JP3920512B2

JP3920512B2 - Cane

Info

Publication number: JP3920512B2
Application number: JP32430899A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 眞一上村
Original assignee: アイワ産業株式会社
Priority date: 1999-11-15
Filing date: 1999-11-15
Publication date: 2007-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 2019-11-15
Also published as: JP2001137024A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、使用者の体格等に合わせて無段階に長さ調節可能な杖に関し、特に使用者が右利きであっても、左利きであても、同様な使い勝手が得られる杖に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
無段階に長さ調節可能な杖として、例えば、本出願人が提案した長さ調節装置（特公平７−４９００４号公報参照）を備えた杖を例示できる。この調節装置は、円錐状周面を有する円錐体の中心にネジ軸を一体に突設したネジ体を、下部パイプの上端に固着し、このネジ体のネジ軸に周方向に拡開弾性を備えた円筒状の制動部材を螺合する。そして、偏心回動するカム円板を設け、下部パイプを回動することによりカム円板を上部パイプの内周面に圧接させて上部パイプを回らないように制動する。同時に、円錐体の円錐状周面で制動部材を拡開させて上部パイプの内周面に圧接させることにより上部パイプと下部パイプを固定するように構成されている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、上記調節装置は、カム円板を必要として構造が複雑であると共に、組立に手間が掛かり、製造コストが高くなっている。また、カム円板を取着するためのネジが緩んだり、脱落して、使用不能となることもある。更に、上部パイプと下部パイプとを固定する場合にその下部パイプを回す方向が一方向に設定されているため、使用者の利き手によっては使い勝手が悪くなっている。即ち、右回転方向に設定され、左利きの使用者にとって使い辛くなっていたり、左回転方向に設定され、右利きの使用者にとって使い辛くなっている。
【０００４】
本各発明は、上記各問題点を解決するためになされたものであり、右利きの使用者であっても、左利きの使用者であても、同様な使い勝手が得られると共に、構造が簡単で、安価に製造できる杖を提供することを目的とする。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１の発明の杖は、複数のパイプを連結して構成される杖本体を備え、該杖本体を構成する各パイプ間の連結を雌側パイプに雄側パイプを挿入して行う杖において、外周面に雄ネジ部が設けられたネジ体を有すると共に前記雄側パイプの挿入始端部に配設される回動部材と、拡開弾性を有する略円筒状の外形に構成され、前記雌側パイプに摺動状態で挿入されると共に、前記雄ネジ部に螺合する雌ネジ部が内周面に設けられ、更に、両端部側に各端面方向に内径を漸次、縮径する厚肉部が設けられた制動部材と、を備え、前記雄側パイプの回動により、前記ネジ体の何れか一方の端部側を、前記制動部材の何れか一方の厚肉部に圧入し、該何れか一方の厚肉部を拡開させて前記雌側パイプの内周面に圧接することにより、前記雌側パイプと前記雄側パイプとを固定し、前記雌ネジ部を前記制動部材の軸方向中間部に設けると共に、前記制動部材における前記雌ネジ部と前記厚肉部との間の部位に薄肉部を設けることを特徴とする。
【０００６】
本発明の杖では、雌側パイプと雄側パイプとを軸心方向に相対移動させて杖本体の全長を所望の長さに調節する。そして、雄側パイプを雌側パイプに対して回動させると、ネジ体の何れか一方の端部側が制動部材の何れか一方の厚肉部に圧入するため、この厚肉部が拡開してその外周面が雌側パイプの内周面に圧接する。従って、回動部材と制動部材とを介在として、雌側パイプと雄側パイプとが固定され、杖本体の全長が所望の長さに維持される。
【０００７】
このように、本発明の杖では、雄側パイプを左右何れの方向に回転させても、パイプ間の固定を行うことができるため、右利きの使用者であっても、左利きの使用者であても、同様な使い勝手が得られる。また、本発明によると、回動部材と制動部材とを主体とする単純な構造によって、杖本体の長さ調節機構を構成するため、構造が簡単で、製造コストが安価な杖が得られる。
【０００８】
ところで、本出願人は、使用者の利き手に係わらず、同様な使い勝手を備えた杖を得るための「長さ調節装置」を既に提案している（特願平１０−１５２０７６号）。この長さ調節装置杖は、「円錐状周面を有する上部と下部の２つの円錐体を互いの円錐状周面が対向するようにネジ軸の両端に設けてなるネジ体を雄側パイプ（下部パイプ）の上端に固着すると共に、周方向に拡開弾性を備えた円筒状の制動部材をネジ体のネジ軸に螺合して構成されること」を主要な構成とするものである。
【０００９】
この提案に係るネジ体においては、その強度・剛性を十分に維持する上で、ネジ軸の外径を十分なものとすることが必要となる。しかも、このネジ体は、この十分な外径を備えたネジ軸の両端に、更に大径の円錐体を備える構造であるため、ネジ体全体の外径は大きくなり易い。そして、この提案に係る制動部材は、このネジ体に外装されるものであるため、ネジ体よりも更に外径が大きくなる。従って、この提案に係る「長さ調節装置」は、内径が小さなパイプ等に対して好適に内蔵できない可能性がある。
【００１０】
一方、本発明に係る回動部材では、ネジ体の両端側に大径部を設ける必要がないため、回動部材全体の外径、ひいては、これに外装される制動部材の外径を小さくすることもできる。即ち、本発明によると、回動部材や制動部材の外径選択の自由度が高くなるため、大小、種々の内径を備えるパイプ間の連結に好適に適用できる。
【００１１】
ここで、本発明の「杖」の種類は種々選択でき、例えば、老人や身体障害者等が用いる携帯用若しくは医療用の杖の他に、登山用若しくはハイキング用の杖（トレッキング用のストック）、スキー用の杖（スキー用のストック）等のレジャー用の杖等を例示できる。
【００１２】
また、本発明では、上記「制動部材」を略円筒状の外形に形成された単体の部材を用いて構成してもよいが、複数の部材を略円筒状の外形に組み合わせて構成することが好ましい。単体の部材を用いて構成すると、その両端部側に存在する厚肉部のために、回動部材に対して円滑に外装することが困難な場合があるからである。また、厚肉部の内部空間形状は種々選択できるが、ネジ体の圧入をより円滑に行う上では、例えば、円錐形状、半楕円形状、半球面形状等のように、なだらかな内部空間形状とすることが好ましい。更に、制動部材の拡開弾性としては、（１）制動部材の材質や形状に起因して生ずる拡開弾性、（２）制動部材に付加される弾性部材等に起因して生ずる拡開弾性、（３）制動部材の材質や形状と共に、制動部材に付加される弾性部材等に起因して生ずる拡開弾性を例示できる。
【００１３】
また、本発明では、上記「ネジ体」の外形を略直管状等としてもよいが、圧肉部への圧入をより円滑に行う上で、両端部側に各端面方向に外径を漸次、縮径する逃がし面を設けたものとすることが好ましい。尚、本発明の制動部材の雌ネジ部や、本発明のネジ体の雄ネジ部は、各軸方向全体に渡って形成されても、各軸方向中間部のみに集中的に形成されてもよい。但し、ネジ体が上死点（前死点）に移動したり、下死点（後死点）に移動したときにも、確実な螺合状態を維持できる範囲にて、この雄ネジ部と雌ネジ部とを設けることが必要となる。
【００１４】
請求項２の発明では、請求項１に記載の杖において、「前記雄ネジ部と、前記雌ネジ部との間にクリアランスを設けた」ことを特徴としている。
請求項２の発明では、意識的に設けられたクリアランスによって、回動部材の雄ネジ部と、制動部材の雌ネジ部との間の接触抵抗を小さくする。このため、雌側パイプと雄側パイプとを固定する際に、雄側パイプに与えるべき回動力（トルク）を小さくできる。
【００１５】
また、仮にこのクリアランスを排除すると、雄ネジ部と雌ネジ部との間の密着性が高くなり、両者間の接触抵抗が大きくなるため、上記固定を行う際に、制動部材が、雌側パイプの内周面との間に働く摩擦力等に打ち勝って、回動部材と一体で回動する可能性もある。一方、請求項２の発明によると、この雄ネジ部と雌ネジ部との間の接触抵抗が小さくなるため、かかる不具合を生じ難い。このように、請求項２の発明によると、各パイプに与えるべき、操作力を小さくできるため、以下のような効果が得られる。例えば、杖本体の長さ調節は、握力が弱くなった老人、手袋等を着用している使用者、指先の自由がきかない者（身体障害者）等によってなされることもある。そして、請求項２の発明に係る杖であれば、これらの者にとっても、杖本体の長さ調節を円滑に行うことができる点で大きな意義を有している。
【００１６】
ここで、この「クリアランス」の好適な範囲を、雄ネジ部（雌ネジ部）の直径（半径）に沿った長さで示すと、０．８〜１．６ｍｍ（０．４〜０．８ｍｍ）程度である。０．８ｍｍ（０．４ｍｍ）未満では、クリアランスが過小となり、請求項２の発明の目的を十分に達成できない恐れがあり、１．６ｍｍ（０．８ｍｍ）を越えると、雄ネジ部と雌ネジ部の間のガタツキが過大となり、ネジ体の円滑な螺進が困難となる恐れがあるからである。
【００１７】
また、請求項１に記載の杖において、「前記雌ネジ部を前記制動部材の軸方向中間部に設けると共に、前記制動部材における前記雌ネジ部と前記厚肉部との間の部位に薄肉部を設けた」ことを特徴としている。
各厚肉部が軸方向中間部を支点として拡開方向に、たわみ易くなる。従って、雄側パイプに与える回動力（トルク）を小さくしても、各厚肉部を拡開させることが容易なため、杖本体の長さ調節をより円滑に行うことができる。
【００１８】
請求項３の発明では、請求項１又は２に記載の杖において「前記制動部材の両端部側を、軸心を通過するスリット状の分割溝によって周方向に沿って略等分割した」ことを特徴としている。
請求項３の発明によると、制動部材の厚肉部をその軸心を中心としてより等方的に拡開させることが可能となるため、各パイプ間の固定をより円滑かつ確実に行うことができる。
【００１９】
また、複数のパイプを連結して構成される杖本体を備え、該杖本体を構成する各パイプ間の連結を雌側パイプに雄側パイプを挿入して行う杖において、外周面に雄ネジ部が設けられたネジ体を有すると共に前記雄側パイプの挿入始端部に配設される回動部材と、拡開弾性を備えた略円筒状の外形に構成され、前記雌側パイプに摺動状態で挿入されると共に、前記雄ネジ部にクリアランスを維持した状態で螺合する雌ネジ部が内周面に設けられた制動部材と、を備え、前記ネジ体の両端部側の外径を前記制動部材の両端部側の内径に比べて相対的に大きくし、前記雄側パイプの回動により、前記ネジ体の何れか一方の端部側を、前記制動部材の何れか一方の端部側に圧入し、該制動部材の何れか一方の端部側を拡開させて前記雌側パイプの内周面に圧接することにより、前記雌側パイプと前記雄側パイプとを固定することができる。
【００２０】
前述の請求項２と同様に、回動部材の雄ネジ部と制動部材の雌ネジ部との間に意識的にクリアランスを設けることで、各パイプ間の固定をより円滑に行うことを意図している。また、前記「クリアランス」の好適な範囲を、雄ネジ部（雌ネジ部）の直径（半径）に沿った長さで示すと、請求項２と同様の理由により、０．８〜１．６ｍｍ（０．４〜０．８ｍｍ）程度である。
【００２１】
ここで、具体的態様を例示すると、（ａ）制動部材の両端部側に、各端面方向に内径を漸次、縮径する厚肉部を形成し、ネジ体の両端部側の外径を制動部材の両端部側の内径に比べて相対的に大きくする態様、（ｂ）ネジ体の両端部側に、各端面方向に外径を漸次、拡径する大径部を設け、ネジ体の両端部側の外径を制動部材の両端部側の内径に比べて相対的に大きくする態様、（ｃ）制動部材の一端部側に、一端面方向に内径を漸次、縮径する厚肉部を形成すると共に、ネジ体の他端部側に、他端面方向に外径を漸次、拡径する大径部を設け、ネジ体の両端部側の外径を制動部材の両端部側の内径に比べて相対的に大きくする態様、（ｄ）制動部材の両端部側に、各端面方向に内径を漸次、縮径する厚肉部を形成すると共に、ネジ体の両端部側に、各端面方向に外径を漸次、拡径する大径部を設け、ネジ体の両端部側の外径を制動部材の両端部側の内径に比べて相対的に大きくする態様、等を例示できる。
【００２２】
尚、このような杖に対しても、請求項３の発明を応用することができる。即ち、前記雌ネジ部を前記制動部材の軸方向中間部に設けると共に、前記制動部材における前記雌ネジ部と前記厚肉部との間の部位に薄肉部を設けてもよい。また、前記制動部材の両端部側を、軸心を通過するスリット状の分割溝によって周方向に沿って略等分割してもよい。
【００２３】
【発明の実施の形態】
次に、本各発明の実施の形態を述べる。
Ａ．実施の形態１
本実施の形態は、請求項１〜請求項３の発明の実施の形態を示している。そして、本実施の形態の杖１は、図１に示すように、杖本体２と、取っ手７とを備えている。尚、取っ手７は杖本体２の上端部に一体的形成されるものであっても、杖本体２とは別体に形成された後に、ネジ止め、接着等の種々の手法により、杖本体２の上端部に一体化とされるものであってもよい。
【００２４】
杖本体２は、最上部に配置される上部パイプ（例えば、軽合金製）２Ａと、中間部に配置される中間パイプ（例えば、軽合金製）２Ｂと、最下部に配置される下部パイプ（例えば、軽合金製）２Ｃとを連結して構成されている。そして、本例においては、上部パイプ２Ａ及び中間パイプ２Ｂの連結に際し、雌側パイプ２Ｗとしての上部パイプ２Ａに対して、雄側パイプ２Ｍとしての中間パイプ２Ｂが挿入されている。また、中間パイプ２Ｂ及び下部パイプ２Ｃの連結に際しては、雌側パイプ２Ｗとしての中間パイプ２Ｂに対して、雄側パイプ２Ｍとしての下部パイプ２Ｃが挿入されている。
【００２５】
但し、各パイプ間の連結態様は本例に限定されず、例えば、下方に配置されるパイプ２Ｂ（２Ｃ）を「雌側パイプ２Ｗ」とし、上方に配置されるパイプ２Ａ（２Ｂ）を「雄側パイプ２Ｍ」として本各発明を適用してもよい。また、本例では、上部及び中間のパイプ２Ａ、２Ｂの各下端部にグリップ２１を設け、下部パイプ２Ｃの下端部に支持部２２を設けているが、杖本体２を構成する各パイプの構造は本例に限定されない。更に、本例では、３本のパイプを用いて構成する杖本体２を例示するが、杖本体２を構成するパイプの数は２本以上であれば特に問わない。
【００２６】
次に、図２及び３を中心にして、この杖本体２に内蔵される回動部材３と制動部材５について説明する。先ず、回動部材３（例えば、樹脂製）は、外周面の略全体に右ネジ状の雄ネジ部３２を設けたネジ体３１と、ネジ体３１の下端面より垂下する小径の連結部３３と、連結部３３の下端面より垂下する大径の固定部３４とを備えている。また、このネジ体３１の上下両端側に面取りが施され、略円錐台状周面の逃がし面Ｅ、Ｅを形成している。そして、この回動部材３は、その固定部３４を雄側パイプ２Ｍの挿入始端部２５に嵌合固着している。尚、本例では、回動部材３を、例えば、ポリアセタール等の摺動性が高く、しかも、高剛性な素材を用いて構成している。また、本例では、回動部材３を雄側パイプ２Ｍに事後的に固着しているが、雄側パイプ２Ｍを作製する際に、回動部材３を一体で形成してもよい。
【００２７】
一方、制動部材（例えば、ＡＢＳ等の高弾性を備えた樹脂製）５は、一対の半円筒体５１、５１を略円筒状に組み合わせて構成されている。そして、この制動部材５が弾性素材を用いて構成されると共に、周回溝５２に環状バネ５３が嵌着されるため、周方向への拡開弾性を備えている。また、各半円筒体５１、５１の内周面の軸方向中間部には、制動部材５の内周面の軸方向中間部に、前述の雄ネジ部３２が螺合可能な雌ネジ部５５を形成するための雌ネジ溝が形成されている。但し、図４（ａ）に示すように、この雌ネジ部５５と、雄ネジ部３２との間には、直径（半径）に沿って、０．８〜１．６ｍｍ（０．４〜０．８ｍｍ）程度のクリアランスＤが設けられている。
【００２８】
更に、制動部材５の上下両端部側は、各端面方向に内径を漸次、縮径する厚肉部５６とされている。尚、この厚肉部５６の内部空間形状は、半楕円球状とされており、この厚肉部５６の内壁面Ｔの傾斜は、前述の逃がし面Ｅの傾斜よりもなだらかとされ、厚肉部５６の奥端側の内径が逃がし面Ｅの端末側の外径よりも小さくなっている。
【００２９】
また、この制動部材５では、雌ネジ部５５と厚肉部５６との間の部分の内径を拡大して薄肉部５７を形成している。更に、各半円筒体５１、５１の上下両端部側には、各端面で開口するスリット状の分割溝Ｓが軸心を通過する状態に設けられ、各半円筒体５１、５１はその周方向に沿って略二等分されている。尚、本例では、両半円筒体５１、５１間を略ヒンジ状の連結片Ｒによって連結しているため、両半円筒体５１、５１の取り扱いが容易となる。例えば、制動部材５を杖本体２より取り外したときに、両半円筒体５１、５１が別体であると、各半円筒体５１、５１を不用意に紛失する可能性が高くなるが、両半円筒体５１、５１を連結片Ｒによって一体化する本例によると、この可能性を低くできる。
【００３０】
次に、本杖１の組付の手順の１例を述べる。先ず、図２に示すように、ネジ体３１に対して、制動部材５を装着する。この装着は、一対の半円筒体５１、５１によってネジ体３１を外装しつつ、この半円筒体５１、５１を組み合わせた後に、周回溝５２に環状バネ５３を嵌着することによって行われる。この際、制動部材５の雌ネジ部５５は、ネジ体３１の雄ネジ部３２と螺合する状態とされる。
【００３１】
そして、図３に示すように、この制動部材５及び回動部材３を備える「雄側パイプ２Ｍ」を、雌側パイプ２Ｗに挿入すると、本杖１の組付を完了する。このとき、制動部材５は、その外周面を雌側パイプ２Ｗの内周面に軽く接触させるため、その外周面を摺動面として、雌側パイプ２Ｗの内周面に対して摺動可能ではあるが、雌側パイプ２Ｗとの間に相対的な回動を起こし難くなっている。
【００３２】
また、本例では、この組付時に、図４（ｂ）に示すように、一対の半円筒体５１、５１の対向面５８、５８が衝合しない。即ち、この衝合しない対向面５８、５８間に、制動部材５の軸心を通過するスリット状の分割溝Ｎが形成される。そして、この分割溝Ｎと、前述の分割溝Ｓとが略直交しているため、制動部材５の上下両端部側は、周方向に沿って略四等分された状態となっている。尚、制動部材５の両端部側を等分割する際の分割数は２分割以上であれば特に問わないが、３〜８分割程度とすることが特に好ましい。２分割では、分割溝Ｎ、Ｓを設けた効果が少なく、９分割以上とすると、制動部材５の強度低下を招く恐れがあるからである。更に、本各発明においては、本例と異なり、対向面５８、５８を衝合させる態様を採用することもできる。
【００３３】
次に、本杖１の使用例を示す。先ず、図３に示すように、ネジ体３１が制動部材５の略中央に位置しているときには、雄側パイプ２Ｍは雌側パイプ２Ｗに対して摺動自在である。従って、雄側パイプ２Ｍの雌側パイプ２Ｗに対する挿入量を調節すれば、杖本体２の長さ調節を無段階に行うことができる。そして、杖本体２を所望の長さとしたところで、雌側パイプ２Ｗと雄側パイプ２Ｍとの固定が行われる。
【００３４】
また、図５は、右利きの使用者にとって好適な使用例を示している。例えば、雌側パイプ２Ｗを左手で握ると共に、雄側パイプ２Ｍを右手で握って右方向に回転する。このとき、制動部材５の外周面と、雌側パイプ２Ｗの内周面とが接触し、制動部材５が回らないように制動されているため、ネジ体３１が上方へと螺進し、上方の厚肉部５６の内壁面Ｔに上方の逃がし面Ｅが接触する。
【００３５】
そして、本例では、ネジ体３１の上端部側の外径が、上方の厚肉部５６の内径よりも大きいため、ネジ体３１の上端部側が、この厚肉部５６に圧入され、この厚肉部５６が拡開する。これにより、この厚肉部５６の外周面が、雌側パイプ２Ｗの内周面に強く圧接され、雌側パイプ２Ｗと雄側パイプ２Ｍとが確実に固定される。尚、本例では、厚肉部５６の内壁面Ｔと、逃がし面Ｅとをなだらかな傾斜面によって構成しているため、ネジ体３１の各端部側の圧入が、特に円滑に行われる。
【００３６】
一方、図６は、左利きの使用者にとって好適な使用例を示している。例えば、雌側パイプ２Ｗを右手で握ると共に、雄側パイプ２Ｍを左手で握って左方向に回転する。そして、ネジ体３１の下端部側の外径が、下方の厚肉部５６の内径よりも大きいため、この下方の厚肉部５６が拡開し、雌側パイプ２Ｗと雄側パイプ２Ｍとが確実に固定される。
【００３７】
このように、本杖１によると、使用者の利き手によらず、同様な使い勝手が得られる。また、本例では、（１）図４（ａ）に示すように、ネジ体３１の雄ネジ部３２と、制動部材５の雌ネジ部５５との間に適度なクリアランスＤが設けられ、（２）制動部材５が薄肉部５７を有すると共に、（３）図４（ｂ）に図示するように、制動部材５の両端部側が、分割溝Ｎ、Ｓによって略等分割された状態となっているため、この固定作業を特に円滑に行うことができる。
【００３８】
即ち、上記（１）の如く、適度なクリアランスＤを設ければ、制動部材５の雌ネジ部５５と、ネジ体３１の雄ネジ部３２との間の接触抵抗が小さくなるため、雄側パイプ２Ｍに加えられる回転力（トルク）が小さくても、ネジ体３１を円滑に螺進させることができる。しかも、このクリアランスＤの存在下で、ネジ体３１を螺進させると、制動部材５へと回転力（トルク）が伝達され難くなるため、制動部材５は、雌側パイプ２Ｗの内周面との摩擦力等によって静止状態を確実に維持する。換言すると、制動部材５がネジ体３１に追随して回動することが適宜抑制される。更に、雌ネジ部５５と、雄ネジ部３２との間に適度なガタツキを有するため、制動部材５の各端部側がたわみ易くなる。従って、使用者は、雄側パイプ２Ｍに、小さな回転力（トルク）を加えるだけで、上記固定作業を円滑に行うことができる。
【００３９】
また、本例では、上記（２）の如く、制動部材５が薄肉部５７を有し、しかも、上記（３）の如く、制動部材５の両端部側が分割されている。このため、制動部材５の両端部側においては、分割溝Ｎ、Ｓによって分割される部分が、あたかも、雌ネジ部５５を支持端する「梁」のような形態を有することになる。このように、制動部材５の両端部側が拡開容易な形態を有するため、この点からも、使用者が雄側パイプ２Ｍに与えるべき、操作力を小さくできる。
【００４０】
更に、本例では、制動部材５の両端部側が、分割溝Ｎ、Ｓによって略等分割され、この分割された部分の各々が、図４（ｃ）に図示する仮想線のように、径方向へと拡開する。このため、制動部材５の各端部側を等方的に拡開することが容易となり、制動部材５の各端部側が周方向に沿って略均等な圧接力を発生させながら、雌側パイプ２Ｗの内周面をバランス良く、押圧する。従って、雌側パイプ２Ｗと雄側パイプ２Ｍとの固定状態がより確実、堅固となっている。
【００４１】
Ｂ．参考形態
図７（ａ）〜（ｃ）に示すように、本参考形態の杖１ａは、回動部材３ａ及び制動部材５ａの態様が異なること以外は、実施の形態１の杖１と同様である。
【００４２】
参考形態の回動部材３ａも、前述の実施の形態１の回動部材３と同様に、ネジ体３１ａと、ネジ体３１ａの下端面より垂下する固定部（図示を省略）とを備え、この固定部を雄側パイプ２Ｍの挿入始端部２５ａに嵌合固着している。一方、ネジ体３１ａが、各端面方向に外径を漸次、拡径する略円錐形状の大径部３８ａ、３８ａを上下両端部側に備え、両大径部３８ａ、３８ａの円周状周面３９ａ、３９ａを対向させている点が、実施の形態１の回動部材３と異なる。
【００４３】
また、参考形態の制動部材５ａも、前述の実施の形態１の制動部材５と同様に、一対の半円筒体５１ａ、５１ａを略円筒状に組み合わせて構成されている。そして、樹脂等の弾性素材を用いて構成されると共に、周回溝５２ａに環状バネ５３ａを嵌着して拡開弾性を備えている。一方、制動部材５ａの内周面の略全体に、前述の回動部材３ａの雄ネジ部３２ａが螺合可能な雌ネジ部５５ａが形成されると共に、各端面方向に内径を漸次拡径して構成されるテーパ面５９ａ、５９ａが各端部側に設けられている点が、実施の形態１の制動部材５と異なる。
【００４４】
尚、参考形態においても、図７（ｂ）に示すように、雌ネジ部５５ａと雄ネジ部３２ａとの間には、直径（半径）に沿って、０．８〜１．６ｍｍ（０．４〜０．８ｍｍ）程度のクリアランスＤが設けられている。また、図７（ｃ）に示すように、両半円筒体５１ａ、５１ａ間を略ヒンジ状の連結片Ｒによって連結すると共に、制動部材５ａの上下両端部側を分割溝Ｎ、Ｓで略等分割している。
【００４５】
この杖１ａにおいても、雌側パイプ２Ｗを左手で握ると共に、雄側パイプ２Ｍを右手で握って右方向に回転すると、ネジ体３１ａが上方へと螺進する。このとき、ネジ体３１の下端部側の大径部３８ａが、制動部材５ａの下端部側の内径よりも大きいため、この大径部３８ａが下端部側のテーパ面５９ａに沿って、制動部材５ａに圧入され、制動部材５ａの下端部側が拡開する。一方、雌側パイプ２Ｗを右手で握ると共に、雄側パイプ２Ｍを左手で握って左方向に回転すると、ネジ体３１ａが下方へと螺進し、ネジ体３１の上端部側の大径部３８ａが、上端部側のテーパ面５９ａに沿って、制動部材５ａに圧入され、制動部材５ａの上端部側が拡開する。
【００４６】
従って、この杖１ａによっても、使用者の利き手によらず、同様な使い勝手が得られる。そして、この杖１ａにおいても、ネジ体３１ａの雄ネジ部３２ａと制動部材５ａの雌ネジ部５５ａとの間に適度なクリアランスＤが設けられているため、使用者は、雄側パイプ２Ｍに、小さな回転力（トルク）を加えるだけで、上記固定作業を行うことができる。更に、制動部材５ａの上下両端部側が、分割溝Ｎ、Ｓによって略等分割されているため、雌側パイプ２Ｗと雄側パイプ２Ｍとの固定状態がより確実、堅固なものとなる。
【００４７】
尚、参考形態においても、図８（ａ）に示すように、雌ネジ部５５ａと、上下両端部側との間に薄肉部５７ａを形成した制動部材５ａを用いてもよい。この態様によると、上記固定作業をより円滑に行うことができる。また、図８（ｂ）に示すように、制動部材５ａの一端部側に厚肉部５６ａを形成し、ネジ体３１ａの他方の端部側に大径部３８ａを設ける態様等も含まれる。
【００４８】
ここで、実施の形態１の杖１（以下、前者という。）と、参考形態の杖１ａ（以下、後者という。）とを比較すると、ネジ体３１ａの両端部側に大径部３８ａを備える分だけ、後者の方が、回動部材３ａ全体の外径と、これに外装される制動部材５ａの外径が大きくなり易い。このため、後者の場合には、内径が小さなパイプ間に内蔵することが困難な場合がある。即ち、前者の回動部材３及び制動部材５の方が、より広範囲な内径を備えたパイプ間に内蔵することができ、汎用性が高いと考えられる。
【００４９】
尚、本各発明の範囲は、上記発明の実施の形態に具体的に示したものに限定されず、本各発明の構成、目的の範囲内で種々の変形例を例示することができる。即ち、上記各実施の形態では、制動部材５、５ａと、雌側パイプ２Ｗとの間の相対的な回動抑制を主に両者間の摩擦を用いて行ったが、例えば、制動部材５、５ａの外周面と、雌側パイプ２Ｗの内周面をセレーション嵌合させて、この回動抑制を行うこと等もできる。
【００５０】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、請求項１〜請求項３の発明によると、右利きの使用者であっても、左利きの使用者であても、同様な使い勝手が得られると共に、構造が簡単で、安価に製造できる杖が得られる。また、右利きの使用者であっても、左利きの使用者であても、同様な使い勝手が得られると共に、構造が簡単で、安価に製造できる杖が得られる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】実施の形態１の杖の斜視図である。
【図２】図１の杖の分解斜視図である。
【図３】図１の杖の要部縦断面図（図４（ｂ）４−４縦断面図に相当）である
【図４】（ａ）は制動部材の雌ネジ部と回動部材の雄ネジ部との関係を示す概略的な一部縦断面図、（ｂ）は図３の３−３横断面図、（ｃ）は制動部材の拡開状態を模式的に示す横断面図である。
【図５】雄側パイプを右回転させた状態を示す要部縦断面図である。
【図６】雄側パイプを左回転させた状態を示す要部縦断面図である。
【図７】（ａ）は参考形態の要部縦断面図、（ｂ）は制動部材の雌ネジ部と回動部材の雄ネジ部との関係を示す概略的な一部縦断面図、（ｃ）は図７（ａ）の７−７横断面図である。
【図８】（ａ）は参考形態の変形例を示す要部縦断面図、（ｂ）は参考形態の変形例を示す要部縦断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１；杖、２；杖本体、２Ｗ；雌側パイプ、２Ｍ；雄側パイプ、２Ａ；上部パイプ、２Ｂ；中間パイプ、２Ｃ；下部パイプ、２１；グリップ、２２；支持部、２５；挿入始端部、３；回動部材、３１；ネジ体、３２；雄ネジ部、３３；連結部、３４；固定部、Ｅ；逃がし面、３８ａ；大径部、３９ａ；円周状周面、５；制動部材、５１；半円筒体、５２；周回溝、５３；環状バネ、５５；雌ネジ部、５６；厚肉部、５７；薄肉部、Ｓ；スリット、Ｒ；連結片、５８；対向面、Ｎ；隙間、５９ａ；テーパ面、７；取っ手。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cane whose length can be adjusted steplessly according to the user's physique and the like, and more particularly to a cane that provides the same usability regardless of whether the user is right-handed or left-handed. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a cane whose length can be adjusted steplessly, for example, a cane having a length adjusting device proposed by the present applicant (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-49004) can be exemplified. In this adjusting device, a screw body having a screw shaft integrally protruding at the center of a conical body having a conical circumferential surface is fixed to the upper end of the lower pipe, and the screw shaft of the screw body is expanded in the circumferential direction. The provided cylindrical braking member is screwed together. Then, an eccentric rotating cam disk is provided, and the lower pipe is rotated so that the cam disk is brought into pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the upper pipe to brake the upper pipe without turning. At the same time, the upper pipe and the lower pipe are fixed by expanding the braking member on the conical circumferential surface of the cone and press-contacting it with the inner circumferential surface of the upper pipe.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the adjusting device requires a cam disk, has a complicated structure, takes time for assembly, and increases the manufacturing cost. In addition, the screw for attaching the cam disk may be loosened or dropped, making it unusable. In addition, when the upper pipe and the lower pipe are fixed, the direction in which the lower pipe is rotated is set to one direction, so that it is not easy to use depending on the user's dominant hand. That is, it is set to the right rotation direction and is difficult to use for left-handed users, or is set to the left rotation direction and is difficult to use for right-handed users.
[0004]
Each of the present inventions has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and even if it is a right-handed user or a left-handed user, the same usability can be obtained and the structure is simple. An object of the present invention is to provide a cane that can be manufactured at low cost.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wand comprising a wand body configured by connecting a plurality of pipes, wherein the pipes constituting the wand body are connected by inserting a male side pipe into a female side pipe. A rotating member disposed on the insertion start end of the male pipe and a substantially cylindrical outer shape having expansion elasticity, and having a screw body having a male screw portion provided on the outer peripheral surface, A thick-walled portion that is inserted into the side pipe in a sliding state, has an internal threaded portion that is screwed into the male threaded portion, and further gradually reduces the inner diameter in the direction of each end surface on both end sides. A braking member provided with a portion, and by rotating the male side pipe, either one end side of the screw body is press-fitted into one thick portion of the braking member, The female side pipe is formed by expanding any one of the thick portions and press-contacting the inner peripheral surface of the female side pipe. Fixing the said male side pipeThe female screw portion is provided at an intermediate portion in the axial direction of the braking member, and a thin portion is provided at a portion of the braking member between the female screw portion and the thick portion.It is characterized by that.
[0006]
In the cane of the present invention, the overall length of the cane body is adjusted to a desired length by relatively moving the female side pipe and the male side pipe in the axial direction. When the male pipe is rotated with respect to the female pipe, either one end of the screw body is press-fitted into one thick part of the braking member, so that the thick part expands. The outer peripheral surface of the lever is in pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the female pipe. Therefore, the female side pipe and the male side pipe are fixed with the rotating member and the braking member interposed, and the overall length of the cane body is maintained at a desired length.
[0007]
In this way, in the cane of the present invention, since the pipe can be fixed even if the male pipe is rotated in either the left or right direction, even a right-handed user can use a left-handed user. Even if it is, the same usability can be obtained. In addition, according to the present invention, since the length adjustment mechanism of the wand body is configured by a simple structure mainly composed of the rotation member and the braking member, a wand having a simple structure and low manufacturing cost can be obtained.
[0008]
By the way, the present applicant has already proposed a “length adjusting device” for obtaining a cane having the same usability regardless of the user's handedness (Japanese Patent Application No. 10-152076). This length adjusting device cane has a threaded body in which two conical bodies having a conical circumferential surface are provided at both ends of a screw shaft so that the conical circumferential surfaces face each other. The main structure is that a cylindrical braking member fixed to the upper end of the lower pipe) and having expansion elasticity in the circumferential direction is screwed onto the screw shaft of the screw body.
[0009]
In the screw body according to this proposal, it is necessary to make the outer diameter of the screw shaft sufficient in order to sufficiently maintain the strength and rigidity. In addition, since the screw body has a structure having a larger cone at both ends of the screw shaft having a sufficient outer diameter, the outer diameter of the entire screw body tends to be large. And since the braking member concerning this proposal is exteriorized by this screw body, an outside diameter becomes still larger than a screw body. Therefore, there is a possibility that the “length adjusting device” according to this proposal cannot be suitably incorporated in a pipe having a small inner diameter.
[0010]
On the other hand, in the rotating member according to the present invention, since it is not necessary to provide large diameter portions on both ends of the screw body, the outer diameter of the entire rotating member, and hence the outer diameter of the braking member externally mounted on the rotating member is reduced. You can also. That is, according to the present invention, the degree of freedom in selecting the outer diameter of the rotating member and the braking member is increased, and therefore, the present invention can be suitably applied to connection between pipes having various sizes and sizes.
[0011]
Here, various types of the “cane” of the present invention can be selected. For example, in addition to a portable or medical cane used by an elderly person or a disabled person, a cane for mountain climbing or hiking (stock for trekking) Examples include leisure wands such as ski wands (ski stock).
[0012]
In the present invention, the “braking member” may be configured using a single member formed in a substantially cylindrical outer shape, but may be configured by combining a plurality of members in a substantially cylindrical outer shape. preferable. This is because, when configured using a single member, it may be difficult to smoothly cover the rotating member due to the thick portions existing on both ends. In addition, although the internal space shape of the thick part can be selected variously, in order to more smoothly press-fit the screw body, for example, a conical shape, a semi-elliptical shape, a hemispherical shape, etc. It is preferable to do. Further, the expansion elasticity of the braking member includes (1) expansion elasticity caused by the material and shape of the braking member, (2) expansion elasticity caused by the elastic member added to the braking member, (3) The expansion elasticity caused by the elastic member added to the braking member can be exemplified together with the material and shape of the braking member.
[0013]
Further, in the present invention, the outer shape of the above "screw body" may be a substantially straight tube or the like, but in order to more smoothly press-fit into the incline portion, the outer diameter is gradually increased in the direction of each end face on both end sides, It is preferable to provide a relief surface that reduces the diameter. The female threaded portion of the braking member of the present invention and the male threaded portion of the threaded body of the present invention may be formed over the entire axial direction, or may be formed intensively only in the respective intermediate portions in the axial direction. Good. However, even if the screw body moves to the top dead center (front dead center) or the bottom dead center (rear dead center), the male threaded part is within the range that can maintain a reliable screwed state. It is necessary to provide an internal thread portion.
[0014]
The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that the cane according to claim 1 is characterized in that “a clearance is provided between the male screw portion and the female screw portion”.
In the invention of claim 2, the contact resistance between the male threaded portion of the rotating member and the female threaded portion of the braking member is reduced by the consciously provided clearance. For this reason, when fixing a female side pipe and a male side pipe, the rotational force (torque) which should be given to a male side pipe can be made small.
[0015]
Further, if this clearance is eliminated, the adhesiveness between the male screw portion and the female screw portion is increased, and the contact resistance between the two is increased. Therefore, when performing the fixing, the braking member is connected to the female pipe. There is also a possibility that the frictional force acting between the inner peripheral surface and the like will be overcome to rotate integrally with the rotating member. On the other hand, according to the invention of claim 2, since the contact resistance between the male screw portion and the female screw portion becomes small, it is difficult to cause such a problem. Thus, according to the invention of claim 2, since the operating force to be applied to each pipe can be reduced, the following effects can be obtained. For example, the length of the cane body may be adjusted by an elderly person whose grip strength has weakened, a user wearing gloves, a person who does not have freedom of fingertips (a disabled person), and the like. And if it is the cane which concerns on invention of Claim 2, it has a great significance also to these persons at the point which can adjust the length of a cane body smoothly.
[0016]
Here, when a suitable range of the “clearance” is indicated by a length along the diameter (radius) of the male screw portion (female screw portion), it is 0.8 to 1.6 mm (0.4 to 0.8 mm). ) If it is less than 0.8 mm (0.4 mm), the clearance becomes too small and the object of the invention of claim 2 may not be sufficiently achieved. If it exceeds 1.6 mm (0.8 mm), the male screw portion and the female screw This is because the backlash between the parts becomes excessive, and smooth screwing of the screw body may be difficult.
[0017]
  Also,2. The cane according to claim 1, wherein “the female screw portion is provided in an intermediate portion in the axial direction of the braking member, and a thin portion is provided in a portion between the female screw portion and the thick portion in the braking member. It is characterized by that.
  Each thick part is easily bent in the expanding direction with the axially intermediate part as a fulcrum. Therefore, even if the rotational force (torque) applied to the male side pipe is reduced, it is easy to expand each thick portion, so that the length of the cane body can be adjusted more smoothly.
[0018]
  Claim3In the invention of claim 1,Or 2In the wand described above, “both ends of the braking member are substantially equally divided along the circumferential direction by slit-like dividing grooves that pass through the axis”.
  Claim3According to the invention, the thick part of the braking member can be expanded more isotropically with its axis as the center, so that the fixing between the pipes can be performed more smoothly and reliably.
[0019]
  Also,A cane body comprising a plurality of pipes connected to each other, and each pipe constituting the cane body is connected by inserting a male side pipe into a female side pipe. A rotating member disposed at the insertion start end of the male pipe and a substantially cylindrical outer shape having expansion elasticity, and is inserted into the female pipe in a sliding state. And a braking member having an inner peripheral surface provided with a female screw portion that is screwed in a state in which a clearance is maintained in the male screw portion, and has an outer diameter on both ends of the screw body. Is relatively larger than the inner diameters of the both end portions, and by rotating the male side pipe, any one end side of the screw body is press-fitted into any one end side of the braking member. Then, either one end side of the braking member is expanded to press the inner peripheral surface of the female side pipe. By, fixing the said and the female-side pipe male side pipeCan do.
[0020]
  As in the second aspect, it is intended that the pipes can be fixed more smoothly by consciously providing a clearance between the male screw portion of the rotating member and the female screw portion of the braking member. ing. Moreover, when the suitable range of the “clearance” is indicated by a length along the diameter (radius) of the male screw portion (female screw portion), it is 0.8 to 1.6 mm for the same reason as in claim 2. (0.4 to 0.8 mm).
[0021]
  Here, a specific example is illustrated. (A) On both end portions of the braking member, thick portions that gradually reduce and reduce the inner diameter in the direction of each end face are formed, and the outer diameters on both ends of the screw body are braked. A mode in which the member is relatively larger than the inner diameter on both end sides of the member, (b) on both end portions of the screw body, a large diameter portion that gradually increases the outer diameter in each end face direction is provided, and both ends of the screw body A mode in which the outer diameter on the part side is relatively larger than the inner diameters on the both end parts side of the braking member, (c) a thick part that gradually reduces the inner diameter in the one end surface direction on one end part side of the braking member. In addition, a large diameter portion is provided on the other end side of the screw body so that the outer diameter gradually increases in the direction of the other end surface, and the outer diameter on both ends of the screw body is set to the inner diameter on both ends of the brake member. (D) Thick portions that gradually reduce and reduce the inner diameter in the direction of each end face are formed on both ends of the braking member, and both ends of the screw body A large-diameter portion that gradually expands the outer diameter in the direction of each end face is provided on the side, and the outer diameter on both ends of the screw body is relatively larger than the inner diameter on both ends of the braking member, etc. Can be illustrated.
[0022]
  still,Such a caneAlso claims3The invention can be applied. In other words, the female screw portion may be provided in an intermediate portion in the axial direction of the braking member, and a thin portion may be provided in a portion between the female screw portion and the thick portion in the braking member. Moreover, you may divide | segment the substantially both ends along the circumferential direction by the slit-shaped division groove which passes along an axial center on the both-ends side of the said braking member.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
  A. Embodiment 1
  The present embodiment is described in claims 1 to31 shows an embodiment of the present invention. And the wand 1 of this Embodiment is provided with the wand main body 2 and the handle 7 as shown in FIG. Even if the handle 7 is formed integrally with the upper end portion of the cane body 2, the handle 7 is formed separately from the cane body 2 by various methods such as screwing and bonding. It may be integrated with the upper end of the.
[0024]
The cane body 2 includes an upper pipe (for example, made of light alloy) 2A disposed at the uppermost portion, an intermediate pipe (for example, made of light alloy) 2B disposed at the intermediate portion, and a lower pipe (disposed at the lowermost portion) ( For example, a light alloy 2C is connected. In this example, when the upper pipe 2A and the intermediate pipe 2B are connected, the intermediate pipe 2B as the male side pipe 2M is inserted into the upper pipe 2A as the female side pipe 2W. In connecting the intermediate pipe 2B and the lower pipe 2C, the lower pipe 2C as the male side pipe 2M is inserted into the intermediate pipe 2B as the female side pipe 2W.
[0025]
However, the connection mode between the pipes is not limited to this example. For example, the pipe 2B (2C) disposed below is referred to as "female side pipe 2W", and the pipe 2A (2B) disposed above is referred to as "male". The present invention may be applied as the “side pipe 2M”. Further, in this example, the grip 21 is provided at the lower ends of the upper and middle pipes 2A and 2B, and the support 22 is provided at the lower end of the lower pipe 2C. Is not limited to this example. Furthermore, in this example, although the cane body 2 comprised using three pipes is illustrated, it will not ask | require especially if the number of the pipes which comprise the cane body 2 is two or more.
[0026]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotating member 3 and the braking member 5 incorporated in the cane body 2 will be described. First, the rotating member 3 (for example, made of resin) includes a screw body 31 provided with a right-handed male screw portion 32 on substantially the entire outer peripheral surface, and a small-diameter connecting portion 33 depending from the lower end surface of the screw body 31. And a large-diameter fixed portion 34 depending from the lower end surface of the connecting portion 33. Further, the upper and lower ends of the screw body 31 are chamfered to form relief surfaces E and E having a substantially frustoconical circumferential surface. The rotating member 3 has its fixed portion 34 fitted and fixed to the insertion start end portion 25 of the male side pipe 2M. In this example, the rotating member 3 is made of a material having high slidability such as polyacetal and having high rigidity. Further, in this example, the rotating member 3 is fixed to the male side pipe 2M afterwards, but when the male side pipe 2M is manufactured, the rotating member 3 may be integrally formed.
[0027]
On the other hand, a braking member (for example, a resin having high elasticity such as ABS) 5 is configured by combining a pair of semi-cylindrical bodies 51 and 51 into a substantially cylindrical shape. The braking member 5 is configured using an elastic material, and the annular spring 53 is fitted into the circumferential groove 52, so that it has expansion elasticity in the circumferential direction. Further, in the axial direction intermediate portion of the inner peripheral surface of each semi-cylindrical body 51, 51, the female screw portion 55 in which the male screw portion 32 can be screwed into the axial intermediate portion of the inner peripheral surface of the braking member 5. A female thread groove is formed for forming the. However, as shown to Fig.4 (a), between this internal thread part 55 and the external thread part 32, 0.8-1.6 mm (0.4-0) along a diameter (radius). A clearance D of about 8 mm) is provided.
[0028]
Furthermore, the upper and lower end portions of the braking member 5 are formed as thick portions 56 whose inner diameter gradually decreases in the direction of each end face. The internal space shape of the thick portion 56 is a semi-elliptical sphere, and the inclination of the inner wall surface T of the thick portion 56 is made gentler than the inclination of the relief surface E described above, and the thick portion The inner diameter of the back end side of 56 is smaller than the outer diameter of the escape surface E on the terminal side.
[0029]
In the braking member 5, the inner diameter of the portion between the female screw portion 55 and the thick portion 56 is enlarged to form the thin portion 57. Furthermore, slit-shaped dividing grooves S opened at the respective end faces are provided on the upper and lower end sides of each semi-cylindrical body 51, 51 so as to pass through the axial center, and each semi-cylindrical body 51, 51 has a circumferential direction. Is roughly bisected. In this example, since both the semi-cylindrical bodies 51 and 51 are connected by a substantially hinge-shaped connecting piece R, the handling of both the semi-cylindrical bodies 51 and 51 is facilitated. For example, when the braking member 5 is removed from the cane body 2, if the half-cylindrical bodies 51, 51 are separate, there is a high possibility that the half-cylindrical bodies 51, 51 will be inadvertently lost. According to this example in which the semi-cylindrical bodies 51 and 51 are integrated by the connecting piece R, this possibility can be reduced.
[0030]
Next, an example of the procedure for assembling the cane 1 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the braking member 5 is attached to the screw body 31. This mounting is performed by fitting the annular spring 53 in the circumferential groove 52 after combining the semi-cylindrical bodies 51, 51 while covering the screw body 31 with a pair of semi-cylindrical bodies 51, 51. At this time, the female screw portion 55 of the braking member 5 is in a state of being screwed with the male screw portion 32 of the screw body 31.
[0031]
Then, as shown in FIG. 3, when the “male side pipe 2M” including the braking member 5 and the rotation member 3 is inserted into the female side pipe 2W, the assembly of the main cane 1 is completed. At this time, since the outer peripheral surface of the braking member 5 is lightly brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the female side pipe 2W, the outer peripheral surface is set as a sliding surface and the braking member 5 is not slidable with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the female side pipe 2W. However, relative rotation with the female pipe 2W is difficult to occur.
[0032]
Moreover, in this example, at the time of this assembly | attachment, as shown in FIG.4 (b), the opposing surfaces 58 and 58 of a pair of semi-cylindrical bodies 51 and 51 do not collide. That is, a slit-like divided groove N that passes through the axis of the braking member 5 is formed between the non-abutting facing surfaces 58 and 58. And since this division | segmentation groove | channel N and the above-mentioned division | segmentation groove | channel S are substantially orthogonal, the upper-and-lower-ends part side of the braking member 5 is the state divided into four substantially along the circumferential direction. The number of divisions when equally dividing the both end sides of the braking member 5 is not particularly limited as long as it is two or more, but is particularly preferably about 3 to 8 divisions. This is because the effect of providing the dividing grooves N and S is small in two divisions, and if the number of divisions is nine or more, the strength of the braking member 5 may be reduced. Further, in each of the present inventions, unlike the present example, it is possible to adopt a mode in which the opposing surfaces 58 and 58 are abutted.
[0033]
Next, the usage example of this cane 1 is shown. First, as shown in FIG. 3, when the screw body 31 is positioned substantially at the center of the braking member 5, the male side pipe 2 </ b> M is slidable with respect to the female side pipe 2 </ b> W. Therefore, the length of the cane body 2 can be adjusted steplessly by adjusting the amount of insertion of the male side pipe 2M into the female side pipe 2W. Then, when the cane body 2 has a desired length, the female side pipe 2W and the male side pipe 2M are fixed.
[0034]
FIG. 5 shows a usage example suitable for a right-handed user. For example, the female side pipe 2W is grasped with the left hand and the male side pipe 2M is grasped with the right hand and rotated to the right. At this time, since the outer peripheral surface of the braking member 5 and the inner peripheral surface of the female pipe 2W are in contact with each other and the braking member 5 is braked so that it does not rotate, the screw body 31 is screwed upward, The upper relief surface E contacts the inner wall surface T of the thick portion 56.
[0035]
In this example, since the outer diameter of the upper end portion side of the screw body 31 is larger than the inner diameter of the upper thick portion 56, the upper end portion side of the screw body 31 is press-fitted into the thick portion 56. The meat part 56 expands. Thereby, the outer peripheral surface of the thick part 56 is strongly pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the female side pipe 2W, and the female side pipe 2W and the male side pipe 2M are securely fixed. In this example, since the inner wall surface T of the thick portion 56 and the relief surface E are configured by gentle inclined surfaces, the press-fitting of each end portion side of the screw body 31 is performed particularly smoothly.
[0036]
On the other hand, FIG. 6 shows a use example suitable for a left-handed user. For example, the female side pipe 2W is grasped with the right hand and the male side pipe 2M is grasped with the left hand and rotated to the left. And since the outer diameter of the lower end part side of the screw body 31 is larger than the inner diameter of the lower thick part 56, the lower thick part 56 is expanded, and the female pipe 2W and the male pipe 2M are connected. Securely fixed.
[0037]
Thus, according to the cane 1, the same usability can be obtained regardless of the user's dominant hand. In this example, (1) as shown in FIG. 4A, an appropriate clearance D is provided between the male screw portion 32 of the screw body 31 and the female screw portion 55 of the braking member 5, 2) The braking member 5 has a thin portion 57, and (3) as shown in FIG. 4B, both end portions of the braking member 5 are substantially equally divided by the dividing grooves N and S. Therefore, this fixing work can be performed particularly smoothly.
[0038]
That is, if the appropriate clearance D is provided as in (1) above, the contact resistance between the female threaded portion 55 of the braking member 5 and the male threaded portion 32 of the screw body 31 is reduced, so the male side pipe Even if the rotational force (torque) applied to 2M is small, the screw body 31 can be smoothly screwed. In addition, when the screw body 31 is screwed in the presence of the clearance D, the rotational force (torque) is hardly transmitted to the braking member 5, so that the braking member 5 is connected to the inner peripheral surface of the female pipe 2 </ b> W. The stationary state is surely maintained by the frictional force. In other words, the rotation of the braking member 5 following the screw body 31 is appropriately suppressed. Furthermore, since there is moderate backlash between the female screw portion 55 and the male screw portion 32, each end portion side of the braking member 5 is easily bent. Therefore, the user can smoothly perform the fixing operation only by applying a small rotational force (torque) to the male pipe 2M.
[0039]
Further, in this example, as described in (2) above, the braking member 5 has the thin portion 57, and both ends of the braking member 5 are divided as described in (3). For this reason, on both ends of the braking member 5, the parts divided by the dividing grooves N and S have a form like a “beam” that supports the female screw part 55. Thus, since both ends of the braking member 5 have a form that can be easily expanded, the operating force that the user should apply to the male pipe 2M can be reduced from this point as well.
[0040]
Further, in this example, both end portions of the braking member 5 are substantially equally divided by the dividing grooves N and S, and each of the divided portions is in the radial direction as shown by an imaginary line shown in FIG. Expand to. For this reason, it becomes easy to expand each end side of the braking member 5 isotropically, and each end side of the braking member 5 generates a substantially uniform pressure contact force along the circumferential direction, while the female side pipe Press the 2W inner peripheral surface with good balance. Therefore, the fixed state of the female side pipe 2W and the male side pipe 2M is more reliable and firm.
[0041]
  B.Reference form
  As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C,This reference formThe cane 1a is the same as the cane 1 of the first embodiment except that the rotating member 3a and the braking member 5a are different.
[0042]
  Reference formSimilarly to the rotating member 3 of the first embodiment, the rotating member 3a also includes a screw body 31a and a fixing portion (not shown) depending on the lower end surface of the screw body 31a. Is fitted and fixed to the insertion start end 25a of the male pipe 2M. On the other hand, the screw body 31a includes substantially conical large-diameter portions 38a and 38a that gradually increase in outer diameter in the direction of each end surface on both upper and lower end portions, and the circumferential circumferential surfaces of both large-diameter portions 38a and 38a. The point which 39a and 39a are made to oppose differs from the rotation member 3 of Embodiment 1. FIG.
[0043]
  Also,Reference formSimilarly to the braking member 5 of the first embodiment, the braking member 5a is configured by combining a pair of semi-cylindrical bodies 51a and 51a in a substantially cylindrical shape. And it is comprised using elastic materials, such as resin, and the cyclic | annular spring 53a is fitted to the circulation groove | channel 52a, and the expansion elasticity is provided. On the other hand, a female screw portion 55a to which the male screw portion 32a of the rotating member 3a can be screwed is formed on substantially the entire inner peripheral surface of the braking member 5a, and the inner diameter is gradually increased in the direction of each end surface. The point from which the taper surfaces 59a and 59a comprised are provided in each edge part side differs from the braking member 5 of Embodiment 1. FIG.
[0044]
  still,Reference formIn FIG. 7B, as shown in FIG. 7B, between the female screw portion 55a and the male screw portion 32a, 0.8 to 1.6 mm (0.4 to 0.4 mm) along the diameter (radius). A clearance D of about 8 mm) is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 7C, both the semi-cylindrical bodies 51a and 51a are connected by a substantially hinge-shaped connecting piece R, and the upper and lower ends of the braking member 5a are substantially divided by dividing grooves N and S. It is divided.
[0045]
Also in the cane 1a, when the female pipe 2W is grasped with the left hand and the male pipe 2M is grasped with the right hand and rotated to the right, the screw body 31a is screwed upward. At this time, since the large-diameter portion 38a on the lower end side of the screw body 31 is larger than the inner diameter on the lower end portion side of the braking member 5a, the large-diameter portion 38a extends along the tapered surface 59a on the lower end portion side. Press-fitted into 5a, the lower end side of the braking member 5a expands. On the other hand, when the female pipe 2W is grasped with the right hand and the male pipe 2M is grasped with the left hand and rotated to the left, the screw body 31a is screwed downward, and the large-diameter portion 38a on the upper end side of the screw body 31. However, it press-fits into the braking member 5a along the tapered surface 59a on the upper end side, and the upper end side of the braking member 5a expands.
[0046]
Accordingly, this cane 1a can provide the same usability regardless of the user's dominant hand. And also in this cane 1a, since the moderate clearance D is provided between the external thread part 32a of the screw body 31a, and the internal thread part 55a of the braking member 5a, the user can connect the male side pipe 2M to the male side pipe 2M. The fixing operation can be performed only by applying a small rotational force (torque). Furthermore, since the upper and lower ends of the braking member 5a are substantially equally divided by the dividing grooves N and S, the fixed state of the female side pipe 2W and the male side pipe 2M becomes more reliable and firm.
[0047]
  still,Reference formIn this case, as shown in FIG. 8A, a braking member 5a in which a thin portion 57a is formed between the female screw portion 55a and the upper and lower end portions may be used. According to this aspect, the fixing operation can be performed more smoothly. Moreover, as shown in FIG.8 (b), the aspect etc. in which the thick part 56a is formed in the one end part side of the braking member 5a, and the large diameter part 38a is provided in the other edge part side of the screw body 31a are included.
[0048]
  Here, the cane 1 of the first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the former),Reference formIn comparison with the cane 1a (hereinafter referred to as the latter), the latter has the outer diameter of the entire rotating member 3a and the exterior of the screw body 31a as much as the large diameter portions 38a are provided on both ends of the screw body 31a. The outer diameter of the braking member 5a is likely to increase. For this reason, in the latter case, it may be difficult to incorporate between pipes having a small inner diameter. That is, the former rotating member 3 and the braking member 5 can be incorporated between pipes having a wider range of inner diameters, and are considered to be more versatile.
[0049]
Note that the scope of the present invention is not limited to those specifically shown in the embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be exemplified within the scope of the configuration and purpose of the present invention. That is, in each of the above embodiments, the relative rotation suppression between the braking members 5 and 5a and the female pipe 2W is mainly performed using friction between the two. The rotation can be suppressed by serration fitting the outer peripheral surface of 5a and the inner peripheral surface of the female pipe 2W.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, claims 1 to3According to the invention, a right-handed user or a left-handed user can obtain the same usability, and can obtain a cane that has a simple structure and can be manufactured at low cost. Moreover, even if it is a right-handed user or a left-handed user, the same usability is obtained, and a cane that is simple in structure and can be manufactured at low cost is obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cane according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cane of FIG.
3 is a longitudinal sectional view (corresponding to a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 4 (b) 4-4) of the cane of FIG. 1;
4A is a schematic partial longitudinal sectional view showing the relationship between the female threaded portion of the braking member and the male threaded portion of the rotating member, and FIG. 4B is a 3-3 transverse sectional view of FIG. (C) is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the expanded state of the braking member.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing a state where a male side pipe is rotated to the right.
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing a state in which a male side pipe is rotated counterclockwise.
FIG. 7 (a) isReference formFIG. 7B is a schematic partial longitudinal sectional view showing the relationship between the female threaded portion of the braking member and the male threaded portion of the rotating member, and FIG. FIG.
[Figure 8] (a)Reference formThe principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the modification of (b) is (b)Reference formIt is a principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the modification of this.
[Explanation of symbols]
  1; cane, 2; cane body, 2W; female side pipe, 2M; male side pipe, 2A; upper pipe, 2B; middle pipe, 2C; lower pipe, 21; grip, 22; support part, 25; 3; Rotating member, 31; Screw body, 32; Male thread portion, 33; Connection portion, 34; Fixing portion, E; Relief surface, 38a; Large diameter portion, 39a; Member 51; semi-cylindrical body 52; circular groove 53; annular spring 55; female screw part 56; thick part 57; thin part S; slit R; connecting piece 58; Gap, 59a; taper surface, 7; handle.

Claims

In a cane comprising a cane body configured by connecting a plurality of pipes, and connecting each pipe constituting the cane body by inserting the male side pipe into the female side pipe,
A rotating member having a screw body provided with a male screw portion on an outer peripheral surface and disposed at an insertion start end portion of the male pipe;
A substantially cylindrical outer shape having expansion elasticity is formed, and a female screw portion that is inserted into the female pipe in a sliding state and is screwed into the male screw portion is provided on an inner peripheral surface. And a braking member provided with a thick part that gradually reduces the inner diameter in each end face direction on the part side,
By rotating the male pipe, any one end side of the screw body is press-fitted into any one thick part of the braking member, and any one thick part is expanded. By pressing against the inner peripheral surface of the female side pipe, the female side pipe and the male side pipe are fixed ,
Wherein with the female screw portion provided in an axially intermediate portion of the brake member, wand, wherein Rukoto provided the thin portion at a site between the female threaded portion and the thick portion of the braking member.

The cane according to claim 1, wherein a clearance is provided between the male screw portion and the female screw portion.

The cane according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein both ends of the braking member are substantially equally divided along a circumferential direction by a slit-like dividing groove passing through an axis.