JP4439105B2 - Self-supporting cane - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cane that can be made independent by a plurality of self-supporting legs that are foldably attached to a lower end portion of a cane shaft.
[0002]
[Prior art]
One conventional cane that can be self-supported is described in Utility Model Registration No. 3054316. This cane has a structure in which “a plurality of slits are provided in the axial direction at the lower end portion of the cylindrical cane shaft, a movable portion is supported in the respective slits so as to be slidable in the axial direction, and the lower ends of the respective slits A fixed part is fixed to the upper part, the upper ends of a plurality of auxiliary legs are connected to the movable part through the slits, and the center part and the fixed part of each auxiliary leg are connected via a connecting member. In the cane shaft, the movable part and the fixed part are connected by a tension spring, and the movable part and the upper locking part of the cane shaft are connected by a wire.
[0003]
Then, in the natural length state of the tension spring, each auxiliary leg expands with respect to the cane shaft so that the cane shaft can stand on its own, and by pulling the wire and folding each auxiliary leg with respect to the cane shaft , Use the cane. Therefore, the above-mentioned cane which can stand independently has the following problems. (1) Since it is indispensable to provide a plurality of slits at the lower end of the cylindrical cane shaft, the strength of the cane shaft will decrease, or the required strength of the cane shaft will be secured while the slits are provided. Then, the stick axis becomes thicker and heavier. (2) Since the extended state of the auxiliary leg is maintained in the natural length state of the tension spring, this expanded state is unstable. (3) Since the auxiliary leg is folded by the wire pulling operation, the folding operation is troublesome.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cane that can stand on its own without thickening the cane shaft or increasing its weight, and that is stable in a self-standing state.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1 is a cane that can be self-supported by a plurality of self-supporting legs that are foldably attached to the lower end of the cane shaft, and is fixed to the lower end of the cane shaft. The connecting body is fixed, and the first and second movable connecting bodies are slidably fitted on the cane shaft above the fixed connecting body so as to be independently slidable. The upper ends of the standing legs are rotatably connected, and the central part of each of the standing legs and the first movable connecting body are connected via a first connecting member, respectively. The central portion and the fixed connecting body are connected to each other via a second connecting member, and between the first and second movable connecting bodies on the cane shaft, both are biased in the separating direction. It is characterized by the fact that the urging means is externally mounted.
[0006]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the second movable coupling body is slid to the rising end and engaged and locked to the cane shaft via the engagement locking means, each of the self-supporting legs is folded, It will be in use. Further, when the engagement locking means is released, the first and second movable coupling bodies are separated by the urging force of the urging means, and both of them are lowered, and the self-supporting leg bodies are expanded. The cane axis can be made independent. In this way, since each self-supporting leg can be expanded without giving a large hole to the cane shaft, the strength of the cane can be ensured without increasing the weight of the cane shaft or increasing its weight.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the invention, at the time of folding of each standing body, the second movable coupling body, the upper end, reaches engagement portion constituting the engaging locking means provided on the upper end of the wand shaft, said Due to the engagement of the engaged hole constituting the engagement lock means provided in the second movable connection body and the engagement portion, the second movable connection body is connected to the cane shaft via the engagement lock means. Is configured to be engaged and locked. For this reason, it becomes possible for the user of the cane to release the engagement locking means in the use posture while holding the handle, and in the use posture of the cane, the self-supporting leg is expanded and the cane shaft is extended. Can be made independent. Further, the invention of claim 3, engaging the locking means, most through a spacer plate spring in a cylindrical cane inner shaft is furnished, by its own elasticity, in the axial direction該杖axis An engagement member provided with an engagement portion that can project from the provided slit, and an engaged hole provided in the upper end portion of the second movable coupling body to engage the engagement portion of the engagement member There is an advantage that the configuration becomes simple and the operation becomes easy.
[008]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stepped portion for regulating a descending slide end of the first movable coupling body between the fixed coupling body and the first movable coupling body in the cane shaft, Since the expanded state of is fixed, the self-supporting state of the cane is stabilized.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cane according to the present invention in a self-supporting state. As shown in FIG. 1, the cane according to the present invention leans against the cane 1, a cane shaft 1 that provides dynamic support for the user to stand and walk, a handle 2 that leans against the hand, and a cane. When walking, the rubber cap 3 for reducing the impact of the lower end of the cane shaft 1 and the ground is provided, and a plurality of self-supporting legs J provided in the lower end of the cane shaft 1 so as to be expandable. Yes. FIG. 2 is a front view in which a part of the cane is broken in the longitudinal direction, and the cane when the self-supporting leg J is expanded in a state where the user does not use the cane with both hands away from the cane. It is a state of. FIG. 3 is a front view in which a portion of the longitudinal direction is broken in the use state of the cane according to the present invention, and the self-supporting leg J is used for the user to use the cane as an aid when walking or standing up. It is in a folded state. At this time, the self-supporting leg J is folded so as to be substantially parallel to the cane shaft 1 so that the user's feet are not disturbed. In the present invention, an engagement lock means K for opening and closing the self-supporting leg body J is provided at the upper end portion of the cane shaft 1.
[0010]
Next, means for opening and closing a plurality of freestanding legs J will be described with reference to FIG. A plurality of free standing legs J are attached to the lower end of the cane shaft 1 via the following members so as to be foldable. First, a ring-shaped fixed connector A is externally fitted and fixed to the cane shaft 1 above the rubber cap 3 attached to the lowermost end of the cane shaft 1. The other end portion of the second connecting member R ₂ whose one end portion is connected to the substantially central portion of the self-standing leg J is rotatably connected to the fixed connecting body A. A step forming spacer 5 is fitted over the fixed coupling body A on the cane shaft 1, and a step portion D is formed between the upper end surface of the step forming spacer 5 and the outer peripheral surface of the cane shaft 1. The A cylindrical first movable coupling body B ₁ is fitted over the stepped portion D of the cane shaft 1. Since the first movable connecting body B ₁ abuts on the stepped portion D when the self-supporting leg J is expanded and its lower slide end is restricted, the first movable connecting body B ₁ can be slid only above the stepped portion D. The cane shaft 1 is externally fitted. Further, the first movable connection member B _1, one end and the other end portion of the first coupling member R ₁ is pivotally connected, which is connected to a substantially central portion of the free-standing leg J. The second movable coupling body B ₂ is slidably fitted on the upper part of the first movable coupling body B ₁ , and the first and second movable coupling bodies B ₁ and B ₂ are separated from each other. A compression spring 4 is mounted for the purpose.
[0011]
The second movable coupling body B ₂ is an upper movable body having a lower movable body 30 to which the upper end portion of the self-standing leg J is pivotably coupled, and an engaged hole 45 constituting the engagement lock means K. The lower movable body 30 and the upper movable body 40 are connected to each other via three connecting rods 35 arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. , 40 slide together with respect to the cane shaft 1. Thus, engagement of by sliding the second movable coupling body B ₂ in the axial direction, the engaging portion 52 of the engagement member 50 projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the wand shaft 1, and engaged hole 45 provided on its And cancel it.
[0012]
5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the second movable connector B ₂ of FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is an arrow Y of FIG. FIG. The lower movable body 30 constituting the second movable coupling body B ₂ has a configuration in which a ring-shaped coupling body portion 32 is integrally provided at a lower end portion of a cylindrical slide guide portion 31, and the coupling body portion. A circumferential groove 33 and three sets of slits 34 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of 32. The three sets of slits 34 are provided in the radial direction so as to open to the outer peripheral surface at equal circumferential positions. The lower end portion of the connecting rod 35 having a U-shaped cross section has a central portion in the width direction omitted, and a pair of end pieces 35a are formed at both end portions, and each end piece 35a has a connecting hole 35b. Is formed. The upper end of the self-supporting leg J has the same configuration as the lower end of the connecting rod 35, and includes an end piece Ja and a connecting hole Jb. And each end piece 35a of each connection rod 35 and each end piece Ja of each self-supporting leg J are inserted into each of the three sets of slits 34 in a one-to-one set, and the connection accommodated in the circumferential groove 33 A wire 36 is inserted through each of the connecting holes 35b and Jb. As a result, the lower movable body 30 and the connecting rod 35 are integrally connected, and the upper end portion of the free-standing leg J is rotatably connected to the lower movable body 30.
[0013]
Further, the connection of one end portion of the first connection member R _{1 to} the first movable connection body B ₁ and the connection of one end portion of the second connection member R ₂ to the fixed connection body A are independent legs with respect to the lower movable body 30 described above. This is almost the same as the connection at the upper end of the body J. The other end of each of the first and second connecting members R ₁ and R ₂ is rotatably connected to the same position in the substantially central portion of the self-supporting leg J. In this embodiment, three self-supporting legs J are used. Each freestanding leg J are linked manner, i.e. at 120 degrees apart and the second movable connection member B ₂ are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the Tsuejiku 1. Accordingly, three first and second connecting members R ₁ and R ₂ are also used.
[0014]
Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the structure of the engagement lock means K for maintaining the folded state of each self-supporting leg J will be described. A leaf spring spacer 55 is provided at the upper end of the cane shaft 1 in order to reduce its inner diameter, and most of the engaging member 50 made of a leaf spring is formed in a slit 56 provided in the axial direction of the spacer 55. Only the engaging portion 52 and the operation portion 51 at the upper end of the housing are protruded from the slit 1 a provided in the cane shaft 1, and the engaging portion 52 is engaged in the upper movable body 40. The engagement hole 45 can be engaged. When the operating portion 51 is pressed, the entire engaging member 50 is elastically deformed in the plate surface direction, and the engagement between the engaging portion 52 and the engaged hole 45 is released. Yes. Further, the upper movable body 40 is provided with a non-slip portion 44 for sliding the upper movable body 40 upward to facilitate the folding operation of the self-supporting leg body J. 2 to 4, the symbol G indicates the ground.
[0015]
Subsequently, the operation of the cane according to the present invention will be described. In the state of use, as shown in FIG. 9, the second movable coupling body B ₂ is locked by the engagement locking means K so that it cannot slide downward at the slide rising end. Body J is folded. Then, in order to make it self-supported immediately after use of the cane, when the operation portion 51 of the engagement lock means K is pressed, the engagement between the engaged hole 45 and the engagement portion 52 of the engagement member 50 is released. Then, the first and second movable coupling bodies B ₁ and B ₂ are slid downward while being separated from each other by the restoring force of the compression spring 4, and the respective self-supporting legs J are expanded. As a result, the cane can stand on its own. Further, when the cane is in a self-supporting state, the first movable connecting body B ₁ is in contact with the step portion D of the cane shaft 1 and the expanded state of each self-supporting leg J is fixed. To do.
[0016]
Further, since the second movable connecting body B ₂ has a configuration in which the lower movable body 30 and the upper movable body 40 are connected by a plurality of connecting rods 35, the second movable connecting body B ₂ is reduced in weight and thus the cane itself is reduced in weight. In addition, the engaged hole 45 constituting the engagement lock means K is provided at the upper end portion thereof, and the user of the cane can release the engagement lock means K while holding the handle 2. Therefore, the cane can be made independent by expanding the self-supporting leg J with the use posture of the cane. When the second movable coupling body B ₂ is lengthened as described above, the above-described advantages are produced. However, the second movable coupling body B ₂ is constituted by only the lower movable body 30 and is connected to the slide guide portion 31. It is also possible to provide an engaged hole 45 that constitutes the locking means K.
[0017]
In the above-described embodiment, a compression spring is provided as a means which is externally provided between the first and second connecting members R ₁ and R _{2 on} the cane shaft 1 and biases both R ₁ and R ₂ in the separating direction. 4, other examples of the urging means include an elastic body such as rubber.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
The cane according to the present invention can stand on its own without thickening the cane shaft or increasing its weight, and it is stable in a stand-alone state. Further, when the upper end portion of the second movable connecting body has a length that reaches the position close to the handle of the cane shaft and the engagement lock means is provided at the upper end portion, the engagement lock means remains in the use posture of the cane. Is released and the self-supporting leg is expanded to further improve usability.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cane according to the present invention in a self-supporting state.
FIG. 2 is also a front view in which a part in the longitudinal direction is broken.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the cane according to the present invention, with a part of the longitudinal direction thereof broken away.
4 is an enlarged view of a portion of a self-supporting leg body J in FIG.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the second movable connector B ₂ in FIG.
6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.
7 is a view on arrow Y in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a front sectional view mainly showing a portion of the engagement lock means K at the upper end of the cane.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cane according to the present invention in use.
[Explanation of symbols]
A: Fixed connector
B ₁ : First movable coupling body
B ₂ : Second movable coupling body
D: Stepped portion
J: Standing leg
K: Engagement lock means
R ₁ : First connecting member
R ₂ : second connecting member
1: Cane axis
2: Handle
4: Compression spring (biasing means)
30: Lower movable body (second movable coupling body)
35: Connecting rod (second movable connecting body)
40: Upper movable body (second movable coupling body)
45: Engagement hole (engagement locking means)
50: Engagement member (engagement locking means)
52: Engagement part (engagement locking means)

Claims (4)

A cane that is made self-supporting by a plurality of self-supporting legs that are foldably attached to the lower end of the cane shaft,
A fixed coupling body is fixed to a lower end portion of the cane shaft, and the first and second movable coupling bodies are slidably and independently fitted above the fixed coupling body on the cane shaft,
An upper end portion of each of the self-supporting legs is rotatably connected to the second movable connection body, and the substantially central portion of each of the self-supporting legs and the first movable connection body are connected via a first connection member, respectively. The substantially central portion of each of the self-supporting legs and the fixed connection body are connected via a second connection member, respectively, and between the first and second movable connection bodies on the cane shaft. Is provided with an urging means for urging them in the separating direction, and when the second movable coupling body is slid to the rising end and engaged with the cane shaft via the engagement locking means, Each self-supporting leg is folded into the use state of the cane,
When the engagement lock means is released, the urging force of the urging means causes the first and second movable connecting bodies to be separated from each other, and both of them are lowered, and each self-supporting leg is expanded. A cane that can stand independently, characterized in that the cane shaft can stand on its own. At the time of folding each self-supporting leg, the second movable coupling body is provided on the second movable coupling body, with the upper end portion reaching the engagement portion constituting the engagement locking means provided on the upper end of the cane shaft . The second movable coupling body is engaged and locked to the cane shaft via the engagement lock means by the engagement between the engaged hole constituting the engagement lock means and the engagement portion. The self-supporting cane according to claim 1. The engagement locking means is
Most of the interior of the cylindrical wand shaft is provided with a leaf spring spacer , and the wand shaft is provided with an engaging portion that can project from a slit provided in the axial direction of the wand shaft by its own elastic force. A joint member;
3. The engagement hole according to claim 1, further comprising an engaged hole provided in an upper end portion of the second movable coupling body in order to engage the engagement portion of the engagement member. A cane that can stand on its own.   4. A step portion for regulating a descending slide end of the first movable coupling body is provided between the fixed coupling body and the first movable coupling body on the cane shaft. A cane that can stand on its own.

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