WO2018150398A2

WO2018150398A2 - Extendable handgrip with suction for supporting oneself in transportation means

Info

Publication number: WO2018150398A2
Application number: PCT/IB2018/053690
Authority: WO
Inventors: Manuel Alejandro TONG ZHANG; Lucía CHEUNG YAU; Jaime Eric QIU LIU; Elena CHONG LOO
Original assignee: Tinkerall
Priority date: 2018-04-23
Filing date: 2018-05-24
Publication date: 2018-08-23
Also published as: WO2018150398A3

Abstract

The invention relates to an extendable handgrip or handhold with suction for supporting oneself in transportation means. It comprises a head that can be adhered by suction to a surface; a telescopic bar with the possibility of extending between a retracted position and an extended position and that is connected to the head by one of the ends thereof by means of a damping segment; a handle for holding on; a joining segment arranged between the telescopic bar and the handle for holding on; a lever linked to the head and that is configured to cause suction made by the head with respect to the surface to which it will be secured; a release switch that is linked to the head and that is configured to introduce air between the head and the surface.

Description

EXTENDABLE HANDGRIP WITH SUCTION FOR SUPPORTING ONESELF IN

TRANSPORTATION MEANS

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention falls within the area of retaining handholds for passengers in vehicles. The present invention relates to an extendable device that is coupled in a non-permanent manner to the inside of the transportation means that the passenger uses and provides them with stability and a place to hold on. Thus, it provides a solution for those situations in which the passenger needs to have stability and support in transportation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Transportation means are very frequently meant to transport a large amount of passengers. One example would be buses in which many people are moved, some of whom are seated in seats for said purpose and others who are standing.

In the cases in which the transportation means have a high level of seat occupation, many of the passengers who are standing, or even the ones who are seated, do not have a supporting grip to hold onto.

Likewise, many transportation means incorporate bars or handgrips so that the passengers can grab them during their trip. However, these grips are not within reach of shorter people.

For example, document US20150328765 which describes a gripping device for electrical tools consisting of three parts is known from the state of the art. Said parts are a gripping part, a flexible connection, and an end element for gripping. The major disadvantage of the described device is that it does not enable portability or daily use by the user.

Document US201 1031787 A1 which discloses an fixture that helps the passenger hold on with a tube covered by a certain material in the grip area is also known. This facilitates the gripping of the fixture by the passenger. The major disadvantage is that the passenger cannot always reach it because it cannot be extended and, based on where it is placed, they may or may not reach it.

Document US20161 14472 A1 describes an fixture similar to the one proposed in US201 1031787 A1 but with a different mechanism for gripping the tubular handle. The associated technical problem is the accessibility thereof. Likewise, document US2008235914 A1 describes a portable grip that uses an extendable strap to provide support to the passengers. The most important technical problem associated with this grip is that the passenger who is not tall enough cannot grab the grip easily. Another important problem is that it is only useful if there is free space on the bar of the transportation vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes an extendable handgrip (hereinafter, the word handhold or handgrip can be used interchangeable) with suction for supporting oneself in transportation means. It is an extendable mechanical device that is portable and for personal use. The handhold can be adhered to different surfaces and is especially intended to be used inside transportation means.

Thus, the present invention represents a solution for those situations in which the passengers do not find free places on the bars of the transportation means or cannot reach that height. Thus, it enables all the users on transportation means to be able to have their own fixture for holding on in order to improve their comfort during the trip and prevent accidents. This means that the passengers can stay in a stable position during the trip when the handholds belonging to the vehicle are not available.

One of the keys of the proposed handhold is that it is extendable and thus allows there to be a point to hold on in transportation means, even for shorter users. Furthermore, the handhold comprises a suction element that adheres to any type of surface, preferably a smooth surface, thus allowing for the support needed to keep oneself stable in transportation means during a trip.

Thus, the main objective of this invention is to provide the users of transportation means with their own personal extendable handhold having a suction system that is sufficiently strong to support oneself and remain stable when the transportation means are moving.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As a complement to the description provided herein, and for the purpose of helping to make the characteristics of the invention more readily understandable, in accordance with a preferred practical exemplary embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, which by way of illustration and not limitation represents the following: Figure 1 shows a front view of the extendable handhold with suction in a retracted position.

Figure 2 shows a front view of the extendable handhold with suction in an extended position.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the extendable handhold with suction in an extended position when the lever has been actuated and a vacuum has been created in the head.

Figure 4 shows a top view of the extendable handhold with suction. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below with help from Figures 1 to 4.

The extendable handhold with suction for supporting oneself in transportation means can be seen for example in Figure 1 and it comprises at least one head (1 ) that can be adhered by suction to a surface to which a handgrip is to be secured so that the user can hold on comfortably.

It further comprises a telescopic bar (4) with the possibility of extending between a retracted position and an extended position and that is connected to the head (1 ) by one of the ends thereof. Since the bar is telescopic, the handhold can be used by any user, regardless of their height.

As seen in said Figure 1 , the handhold further comprises a handle for holding on (5) and a securing segment (3) arranged between the telescopic bar (4) and the handle for holding on (5). The handle for holding on (5) can be covered with some material, preferably with an ergonomic shape, which improves the comfort of the user when they grip it.

It has a damping segment (2) which enables it to adapt to different movements of the transportation means for greater comfort for the user. Likewise, the damping segment (2) enables certain clearance with the objective of increasing the resistance of the telescopic bar (4) against torsion, flexing and shearing forces, among others.

A lever (6) linked to the head (1 ) is also part of the handhold and is configured to cause suction made by the head (1 ) with respect to the surface to which it will be secured. The lever (6) can be manually actuated by the user when they have selected the surface and the position in which they want to place the handgrip.

The handhold further comprises a release switch (7) that is linked to the head (1 ) and that is configured to introduce air between the head (1 ) and the surface. It can also be manually actuated by the user and enables the handhold to be released in order to separate it from the surface to which it has remained secured during the trip since it will not be used anymore. This characteristic is very important because it enables the portability of the handhold.

In Figure 1 , the handhold has been shown in a retracted position, meaning the telescopic bar (4) is retracted. This is the position of the handhold when it is not being used or, for example, when it is being used by a user who is tall enough to reach the surface to which it is to be secured.

In Figure 2, the handhold has been represented in an extended position, meaning the telescopic bar (4) is extended. With this position a shorter user can access any surface of the transportation vehicle in order to secure the handhold to it through the head (1 ) and be able to hold on during the trip.

In Figure 3, the handhold is shown when the user has actuated the lever (6) and the suction has been activated, creating a vacuum between the head (1 ) and the surface in order to ensure that the device is correctly secured to the surface of the transportation vehicle. Preferably, the lever (6) is arranged in the handle (5) so that the user can actuate it comfortably. In an exemplary embodiment the lever (6) is a trigger. When the trigger is pulled a vacuum is created in the head (1 ).

As described, thanks to the damping segment (3), the handhold also has a certain degree of flexibility in order to enable the user to keep their balance with the movement of the transportation means.

In the situation in which the user gets on public transportation (for example, the subway) and there are no free handholds to hold onto, the handhold of the present invention can be used so that it is adhered firmly and securely to some surface, preferably to a smooth surface. The user must actuate the lever (6) so that it adheres to the desired surface, forming a vacuum between the head (1 ) and the surface. If reaching a surface that is farther away is necessary, the telescopic bar would simply have to be stretched out.

The user must actuate the release switch (7) in order to release the handhold from the surface to which it is secured during the trip. Preferably, said release switch (7) is arranged in the handle (5) for greater comfort for the user who, while still gripping, can apply pressure to the release switch (7) in order to separate the handhold from the surface and transport it to wherever they want or store it until the next use thereof. In Figure 4, a top view is seen of the handhold in which the head (1 ), the handle (5) and the release switch (7) can be seen.

Claims

1 . An extendable handgrip with suction for supporting oneself in transportation means comprising:

- a head that can be adhered by suction to a surface;

- a telescopic bar with the possibility of extending between a retracted position and an extended position and that is connected to the head by one of the ends thereof by means of a damping segment;

- a handle for holding on;

- a joining segment arranged between the telescopic bar and the handle for holding on;

- a lever linked to the head and that is configured to cause suction made by the head with respect to the surface to which it will be secured;

- a release switch that is linked to the head and that is configured to introduce air between the head and the surface.

2. The handgrip of claim 1 , wherein the lever is arranged in the handle.

3. The handgrip of claim 1 , in which the release switch is arranged in the handle.