JP2013116296A - Two walking sticks connected eccentrically and turnably - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide walking aid sticks which are simple and have good appearance, cause no trouble to turn left and right, do not disturb to visually check even if there is a step in a walking route, and allow a user to pass the step easily by a little adjustment.SOLUTION: The walking aid sticks includes two walking sticks and a coupling element that mutually connects these sticks. The coupling element is connected with a middle part of one stick at one end thereof through a first radial thrust bearing and also with a middle part of the other walking stick at the other end thereof through a second radial thrust bearing, and the rotary axes of the first and second radial thrust bearings are parallel to each other and spaced at a fixed distance from each other, and also spaced from each other at a fixed distance in a direction along the rotary axes.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cane used by a person when walking, and particularly relates to a cane that combines two canes so as to help a person who has weakened legs and waists to walk.

  A cane is known as a convenient device for helping a person walk, but the degree to which walking can be aided by a cane is negligible. A crutch is known as a device that helps people walk when their legs and lower back are seriously injured due to injury or the like.

  People gradually become dull due to aging, but the impression that crutches are used by people with disabilities is strong, and the discomfort caused by foreign objects hitting the armpit is large, so injuries etc. Elderly people who have not hurt usually do not usually use crutches for walking, and generally rely on a cane or push a wheelbarrow like a baby carriage to help their legs.

One cane is usually used with one hand, but the two canes are crossed obliquely at the middle part and combined with each other at the intersection, and between the upper ends of the two canes In Patent Document 1 below, it is proposed that the stability of the cane is improved by extending a cross bar to form two canes. In Patent Document 2 below, it is proposed that two crutches are combined by a crossbar to form a two crutch.
JP 2001-061914 A JP 10-0666716

  A cane is a simple means of assisting walking and is good in appearance, but if the legs and legs are greatly degraded, the assist ability will be insufficient. Pushing a wheelbarrow is far superior in walking assistance compared to a cane, but it is troublesome to change the direction of the wheelbarrow when turning left or right, and the wheelbarrow blocks the road surface ahead from view. When there is a step in the walking route, the car may not be aware of it, and there is a risk that the car will stop shockingly at the raised step and receive a shock, or may fall down at the descending step.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention is basically a walking stick, and is the simplest and best for walking assistance, has no trouble in making left or right turns, and hinders visual recognition even if there are steps in the walking path. It is a problem to provide a walking assist device that can easily pass through a step by slight adjustment, and that can assist walking with higher stability than a normal walking stick. It is said.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention has two canes and a connecting element for connecting the two canes to each other, and the connecting element is one of the two canes at one end thereof. The intermediate portion of the first cane is connected to the intermediate portion of the first cane via the first radial thrust bearing, and the other end portion is connected to the intermediate portion of the second cane and the second radial thrust bearing. The rotation axis of the first radial thrust bearing and the rotation axis of the second radial thrust bearing are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other by a certain distance, The second radial thrust bearing proposes an eccentric rotation connecting two cane characterized in that the radial thrust bearings are spaced apart from each other by a certain distance in the direction along the rotation axis.

  The first and second radial thrust bearings may be ball bearings in which a series of balls arranged annularly along an annular groove roll in the annular groove.

  The connecting element supports the first radial thrust bearing and supports a first arm portion extending along a rotation axis of the first radial thrust bearing and the second radial thrust bearing. It may be a crank-type member having a second arm portion extending along the rotation axis of the second radial thrust bearing.

  Alternatively, the connecting element has a slope extending linearly between a first end that supports the first radial thrust bearing and a second end that supports the second radial thrust bearing. It may be a diagonal member having a shaft.

  A plurality of grounding claws may be provided at the lower ends of the two canes. There may be four such nails on each wand. Moreover, such a nail | claw may be able to adjust the attachment angle with respect to a cane.

  The connecting position between the intermediate portion of the first cane and the one end of the connecting element and the connecting position between the intermediate portion of the second cane and the other end of the connecting element are along the respective canes. It may be changeable.

  The total length of the two canes may be changeable.

  As described above, two wands and a connecting element for connecting the two wands to each other are combined, and the connecting element is an intermediate portion of the first wand of the two wands at one end thereof. And the first radial thrust bearing and the other end of the two canes and the second radial thrust bearing, and the second radial thrust bearing. The rotational axis of one radial thrust bearing and the rotational axis of the second radial thrust bearing are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other by the first and second radial thrust bearings. If the first and second canes are separated from each other by the connecting element and the first and second radial thrust bearings, the first and second canes are spaced apart from each other by a certain distance in the direction along the rotational axis. One leg when a person walks Since they are guided to each other so that they move in a manner similar to the stepping forward with respect to the other leg, if you operate with two eccentric rotating joints in both hands, you can walk like a four-legged walk. It is possible to walk with a walking stick with a high degree of stability by assisting both hands with the deterioration of both legs.

  If the first and second radial thrust bearings are ball bearings in which a series of balls arranged annularly along an annular groove roll in the annular groove, the first and second canes Even in the state where a large torsional force is applied in either direction, smooth rotation of the first and second radial thrust bearings can be ensured.

  The connecting element supports the first radial thrust bearing and supports a first arm portion extending along a rotation axis of the first radial thrust bearing and the second radial thrust bearing. In the case of a crank-type member having a second arm portion extending along the rotation axis of the second radial thrust bearing, the rotation axes are spaced apart from each other by a certain distance in parallel with each other, and the direction along these rotation axes The connecting elements that support the first and second radial thrust bearings in a relationship spaced apart from each other by a certain distance can be configured to express the function of the connecting elements. It can suggest the proper usage of this stick.

  The connecting element has an inclined shaft extending linearly between a first end supporting the first radial thrust bearing and a second end supporting the second radial thrust bearing. In the case of an oblique member, the first and second radial thrust bearings have a relationship in which the rotation axes are spaced apart from each other by a certain distance in parallel and spaced from each other by a certain distance in the direction along these rotation axes. The connecting element that supports can be in the simplest form.

  If a plurality of grounding claws are provided at the lower ends of each of the two canes, when the cane is in a state of being grounded by the plurality of claws, the canes in the separation direction of the plurality of claws Since a reaction force is generated against the tilt of the cane, the posture of the cane is stable when the cane is pushed. If there are four such claws on each cane, these four claws are arranged radially, so that when the cane is in contact with the four claws, the cane is against the tilting of the cane. Force can be generated in all directions from front to back and from side to side. Further, if the attachment angle of the nail with respect to the cane can be adjusted, the tilt angle of the cane in which the plurality of claws are grounded can be changed according to the preference of each user.

  The connecting position between the intermediate portion of the first cane and the one end portion of the connecting element and the connecting position between the intermediate portion of the second cane and the other end portion of the connecting element are along the respective canes. If it can be changed, the first and second canes are connected to each other by the connecting element and the first and second radial thrust bearings. On the other hand, it is possible to make an adjustment that better suits each user's physique and preferences with respect to the manner in which they are guided to each other in a manner similar to the stepping forward.

  If the total length of each of the two wands can be changed, the two eccentric wands as described above can be better adapted to users with different heights.

It is the front view, side view, and top view which show from one of the 3 directions to which one Example of the eccentric rotation connection two cane by this invention orthogonally crosses. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the radial thrust bearing in the eccentric rotation connection two cane shown in FIG. It is a side view which illustrates the state which the 1st and 2nd cane in the eccentric rotation connection 2 cane shown in FIG. 1 rotates with respect to a connection element by the 1st and 2nd radial thrust bearing. It is the schematic which shows one of the use states of the eccentric rotation connection two cane shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the state which the use condition of the eccentric rotation connection two cane progressed somewhat from the use condition shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the state which the use condition of the eccentric rotation connection two cane progressed somewhat from the use condition shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the state which the use condition of the eccentric rotation connection two cane progressed somewhat from the use condition shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows another one Example of a connection element. The case where a plurality of grounding claws are provided at the lower ends of the two canes is shown in the embodiment in which four claws are provided at the lower ends of the two canes in the embodiment shown in FIG. It is a front view, a side view, and a plan view. It is the schematic which shows one of the use states of the eccentric rotation connection two cane shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the state which the use condition of the eccentric rotation connection two cane progressed somewhat from the use condition shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the state which the use condition of the eccentric rotation connection two cane progressed somewhat from the use condition shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the state which the use condition of the eccentric rotation connection two cane progressed somewhat from the use condition shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 1 showing a front view, a side view, and a plan view in three directions of one embodiment of an eccentric rotation connecting two cane according to the present invention, 10 and 12 are the first and second described above, respectively. It is a cane. These may be identical to each other. The canes 10 and 12 include grip portions 14 and 16 that are gripped by hands, and upper half portions 18 and 20 that are integrally formed therewith. The upper half portions 18 and 20 of each cane are each configured as a tubular hollow member, and the lower half portions 22 and 24 of the cane are slidably inserted from the lower ends of the cane portions, and are fastened by the thumb screws 26 and 28. Thus, the overall length of each cane can be adjusted within a certain range.

  Radial thrust bearings 30 and 32 are respectively attached to the intermediate portions located in the upper half portions 18 and 20 of the canes 10 and 12 at one bearing seat portion. Although the radial thrust bearings 30 and 32 are the first and second radial thrust bearings described above, the two radial thrust bearings may be identical to each other. A connecting element 34 is bridged between the canes 10 and 12, and the connecting element is fixed at one end thereof to the other bearing seat portion of the radial thrust bearing 30 and at the other end radial. The thrust bearing 32 is fixed to the other bearing seat portion. The connecting element 34 supports the radial thrust bearing 30 and extends along the rotation axis thereof, and the second arm portion 38 supports the radial thrust bearing 32 and extends along the rotation axis thereof. It is a crank type member which has.

  The radial thrust bearings 30 and 32 are arranged along an annular groove 44 formed by the peripheral portions of one bearing seat 40 and the other bearing seat 42 as shown by one longitudinal section along the rotation axis in FIG. A series of balls 46 arranged in a ring form a ball bearing that rolls in the ring groove. The bearing seat 40 and the bearing seat 42 are guided relative to each other by a stop shaft 50 along the rotation shaft end 48 of the bearing at the respective central hub portions so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and are separated relative to each other along the rotation axis. Movement is restricted. The bearing seat 40 is provided with a through hole 52 that allows the upper half portions 18 and 20 of the canes 10 and 12 to pass loosely, and the bearing seat 40 is selectively provided in the upper half portion of each cane that is passed through the through hole. A fixed thumbscrew 54 is provided. The bearing seat 42 is formed with a hole 56 for inserting and fixing one end of the arm portions 36 and 38 of the connecting element 34.

  As can be understood from the front view, the side view, and the plan view of FIG. 1 viewed from three directions orthogonal to each other, the rotational axis of the radial thrust bearing 30 and the rotational axis of the radial thrust bearing 32 are parallel to each other; The radial thrust bearings 30 and 32 are spaced apart from each other by a fixed distance in the direction along their rotational axes. In this manner, the two canes 10 and 12 are connected to each other through the radial thrust bearings 30 and 32 by the connecting element 30 at the intermediate portion thereof, so that the canes 10 and 12 can each be radial as shown in FIG. When viewed in a side view along the rotation axis of the thrust bearings 30 and 32, they can freely rotate around the rotation axis of the radial thrust bearings 30 and 32 in the direction along the drawing sheet. .

  FIG. 4 shows one of the usage states of the eccentric rotation connecting two canes described above. When the user moves forward from this state, as shown in FIG. 5, the cane 10 is lifted while being tilted in a direction to tilt slightly forward, and the intermediate portion of the cane 10 connected to the radial thrust bearing 30 is connected to the radial thrust bearing 32. What is necessary is just to rotate around the intermediate part of the connected cane 12 toward the front. When the operation of such a cane further proceeds, the use state of the two canes passes through the state shown in FIG. 6 to the state shown in FIG. The state shown in FIG. 7 is a state in which the left and right are opposite to the state shown in FIG. In order for the user to advance further than this, the process shown in FIGS. Such movement of the canes 10 and 12 is similar to the movement of a person stepping forward on one foot with respect to the other foot during walking, whereby the user grasps both the canes 10 and 12. The arm and both legs will make a walk similar to a quadrupedal walk, and both legs will assist the fall of both legs and walk with a cane with high stability.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view showing another embodiment of a connecting element that may be used in place of the connecting element 34 shown in FIG. The connecting element 34a is a slanted member having an inclined shaft extending linearly between one end supporting the radial thrust bearing 30 and the other end supporting the radial thrust bearing 32, and the rotation axes are mutually connected. It is the simplest form for supporting the radial thrust bearings 30 and 32 in a relationship spaced apart from each other in parallel by a certain distance and spaced apart from each other by a certain distance in the direction along these rotational axes. As long as the rotational axes are spaced apart from each other by a fixed distance in parallel with each other and the radial thrust bearings 30 and 32 are supported in a relationship spaced apart from each other by a fixed distance in the direction along these rotational axes, In addition, various shapes may be used.

  FIG. 9 is a front view, a side view, and a plan view showing an embodiment in which four claws are provided at the lower ends of the two canes in the embodiment shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 are assigned to the portions corresponding to the portions shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, four grounding claws 58FR, 58FL, 58RR, 58RL and claws 60FR, 60FL, 60RR, 60RL are provided at the lower ends of the cane 10 and the cane 12, respectively. However, the claws 58FR, 58FL, 58RR, and 58RL are integrally joined to each other at the base portion thereof, and are configured as a part of a single leg-shaped leg member 62. Similarly, the claws 60FR, 60FL, 60RR, 60RL is also integrally joined to each other at the base portion thereof, and is configured as a part of one leg member 64 having a bird's-leg shape. The foot members 62 and 64 can be pivoted within a certain angular range by pivots 66 and 68 at the lower ends of the canes 10 and 12, respectively, so that the attachment angles of these claws to the cane can be adjusted within a certain range. It is attached and can be tightened by wing nuts 70 and 72 at an arbitrary angular position within the angular range. In the illustrated embodiment, a plate-like hinge portion protruding from the upper ends of the foot members 62 and 64 is sandwiched between the bifurcated hinge portions of the foot member attaching members 74 and 76 fixed to the lower end of the cane. The nuts 70 and 72 are tightened with screws formed at one end of the pivots 66 and 68 that pass through the overlapping portions, so that the plate-like hinge portions of the foot members 62 and 64 are pivoted on the pivots 66 and 68. By being strongly pressed between the bifurcated hinge portions of the attachment members 74 and 76, the tilt angle between them is fixed.

  9 is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 for the eccentric rotating connection double cane shown in FIG. It may be used as shown. In this case, when the canes 10 and 12 are in contact with the ground or the floor surface with four claws, the canes 10 and 12 are resistant to tilting in all directions including front and rear, left and right. For a cane user who has a weak sense of balance, a more stable support can be provided than in the case of the double cane eccentric connecting cane shown in FIG.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to one embodiment and some of its variations, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiment within the scope of the present invention. Will.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,12 ... Cane, 14,16 ... Grasping part, 18, 20 ... Upper half part, 22, 24 ... Lower half part, 26, 28 ... Thumb screw, 30, 32 ... Radial thrust bearing, 34 ... Connecting element, 36 , 38 ... arm part, 40, 42 ... bearing seat, 44 ... annular groove, 46 ... ball, 48 ... rotating shaft end, 50 ... stop shaft, 52 ... through hole, 54 ... thumbscrew, 56 ... hole, 58FR, 58FL, 58RR, 58RL ... claw, 60FR, 60FL, 60RR, 60RL ... claw, 62, 64 ... foot member, 66, 68 ... pivot, 70, 72 ... wing nut, 74, 76 ... foot member mounting member

Claims (9)

  Two wands and a connecting element for connecting the two wands to each other, and the connecting element has an intermediate portion of the first wand of the two wands and a first one at one end thereof. The first radial thrust is connected via a radial thrust bearing and connected at the other end to an intermediate portion of the second cane of the two canes via a second radial thrust bearing. The rotation axis of the bearing and the rotation axis of the second radial thrust bearing are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other by a certain distance, and the first and second radial thrust bearings are connected to the rotation axis. An eccentric rotationally connected two cane characterized by being spaced apart from each other by a fixed distance.   2. The ball bearing according to claim 1, wherein the first and second radial thrust bearings are ball bearings in which a series of balls arranged annularly along an annular groove roll in the annular groove. Eccentric rotation connecting two canes.   The connecting element supports the first radial thrust bearing and supports a first arm portion extending along a rotation axis of the first radial thrust bearing and the second radial thrust bearing. 3. The eccentric rotation connecting two canes according to claim 1 or 2, which is a crank type member having a second arm portion extending along a rotation axis of the second radial thrust bearing.   The connecting element has an inclined shaft extending linearly between a first end supporting the first radial thrust bearing and a second end supporting the second radial thrust bearing. The eccentric rotating connection two cane according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cane is an oblique member.   The eccentric rotating joint two canes according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a plurality of grounding claws are provided at the lower ends of the two canes.   The eccentric rotating and connecting two canes according to claim 5, wherein the number of the claws in each of the two canes is four.   The eccentric rotation connecting two canes according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the claw in each of the two canes can be adjusted with respect to an angle of attachment to the cane.   The connecting position between the intermediate portion of the first cane and the one end of the connecting element and the connecting position between the intermediate portion of the second cane and the other end of the connecting element are along the respective canes. The eccentric rotating connection two cane according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cane is changeable.   The eccentric rotating joint two canes according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each of the two canes can be changed in total length.

Images