US3051097A

US3051097A - Travel aid for the blind

Info

Publication number: US3051097A
Application number: US113003A
Authority: US
Inventors: Louis W Wyman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-05-26
Filing date: 1961-05-26
Publication date: 1962-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 1979-08-28

Description

Aug. 28:1?62

Filed May 26. 1961 L. w. WYMAN 3,051,097

TRAVEL AID FOR THE BLIND 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR. 00/3 4/. WYMA/V Aug. 28, 1962 L. w. WYMAN 3,

TRAVEL AID FOR THE BLIND Filed May 26, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

(GU J PM WYMA N United States Patent 3,051,097 TRAVEL AID FOR THE BLIND Louis W. Wyman, 799 Mountain View Drive, Moab, Utah Filed May 26, 1961, Ser. No. 113,003 7 Claims. ((31. 104 247 This invention relates generally to aids for the blind, and in particular to a track-and-follower arrangement for clearly marking a course of travel which may be easily sensed by a blind person. In the main, people thus afliicted, of necessity develop a keen sense of direction and an awareness of environment which serves in large measure to overcome their handicap, especially within their domicile, and other local sites frequently visited. However, the handicap can never be considered as completely overcome, and since the smallest mischance may have grave consequences it is highly important to supplement the individuals faculties with a guide means of a positive nature.

It is, therefore, a general object of the invention to provide a mechanical aid for guiding localized travel by the blind. A further object is to provide a device of the aforesaid nature which, while certain and positive in function, and adaptable in continuity over reasonably large areas, is nevertheless compact, and unobtrusive in the environment. More specifically, it is an object to provide a track guide system for cooperation with a follower carried by the individual. Other objects are to provide such an aid, which is simple in structure, reasonably small in size, free from unsightliness, low in cost, and easy of manufacture, installation and maintenance.

These and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are attained by the present invention, which may be briefly described as comprising, in the preferred form, a channel-form track of rubbery material having sloping, ramp-like sides overlying air spaces of triangular section, whereby to yield to the pressure of a foot in ordinary traffic, the track being adapted to guide a follower roller carried on the lower end of a cane-like implement.

For a more detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the following specification, as illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the track and the roller follower, being used by an individual,

FIGURE 2 is a schematic view, showing the track layout, in plan view, in a typical dwelling,

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the roller, engaged in the guide track, the latter being shown in cross section,

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view, taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3, and

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a fragment of the track, taken at a branch junction, and showing a site marker.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, and particularly FIGURES 3 to 5, the track, which may be made in short sections of standard length, or cut to length from long stock, comprises a single sheet of rubbery material, or plastic, molded or extruded in a form to provide a central, rectangular channel-form groove 10, having a flat bottom 12, and flat, vertical sides :14, 16, and ramp-

like flanges

18, 20, making a low, dihhedral angle with the horizontal, and having bevelled, outer edges co-planar with the under-side of the channel bottom 12, and adapted to dwell on a floor or ground surface.

Due to the sheet-form of the material and the slope of the ramps, a hollow space exists between each of them and the supporting surface, and the system therefore is adapted to easily collapse under the weight of a foot, so that it does not present a hazard to either the blind, or the members of the household having normal vision.

3,951,097 Patented Aug. 28, 1962 The slope of the ramps also helps to minimize the hazards or annoyances which might ordinarily be expected in a track layout. It will be noted that one of the corners, indicated at 22, between the channel and a ramp, such as 18, is rounded, while the other corner 24, is sharp. This constitutes a tell-tale device which indicates to the user the direction in which he is travelling; for instance, to or from the house, or out of or into the house. This corner structure may be easily sensed by the feel through the roller, either upon entering the track obliquely, or by a slight twist or tilt of the roller while in position in the track. This relieves in large measure the continual need for memorizing position on the occasion of each change of location.

As a follower, cooperating with the guide track, there is provided a free-wheeling roller 26, mounted on a shaft 28, consisting of a bolt with head 30, and carried in a fork mounting 32, being secured by a nut 34. On its top, the fork 32 carries an upright bolt 36, surrounded by a bearing sleeve 38 with a bottom flange 4t}. Mounted on the sleeve 38, for rotation about an axis transverse to that of the wheel shaft 28 is a sleeve 42 carried at the end of a dog-leg bend 44 on a metal ferrule 46, having a conical cavity 48 received on a reduced shank 50 on the lower end of a cane-like handle 52, which may have an upper crook, such as indicated at 54, for convenient hand grasping.

The roller 26 is preferably equipped with a rubber tire 56, and this will be of a width to substantially span the track channel 10, with slight clearance for easy passage, but not enough play to lead to derailment. The journalled mounting of the cane on the roller mounting also discourages derailment, especially at turns in the track, as well as permitting a comfortable range of orientation of the user.

7 As a further navigational aid, the track may be provided with site markers arranged in the path of travel so as to be encountered by a foot of the traveler. In the form illustrated in FIGURE 5, the marker comprises a three dimenSiQnal unit of distinctive form, comprising a base sheet, having a section 58 adapted to dwell on the floor or the ground, as the case may be, and a sloping section 60 arranged at an angle the same as the sloping sides of the track, to one of which it is permanently, or detachably connected by adhesive, or other suitable means. For identifying a particular location, the pad 58-60 carries distinctive features of shape and bulk, and in the case shown, the message is conveyed by a prismatic superstructure on the pad, consisting of a ridgeform prominence having a flat top 62 and sloping

sides

64, 66, the ridge extending from the sloping face 61) to the outer edge of the horizontal section 58. Obviously, the possible shapes and sizes of the markers are almost endless in variety, but as a practical matter, they will preferably be arranged in a series of variants in a definite family of geometric forms. Thus, whereas the prominence in FIGURE 5 is shown as having a flat top, this may occur in various widths, differing by sensible increments, and in particular, in FIGURE 1, the ridge is shown as a single sharp line, the apex of a prism of triangular section.

Fixing the track in place, to avoid creep is important, and for indoor use this may be conveniently accomplished by strips of adhesive 68, or a suitable cement, securing it to a floor 69. For outdoor use, the bottom of the track channel may be provided with perforations to accommodate spikes 70 (FIGURE 5) by means of which it is anchored to the ground 72,

In a typical layout, the track system will have spurs or branches, and in FIGURE 5 is shown one manner of effecting the joint at the spur, wherein one or the other 1:: of the meeting parts is undercut to provide a sloping and diagonal meeting edge 74.

In FIGURE 2 is shown a track layout in a typical threebedroom home, the structure of the dwelling being indicated in broken lines, and the track being indicated schematically, in solid lines. The system will be clear without detailed discussion, beyond noting that the track has a main trunk line 75 in the hall area, communicating with branches '78 leading to the several rooms, and in particular, two branches 80 leading to outer doors. For illustrative purposes, these latter are shown as having the site markers, as does a branch 82 joining the two, but the markers may be located as deemed necessary or desirable. One of the markers, 84, is similar to the one shown in FIGURE 5, while another, 86, is similar to the marker shown in FIGURE 1. A third marker, 88, appears as a four-sided pyramid.

While a certain preferred embodiment has been shown and described, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in the light of this disclosure, and the invention should not, therefore, be deemed as limited, except insofar as shall appear from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A guiding device for the blind, comprising a track of sheet-form, rubbery material having two sloping ramps with bevelled, outer edges adapted to dwell on a ground surface, said track having a channel-form, longitudinally extending groove defined by parallel wall portions depending from the inner edges of the respective ramps, and having a bottom wall substantially co-planar with the outer edges of the ramps, said ramps, wall portions, and ground surface defining triangular air spaces, one of said inner edges of said ramps being rounded, and the other being relatively sharp, means to fix said track in position on a supporting surface, a site-identifying element having a base portion secured, in part, to one of said ramps, and extending therefrom in part, and having a prominence for sensing by contact of a human foot, and a follower means for cooperation with said track, comprising a cane-like handle, with a transversely extending sleeve at one end, a roller mounting bracket having a portion journalled in said sleeve, and a roller mounted for free rotation in said mounting, said roller being of a width slightly less than that of the groove in said track.

2. A guiding device for the blind, comprising a track of sheet-form, rubbery material having a longitudinally extending, central groove of channel section, and side ramps arranged in sloping relation downward from the top of said groove, and defining air spaces above a supporting surface, said ramps having different and distinguishable surface characteristics at the line of junction with said groove, means to fix said track in position on a supporting surface, a site-identifying element having a base portion secured, in part, to one of said ramps, and extending therefrom in part, and having a prominence for sensing through contact by a human foot, and a follower means for cooperation with said track, comprising a handle, a roller mounting rotatably mounted on one end of said handle, and a roller mounted for free rotation in said mounting, on an axis transverse to that of said mounting, said roller adapted for rolling movement along the groove in said track.

'3. A guiding device for the blind, comprising a track of sheet-form, rubbery material with two downwardly disposed, sloping side ramps and a longitudinally disposed, central channel, said ramps defining air spaces above a supporting surface and having different, and distinguishable surface characteristics adjacent said channel, a site-identifying element, responding to the sense of feel, carried by one of said ramps, and a follower means for cooperation with said track, comprising a handle, a roller mounting rotatably mounted on one end of said handle, and a roller mounted for free rot-ation in said mounting, on an axis transverse to that of said mounting, said roller adapted for movement along the channel in said track.

4. A guiding device for the blind, comprising a track of sheet-form, rubbery material with two downwardly disposed, sloping side ramps and a longitudinally disposed central channel, said ramps defining air spaces above a supporting surface, and having different and distinguishable surface characteristics adjacent said chan nel, and a follower means for cooperation with said track, comprising a handle, a roller mounting rotatably mounted on one end of said handle, and a roller mounted for free rotation in said mounting, on an axis transverse to that of said mounting, said roller adapted for movement along the channel in said track.

5. A guiding device for the blind, comprising a track of sheet-form material with two downwardly disposed,

sloping side ramps overlying hollow spaces, and a longitudinally disposed, central channel, and a follower means for cooperation with said track, comprising a handle, a roller mounting rotatably mounted on one end of said handle, and a roller mounted for free rotation in said mounting, on an axis transverse to that of said mounting, said roller adapted for movement along the channel in said track.

6. A guiding device for the blind, comprising a track of sheet-form, with .two downwardly disposed, sloping side ramps overlying hollow spaces whereby to be collapsible under pressure, and a longitudinally disposed channel, and a follower means for cooperation with said track, comprising a handle, and a roller mounted for rotation at one end of said handle and adapted to roll along said channel.

7. A device as in claim 6, said track arranged in a plurality of connected, branch sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 406,391 Dibble July 2, 1889 1,734,041 Miller Nov. 5, 1929 2,068,403 Ekstrom Jan. 19, 1937 2,125,590 Smallwood Aug. 2, 1938 2,575,055 Jaeger Nov. 13, 1951 2,595,021 Swanson Apr. 29, 1952