GB2165981A - Distress alarm - Google Patents

Abstract

A distress alarm, for attachment to or incorporation within a walking stick, walking frame, crutch or the like, the alarm being activated automatically when the walking stick falls over or manually by a switch located on or adjacent to the handle of the walking stick. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Distress alarm This invention relates to distress alarms for attachment to walking aids such as walking sticks, crutches, zimmers or the like (hereinafter collectively referred to as walking sticks).

The houses of elderly or infirm persons are often provided with distress alarms. These alarms are activated by buttons or switches which are normally attached to the walls of one or more rooms of the house. Should an elderly person be in distress they can actuate the alarm which may produce a siren like noise or set a light flashing. Hopefully this attracts the attention of someone who can come to their aid.

However, should an elderly person fall or be unable to move they may find it difficult, if not impossible, to reach a button to actuate their alarm.

Portable alarms can be carried around the house by an elderly person but can be inconvenient if they also have to hold a walking stick and a cup for example.

According to the present invention there is provided a distress alarm for attachment to a walking stick, means being provided for actuating the alarm in a situation where a user of the walking stick is in distress.

The alarm may be activated by a sensor which detects the orientation of the alarm.

When the alarm, and thus the walking stick, are in a horizontal or near horizontal orientation the sensor may activate the alarm. A time delay mechanism may operate in the sensor whereby the alarm is activated if the alarm is in a horizontal or mear horizontal orientation for a finite interval of time.

The alarm may be activated by a manually operated switch located on the walking stick, preferably adjacent the handle thereof.

The distress alarm may be fixed to a walking stick or may be provided with releasable securing means whereby the alarm may be removable from a walking stick.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a walking stick provided with a distress alarm in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a plan view of a removable distress alarm in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a block diagram of the circuitry of the distress alarm of Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a walking stick 1 is made from two lengths of cooperating hollow tube 2, 3. One length of tube 2 is straight and is fitted with a stopper 4 which provides a non-slip support for the walking stick 1. The other length of tube 3 is shaped to form a handle 5 at one of its ends.

A proprietory form of distress alarm (not shown) is fitted inside the top length of tube 3. The alarm is activated by a button 6 provided on the handle 5 of the stick 1 so as to emit a siren-like tone and is powered by a battery 7 which fits inside one of the lengths of tube 2, 3.

Access to the battery 7 can be gained by separating the two lengths of tube 2, 3.

In use, a person using the walking stick 1 who is in distress presses the button 6 provided on the handle 5. This activates the alarm which produces a siren-like noise. Hopefully the noise alerts someone who may come to their aid.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, a second form of distress alarm 8 is mounted on a hose clip 9 such that the alarm may be easily transferred from one walking aid to another.

This alarm 8 is provided with a battery 10, a tilt switch 11 and delay circuit 12. The tilt switch 11 is opened or closed depending on the orientation of the alarm 8 and thus the orientation of the walking stick. In normal use, when the walking stick is in a vertical or near vertical orientation, the switch 11 remains open and thus the alarm 8 remains unactivated. However, should the walking stick fall over the switch 11 is closed and, after a twenty to thirty second interval controlled by the delay circuit 12, in which an accidentally dropped stick may be picked up, automatically activates the alarm 8.

Thus, should a person fall over and be unable to get up the alarm provided on their walking stick should be activated and attract some assistance. The alarm continues to sound until help arrives or the battery 10 exhausts.

Modifications and improvements such as the provision of a different form of attachment or the provision of an alarm which may be activated either manually or automatically may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention

CLAIMS 1. A distress alarm for attachment to a walking stick, means being provided for activating the alarm in a situation where a user of the walking stick is in distress.

2. A distress alarm as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said activating means are in the form of a sensor which activates the alarm when the alarm is moved to a horizontal or near horizontal orientation.

3. A distress alarm as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said sensor activates the alarm after a finite interval of time from detecting the change of orientation of the alarm.

4. A distress alarm as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said activating means are in the form of a manually operable switch.

5. A distress alarm as claimed in Claim 4,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Distress alarm This invention relates to distress alarms for attachment to walking aids such as walking sticks, crutches, zimmers or the like (hereinafter collectively referred to as walking sticks). The houses of elderly or infirm persons are often provided with distress alarms. These alarms are activated by buttons or switches which are normally attached to the walls of one or more rooms of the house. Should an elderly person be in distress they can actuate the alarm which may produce a siren like noise or set a light flashing. Hopefully this attracts the attention of someone who can come to their aid. However, should an elderly person fall or be unable to move they may find it difficult, if not impossible, to reach a button to actuate their alarm. Portable alarms can be carried around the house by an elderly person but can be inconvenient if they also have to hold a walking stick and a cup for example. According to the present invention there is provided a distress alarm for attachment to a walking stick, means being provided for actuating the alarm in a situation where a user of the walking stick is in distress. The alarm may be activated by a sensor which detects the orientation of the alarm. When the alarm, and thus the walking stick, are in a horizontal or near horizontal orientation the sensor may activate the alarm. A time delay mechanism may operate in the sensor whereby the alarm is activated if the alarm is in a horizontal or mear horizontal orientation for a finite interval of time. The alarm may be activated by a manually operated switch located on the walking stick, preferably adjacent the handle thereof. The distress alarm may be fixed to a walking stick or may be provided with releasable securing means whereby the alarm may be removable from a walking stick. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a walking stick provided with a distress alarm in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a plan view of a removable distress alarm in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a block diagram of the circuitry of the distress alarm of Fig. 2. Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a walking stick 1 is made from two lengths of cooperating hollow tube 2, 3. One length of tube 2 is straight and is fitted with a stopper 4 which provides a non-slip support for the walking stick 1. The other length of tube 3 is shaped to form a handle 5 at one of its ends. A proprietory form of distress alarm (not shown) is fitted inside the top length of tube 3. The alarm is activated by a button 6 provided on the handle 5 of the stick 1 so as to emit a siren-like tone and is powered by a battery 7 which fits inside one of the lengths of tube 2, 3. Access to the battery 7 can be gained by separating the two lengths of tube 2, 3. In use, a person using the walking stick 1 who is in distress presses the button 6 provided on the handle 5. This activates the alarm which produces a siren-like noise. Hopefully the noise alerts someone who may come to their aid. Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, a second form of distress alarm 8 is mounted on a hose clip 9 such that the alarm may be easily transferred from one walking aid to another. This alarm 8 is provided with a battery 10, a tilt switch 11 and delay circuit 12. The tilt switch 11 is opened or closed depending on the orientation of the alarm 8 and thus the orientation of the walking stick. In normal use, when the walking stick is in a vertical or near vertical orientation, the switch 11 remains open and thus the alarm 8 remains unactivated. However, should the walking stick fall over the switch 11 is closed and, after a twenty to thirty second interval controlled by the delay circuit 12, in which an accidentally dropped stick may be picked up, automatically activates the alarm 8. Thus, should a person fall over and be unable to get up the alarm provided on their walking stick should be activated and attract some assistance. The alarm continues to sound until help arrives or the battery 10 exhausts. Modifications and improvements such as the provision of a different form of attachment or the provision of an alarm which may be activated either manually or automatically may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention CLAIMS

1. A distress alarm for attachment to a walking stick, means being provided for activating the alarm in a situation where a user of the walking stick is in distress.

2. A distress alarm as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said activating means are in the form of a sensor which activates the alarm when the alarm is moved to a horizontal or near horizontal orientation.

3. A distress alarm as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said sensor activates the alarm after a finite interval of time from detecting the change of orientation of the alarm.

4. A distress alarm as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said activating means are in the form of a manually operable switch.

5. A distress alarm as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said switch is mounted on or adjacent to the handle of a walking stick.

6. A distress alarm as claimed in any one of the preceeding Claims, wherein the alarm is fixedly attached to a walking stick.

7. A distress alarm as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the alarm is removably attached to a walking stick.

8. A distress alarm substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 or Figs. 2 and 3.