JP5120940B2 - Walking aid cane - Google Patents

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a walking assistance cane for assisting walking by an elderly person with weak legs and a physically handicapped person who has a disorder in legs and legs while walking.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, walking sticks that assist with walking with one hand during walking are widely used. Such a walking aid cane has been improved in various ways in order to stably support the weight in accordance with the walking motion.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes an impact force change absorption buffer mechanism such as a cane leg in which a compression coil spring and a plurality of elastic bodies are inserted and held between an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder that slide with each other. Further, Patent Document 2 includes a shaft and a multipoint support board, and includes a shaft position changing unit that slidably connects the other end of the shaft to the multipoint support board, and a swing angle selected by the user. A walking cane that can hold the shaft in position is described. Further, Patent Document 3 describes that the canopy protrusion and the handle portion of the cane are elastic so that they have a function as a cane supporting at multiple points when they are struck and have a function as a general single point wand when they are lifted. There is described a cane that is connected to the body so as to be movable up and down and has a double-tipped tip so that the auxiliary leg moves down and contacts the road surface when a predetermined load or more is applied.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-284949 JP 2003-339802 A JP 2006-110346 A

  As described in the above-mentioned patent document, as a walking aid cane, a type that can be supported in a stable state when weight is added by providing a plurality of support legs and supporting it at multiple points is practical. However, such a multi-point support type wand has a problem that it becomes unstable when the wand is moved while walking, although there is no problem when supporting the weight in a stationary state.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a process when walking using a conventional four-point support type walking stick. When the user starts walking with his / her leg forward, the user first swings the cane 100 forward to move the support leg 101 forward (FIG. 13A). When the cane 100 is swung out, the support leg 101 is tilted, the front support leg 101a is above the rear support leg 101b, and the rear support leg 101b is tilted. Landing from 101b.

  In order for the support leg 101a on the front side to land after the support leg 101b on the rear side has landed, the cane 100 swings greatly forward (FIG. 13 (b)). Accordingly, the upper body of the user is pulled forward to bend forward, and the front and rear support legs 101a and 101b land and stabilize in an unnatural posture (FIG. 13 (c)). .

  If the above-described walking motion is repeated, the user is forced to walk while leaning forward, and a large burden is applied to the waist, making it difficult to walk for a long time. In addition, when trying to put weight on the cane in a leaning posture, a large force is required on the arm.

  As shown in Patent Document 2, by connecting the shaft and the multi-point support plate so as to be swingable, when the cane is attached in an oblique direction, the upper body is pulled to the front to some extent, but the rear side After the support legs have landed, it is inevitable that the gait and the walking action will be pulled forward when the support legs on the front side land.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a walking assistance cane that can be used in a natural walking motion even when it has a plurality of support legs.

The walking aid cane according to the present invention includes a cane body portion, a grip portion attached to the upper end side of the cane body portion, and a plurality of support legs attached to the lower end side of the cane body portion. Each walking leg has a piston that can reciprocate in a cylinder in which fluid is sealed, and includes a buffer mechanism that can be expanded and contracted by a load to change its length . A fluid is sealed inside by communicating with the cylinder in the buffer mechanism of the support leg . Furthermore, the buffer mechanism is characterized in that a stopper is provided so as not to shrink beyond a predetermined length. Further characterized by encapsulating the internal to the flow body in communication with the cylinder in the buffer mechanism of the plurality of the supporting leg portions arranged in the longitudinal direction of the body side. Furthermore, a chamber communicating with the cylinder in the buffer mechanism of the plurality of support legs is formed inside the cane body. Further, the lower end of the support leg is provided with a stone thrusting portion so as to be rotatable.

  Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, each of the plurality of support legs is provided with a buffer mechanism so that it can be expanded and contracted. Therefore, when the support legs on the rear side land before the front side The support leg on the front side will land while the support leg on the rear side contracts to the front, and the support leg on the front side and the rear side will land smoothly and stably on the floor even when the cane is tilted obliquely It is supported in the state. And, as the walking leg swings forward with the support leg in contact with the walking motion, the support leg on the rear side expands while the support leg on the front side contracts and supports The state where the leg is grounded is maintained, and the stable support state can be continued.

  Therefore, it is possible to perform a natural walking motion while supporting the weight with a cane instead of being leaned forward as in the prior art.

  In addition, by using a piston that can reciprocate in a cylinder filled with fluid as a buffer mechanism, when the weight is applied to the cane, the piston moves in the insertion direction in the cylinder and the internal fluid pressure increases. In order to support the added load, the impact at the time of landing can be mitigated and supported stably.

  In addition, if the cylinders in the buffer mechanism of the plurality of support legs are communicated and liquid is sealed inside, the liquid in the cylinder of the contracted support legs of the communicated cylinders flows into the other cylinders. It acts to increase the internal pressure, and the support legs can be interlocked.

  For example, when the support leg on the rear side lands and contracts, the liquid in the cylinder flows into the cylinder of the support leg on the front side and the pressure in the cylinder of the support leg on the front side increases. The front support leg portion extends to shorten the landing time, and the landing operation can be performed in a more stable state.

  In addition, if a chamber communicating with the cylinder in the cushioning mechanism of the plurality of support legs is formed inside the cane body, the pressure is allowed to escape into the chamber when the fluid pressure in the cylinder rises excessively. can do.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail. The embodiments described below are preferable specific examples for carrying out the present invention, and thus various technical limitations are made. However, the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. Unless otherwise specified, the present invention is not limited to these forms.

  FIG. 1 is an overall side view of an embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a top view thereof. The walking aid cane 1 is fixed to a rod-like cane body 10, a grip part 20 fixed to a mounting part 10 a formed by bending at the upper end of the cane body 10, and a lower end of the cane body 10. A support 30 is provided.

  The cane body portion 10 is formed into a columnar or cylindrical elongated rod shape using a high-strength and lightweight material such as a resin material, a metal material, or a composite material. The grip portion 20 is formed in a shape that can be easily gripped by the user and can be stably gripped even when the body weight is applied, and the grip position is set according to the body shape of the user. The weight is set so as to be applied along the axial direction of the cane body 10 when the grip 20 is gripped and the weight is applied.

  When using the walking aid cane according to the present embodiment, the grip part 20 may be gripped and installed on the side of the body so that the left side of FIG.

  The support portion 30 includes four support leg portions 31 a to 31 d, and each support leg portion extends radially from the lower end portion of the cane body portion 10 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and is suspended downward. In this example, the support legs 31a and 31b are used on the body side. The support leg on the body side has an opening angle larger than that of the outer support leg so that the cane can be used as close to the body as possible. If it is desired to use the support legs 31a and 31b arranged on the opposite side, the screw 10b that fixes the support 30 to the cane body 10 is loosened and the support 30 is rotated to change the arrangement. Good.

  Further, the arrangement of the support legs may be changed in accordance with the user's walking motion, or three support legs other than four may be used, or five or more support legs may be used. There is no particular limitation.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view relating to the support leg portion of the support portion 30 in a state where the cane body portion 10 stands upright. The support leg portion 31a includes a rod-like base portion 32a that extends radially from the lower end portion of the cane body portion 10 and is curved downward, and a lower portion is provided at a lower portion of the base portion 32a. A cylindrical guide portion 33a having an open side is formed. A rod member 35a is slidably inserted in the guide portion 33a. A convex portion 34a is formed in the guide portion 33a in the circumferential direction, and the rod member 35a is inserted into contact with the convex portion 34a so that it cannot be inserted beyond a predetermined length. Although not shown, a stopper provided inside the guide portion 33a fits into a groove formed in the longitudinal direction on the surface of the rod member 35a to prevent the rod member 35a from falling off the guide portion 33a. ing.

  A convex portion 37a is formed in the circumferential direction at the lower end portion of the rod member 35a, and a coiled compression spring 36a is mounted around the rod member 35a between the lower end of the guide portion 33a and the convex portion 37a. ing. The compression spring 36a is compressed as the rod member 35a is inserted into the guide portion 33a, and an upward biasing force is applied to the base portion 32a.

  Further, a spherical shaft support portion 38a is integrally formed on the lower end surface of the rod member 35a, and a stone thrust portion 40a is fitted into the shaft support portion 38a. The stone protrusion 40a is formed from a resin material having elasticity such as rubber, and has a circular truncated cone shape on the upper surface of a grounding portion 41a formed in a disk shape with a predetermined thickness. A rotating portion 42a is formed. And the stone thrusting part 40a can be mounted | worn so that a mounting angle can be freely changed with respect to the shaft support part 38a by inserting the hole part of the rotation part 42a in the shaft support part 38a. Therefore, even when the rod member 35a is inclined with respect to the ground surface in a state where the ground contact portion 41a of the stone thrusting portion 40a is in close contact with the ground surface, the ground portion 41a maintains a state of being in close contact with the ground surface. be able to.

  Since the support leg portions 31b to 31d have the same configuration as the support leg portion 31a, the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view relating to the support leg portion of the support portion 30 in a state where the cane body portion 10 is tilted forward. In this case, since a large load is applied to the support legs 31a and 31c on the front side, the compression spring 36a is compressed, the rod member 35a enters the guide part 33a, and the length of the support leg 31a is reduced. Become. Similarly, the length of the support leg 31c is reduced. And since the front-end | tip of the rod member 35a contact | abuts to the convex-shaped part 34a, the approach of the rod member 35a is stopped and the support leg part 31a does not shrink | contract further.

  On the other hand, since the support legs 31b and 31d on the rear side are lifted, the guide part is pulled up, the rod member is relatively pulled out, and the length of the support legs is extended. At that time, the stone thrusting portion is maintained in a grounded state.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view relating to the support leg portion of the support portion 30 in a state where the cane body portion 10 is inclined to the rear side. In this case, since a large load is applied to the support legs 31b and 31d on the rear side, the compression spring is compressed, the rod member enters the guide part, and the length of the support leg is reduced. On the other hand, the support legs 31a and 31c on the front side are lifted and the rod member is pulled out so that the length of the support legs is extended. At that time, the stone thrusting portion is maintained in a grounded state.

  As described above, the length of each support leg portion is expanded and contracted by reciprocating the rod member in the guide portion, and the degree of expansion and contraction is adjusted by the compression spring against the applied load. It has a mechanism. Therefore, when weight is applied to the cane body, each support leg expands and contracts according to the weighted state, and even if the cane body tilts, the support leg expands and contracts accordingly. The projecting portion remains in a grounded state, and a stable grounded state can be realized.

  In this example, a coiled compression spring is used as the elastic member. However, for example, a cylindrical elastic member made of rubber may be attached, and an elastic force is applied between the guide portion and the rod member against the load. Any elastic member that can act can be used.

  6A and 6B are side views of the walking assistance cane. FIG. 6A shows a state in which the cane body 10 is upright, and FIG. 6B shows a state in which the cane body 10 is tilted forward. FIG. 6C shows a state in which the cane body 10 is tilted rearward. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram relating to the state of the walking assistance cane during the walking motion.

  At the start of the walking motion, the cane body part 10 is swung forward and the support part 30 is moved forward, but the cane pokes while the cane body part 10 is tilted (see FIG. 7A). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6C, the support leg on the rear side first lands and a load is applied, the buffer mechanism is compressed, the rod member enters the guide part, and the length of the support leg is reduced. As it shrinks, the support legs on the front side will land. Therefore, even if the cane body 10 is tilted, the four support legs land and become a stable grounding state, and the user can put his weight on it with peace of mind.

  Next, when the upper body advances forward while applying weight to the cane, the cane body 10 turns from an inclined state to an upright state and leans against the cane, but all four support legs are grounded. Since the weight is supported in this state (FIG. 6A), a sense of stability similar to that of a conventional multi-point support can be obtained (see FIG. 7B).

  When the upper body of the user further moves forward, the cane body 10 is tilted forward, and as shown in FIG. 6B, the support legs on the front side contract and the support legs on the rear side are contracted. The part becomes stretched. Even in this state, the four support legs are maintained in a grounded state, so that they are stable even when weight is applied.

  As described above, since the four support legs are expanded and contracted in accordance with the inclination of the cane body 10 at the time of walking motion, it is possible to perform a smooth walking motion like a one-point support cane. This is not a jerky walking movement like a conventional multi-point support cane, and the burden on the body such as the waist is greatly reduced.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the support leg of the support. The support part 50 is provided with four support leg parts 51a-51d similarly to embodiment mentioned above. The support leg portion 51a includes a rod-like base portion 52a that is radially extended from the lower end portion of the cane body portion 10 and is curved downward, and a lower portion is provided at a lower portion of the base portion 52a. A cylindrical cylinder portion 53a having an open side is formed. A piston member 54a is slidably inserted in the cylinder portion 53a.

  A fluid M is sealed inside the cylinder portion 53a, and the internal fluid pressure changes as the piston member 54a reciprocates. When the piston member 54a enters the inside of the cylinder portion 53a, the fluid pressure increases and acts to push back the piston member 54a. Therefore, it is a buffer mechanism in which the length of the support leg portion expands and contracts according to the load applied to the support leg portion.

  A spherical shaft support portion 55a is integrally formed on the lower end surface of the piston member 54a, and the stone thrusting portion 40a is fitted into the shaft support portion 55a as in the above-described embodiment.

  Since the support leg portions 51b to 51d have the same configuration as the support leg portion 51a, the description thereof is omitted.

  Since it is configured as described above, as in the above-described embodiment, the support leg portion expands and contracts in accordance with the inclination of the cane body portion 10 during walking motion, and smooth while applying weight. A walking motion can be performed.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the support portion shown in FIG. In this example, the support part 60 includes three support leg parts 61a to 61c, support leg parts 61a and 61b are arranged on the body side, and a support leg part 61c is arranged on the outside.

  Each support leg is provided with a buffer mechanism in which a fluid M is enclosed, as in the support leg of the embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the support leg portion expands and contracts in accordance with the inclination of the cane body portion 10 during the walking operation, and a smooth walking operation can be performed while applying weight. it can.

  10 is a cross-sectional view of another modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. In this example, the support part 70 includes four support leg parts 71a to 71d, and each support leg part inserts a piston member into the cylinder part in the same manner as the support leg part of the embodiment shown in FIG. The liquid L is sealed inside the cylinder portion. And the cylinder part of each support leg part is connected by the pipe line formed in the base | substrate part, and the liquid L can flow through the pipe line (refer Fig.10 (a)).

  The liquid L is sealed by communicating the cylinder portion of the support leg portion. For example, when the support leg portion on the front side contracts due to the load, the liquid L in the cylinder portion of the support leg portion on the front side is reduced. It flows into the cylinder part of the support leg part on the rear side and acts to extend the support leg part. Therefore, it is possible to extend and contract the connected support leg portions in association with each other, and it is possible to perform the extension and contraction operation of the support leg portions in a more stable state (see FIG. 10B).

  When communicating with the cylinder part, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, when all the supporting leg parts are communicated (FIG. 11 (a)), the supporting leg parts 71a and 71b on the body side, and the supporting leg parts on the outside In some cases, 71c and 71d communicate with each other (FIG. 11B).

  When all the supporting leg portions are communicated, the supporting leg portions can be linked and expanded and contracted to flexibly cope with the inclination of the cane body portion. In this case, even if the cane body portion 10 is tilted forward and further tilted to the right, the four support legs extend and contract according to the tilted state, can do.

  Further, in the case where the body side and the outside support legs are communicated with each other, there is no flow of the liquid L between the body side and the outside support legs, so that the swinging of the cane body in the left-right direction is suppressed, It is possible to stabilize the expansion and contraction operation with respect to the front-rear direction inclination of the walking stick main body during walking. Therefore, even if weight is applied to the cane body part, the cane body part does not fall outside and lose balance, and a stable walking motion can be performed.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 12A, the support portion 80 includes four support leg portions 81a to 81d, and each support leg portion is formed in the cylinder portion in the same manner as the support leg portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. The piston member is inserted into the cylinder portion, the liquid L is sealed inside the cylinder portion, and the cylinder portions are communicated with each other. A chamber 11 is formed inside the cane body 10, and the chamber 11 communicates with each cylinder and is filled with a liquid L. Thus, by providing the chamber 11, it is possible to mitigate pressure fluctuations that occur in the liquid L when the support legs land.

  In the example of FIG. 12B, the support portion 90 includes three support leg portions 91a to 91c, and each support leg portion is similar to the support leg portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. The liquid L is sealed inside the cylinder part, and the chamber 12 formed inside the cane body part 10 communicates with each cylinder part and is filled with the liquid L. Thus, by providing the chamber 12, the pressure fluctuation generated in the liquid L when the support leg portion lands can be reduced.

It is a whole side view regarding the embodiment concerning the present invention. It is a whole top view regarding embodiment shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing regarding the support leg part of the support part in the state in which the cane main-body part stood upright. It is sectional drawing regarding the support leg part of the support part in the state in which the cane main-body part inclined to the front side. It is sectional drawing regarding the support leg part of the support part in the state in which the cane main-body part inclined to the back side. It is a side view regarding a walking aid cane. It is explanatory drawing regarding the state of the walking aid cane at the time of walking operation. It is sectional drawing regarding another embodiment of the support leg part of a support part. It is sectional drawing regarding the modification of the support part shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing regarding another modification of embodiment shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing regarding the communication state of a cylinder part. It is sectional drawing regarding the modification of embodiment shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing regarding the state at the time of the walk operation | movement of the conventional walking aid cane.

Explanation of symbols

1 Walking aid cane
10 Staff body
20 Grip
30 Support part
31 Support legs
33 Guide section
35 Rod member
36 Compression spring
40 Stone bump
50 Support
51 Support legs
53 Cylinder
54 Piston member
60 Support
61 Support legs
70 Support part
71 Support leg
80 Support
81 Support legs
90 Support
91 Support legs

Claims (5)

A walking aid cane comprising: a cane body part; a grip part attached to the upper end side of the cane body part; and a plurality of support legs attached to the lower end side of the cane body part. The leg portion includes a piston capable of reciprocating in a cylinder in which a fluid is sealed, and includes a buffer mechanism capable of changing a length by expanding and contracting by a load, and the plurality of the support leg portions in the buffer mechanism. A walking aid cane characterized in that a fluid is sealed inside by communicating with a cylinder .   The walking assisting wand according to claim 1, wherein the buffer mechanism is provided with a stopper so as not to shrink beyond a predetermined length. The walking aid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cylinders in the buffer mechanism of the plurality of support legs arranged in the front-rear direction on the human body side are communicated with each other and fluid is sealed therein. Cane. The walking assisting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a chamber communicating with the cylinder in the buffer mechanism of the plurality of support legs is formed inside the cane body. Cane. The walking assist cane according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a stone thrusting portion is rotatably provided at a lower end of the support leg portion.

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