a space for inserting the pipe shaft is provided between a portion of the extension piece fitted with the pipe shaft and the resin layer. The grip of the walking aid pole is characterized by the fact that it is formed. 2. The both edges of the base end portion of the extension piece of the insert member are engaged with engagement grooves formed along the axial direction at the end portion of the pipe shaft. The grip of the walking aid pole described in 1. 3. The annular portion of the insert member,
2. The grip for a walking assistance pole according to claim 1, further comprising: a protrusion protruding laterally along the long side from the long side corner for forming the gripping portion. 4. A resin layer that defines an insertion space of the pipe shaft covers an upper end portion of the pipe shaft for a predetermined length to form a lateral gripping portion. The grip of the walking aid pole according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein 5. The grip for a walking assistance pole according to claim 1, wherein the resin layer has a light-transmitting property.