GB2555588A

GB2555588A - A walking aid retention device

Info

Publication number: GB2555588A
Application number: GB1618429.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Samuel Darch Ross
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-11-01
Filing date: 2016-11-01
Publication date: 2018-05-09
Anticipated expiration: 2036-11-01
Also published as: GB2555588B; GB201618429D0

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for retaining a walking aid, such as a walking stick or crutch, on a wall. The device comprises a wall attachment means 43, a body 41, and a walking aid securement mechanism 42. The securement mechanism 42 loops around part of a walking aid in use. The wall attachment means 43 may comprise a suction cup, which may be of a bipartite construction comprising a rigid part (45, figure 2) and an elastomeric part (46, figure 2). The body 41 may comprise a clip mechanism 7 for a walking aid. The securement mechanism may comprise two loops of material 10,11 and/or a clip mechanism. The securement mechanism may comprise a semi-permanent mechanism with a part that is permanently or semi-permanently connected to a walking aid.

Description

(54) Title ofthe Invention: A walking aid retention device

Abstract Title: Walking aid retaining device with wall attachment element (57) Disclosed is a device for retaining a walking aid, such as a walking stick or crutch, on a wall. The device comprises a wall attachment means 43, a body 41, and a walking aid securement mechanism 42. The securement mechanism 42 loops around part of a walking aid in use. The wall attachment means 43 may comprise a suction cup, which may be of a bipartite construction comprising a rigid part (45, figure 2) and an elastomeric part (46, figure 2). The body 41 may comprise a clip mechanism 7 for a walking aid. The securement mechanism may comprise two loops of material 10,11 and/or a clip mechanism. The securement mechanism may comprise a semipermanent mechanism with a part that is permanently or semi-permanently connected to a walking aid.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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A WALKING AID RETENTION DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a walking aid retention device, in particular for retaining the walking aid on a surface or structure; more particularly but not exclusively a means for maintaining an aid, such as a walking stick or crutch, when not in use and for easy use.

Background

Increasingly ageing populations across many societies leads to an increasing number of users of walking aids such as walking sticks or crutches.

Such walking aids can be very helpful to users in leading a more fulfilled and happier life. However when not being used for walking, for example when the user is seated, these aids can be problematic, particularly with respect to storage for easy recovery.

Prior Art

GB 2 487 220 (BROWN) discloses a device for retaining a walking stick comprising a back plate and side arms, which extend in the shape of an interrupted semi-circle and may be attached to a variety of surfaces by means of a strap or using the holes provided for screws, or with vacuum suction cups.

CN 201 813 992 (LUXIN) discloses an umbrella which comprises an umbrella body and a rope arranged on an umbrella handle; connected with the umbrella handle and with a root part namely a suction cup.

US 20 100 288 893 (TAN) discloses a pole holding assembly formed of resilient material, with at least one planar surface attached to a convex surface such that the planar surface is perpendicular to a plane formed by a perimeter of the concave surface and wherein the assembly has at least one through hole. The through hole is at right angles to the planar surface and is sized and shaped to grip a pole. When the suction cup portion is pressed onto a smooth surface and a pole is positioned within a through hole, the pole is maintained in a position parallel to the smooth surface. The through holes include interior ridges for improved grip. A release arm is attached adjacent an outer edge of the convex surface for suction cup removal.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a walking aid retention device comprising a wall attachment means, a body, and a walking aid securement mechanism, wherein the securement mechanism is arranged to loop around a part of the walking aid.

The wall attachment means may comprise a temporary wall attachment means. Such temporary wall attachment means may include one or more suction cups.

In some embodiments the wall attachment means may be bipartite; that is the parts may be separable for use. For example the wall attachment means may include hook and loop material portions, such as Velcro (RTM), wherein a hook part may be connected to a wall or other surface and a loop part is connected to the body of the walking aid.

In other embodiments the bipartite parts may be complementary in shape; for example comprising a first attachment part and a second consolidation part, wherein the second consolidation part is used to close, secure or catch the first consolidation part.

Optionally the first consolidation part may comprise a suction cup and the second consolidation part may comprise a lever closure over the first consolidation part, such that the second part consolidates the suction cup and pushes it against a wall or surface. Removal or reversal of the second consolidation part therefore acts to free the first consolidation part and the attachment.

In some embodiments the body may be solely a means of supporting the attachment means and securement mechanism.

In some embodiments the body may comprise a part of the securement mechanism and/or attachment means, for example comprising a suction cup with an extending hook or other securement mechanism base.

In other embodiments the body may provide a secondary function, for example comprising a light source to aid a user in finding their mobility aid. Such light source may comprise a luminescent or fluorescent coating or material, or may comprise at least one light emitting diode (LED) and an energy source.

In some embodiments the body may provide a hanger, a hook, a storage means and/or a clip means, arranged for receipt of a walking aid or of another object.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows an end view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figures 5 to 12 show sketches subject to later formalisation

Figures 5 show isometric views of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention, and in use respectively;

Figure 6 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figures 5;

Figure 7 shows an isometric view of a third embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in use;

Figures 8 show an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, and two side views of the wall attachment means in variant usage positions, respectively;

Figures 9 show isometric views of a fourth embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in use;

Figures 10 show isometric views of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, and in use, respectively;

Figure 11 shows an isometric view of a fifth embodiment of the device according to the present invention; and

Figures 12 shows isometric views of the embodiment shown in Figure 11, in use and exploded respectively.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to Figures 1 to 4 there is shown an embodiment of the walking aid retention device comprising a suction cup wall attachment means 43, which is mounted on a body 41. The body 41 further mounts the walking aid securement mechanism 42. The securement mechanism comprises loops of strapping 10, 11.

The walking aid may be a walking stick or crutch 75.

The securement mechanism 42 comprises a first suction cup 9 part and a second cup closure 45 part, which comprises a moveable part with reference to the first part 9.

The body 41 in the pictured embodiment comprises a clip structure extending perpendicular the wall and wall attachment means, and is unitary with or integrated on the second part 45.

The body 41 thereby comprises two resiliently deformable clip arms 7 describing a circle with an open segment for receipt of a cylindrical item such as a walking stick. The arms comprise wide planar parts describing a short length of cylinder with a missing circumferential segment of around 90 to 140 degrees.

The arms have tapered ends 78 so as to aid in introduction of the walking aid, with deformation of the arms to receive such aid. The body 41 is continuous with and extends from a shallow convex disc 13 forming the attachment means’ second part

45.

The disc 13 includes a slot 5 for receipt of the first strap loop 10.

The body 41 further comprises two braces 8 which extend radially from the underside of the arms to join to the topside of the disc 13 or second securement mechanism part 45.

The underside of the disc 13 or second attachment means part 45 includes a socket 21 for receipt of the first attachment means part 46. The socket 21 is central to the underside.

The parts of the attachment means are permanently bonded together.

The second part 45 thereby comprises a unitary part, which is formed in a rigid material such as a thermoplastics such as polyethylene. The first part 46 is formed in rubber, silicone or elastomeric thermoplastic.

The first part 46 comprises a substantially conical form at rest, with an open base and leading to a solid disc end cap 12. This end cap 12 extends from the cone point.

The first part 9 includes a tab 14 extending radially from the base.

In some other embodiments the body may comprise a tubular structure through the centre of the second part and extending from the centre of the first part.

The second part thereby moves axially on the body towards the wall so as to push the first part thereagainst and create a vacuum. This is done manually by pushing the second part 45 towards the wall in the pictured embodiment although embodiments using a lever may be envisaged.

Release of the second part 45 is liable to release the vacuum and consequently the first part 46.

The strapping securement mechanism 42 comprises two lengths of webbing straps in manmade or natural fibres, a first 10 of which passes through a slot 5 in the second part of the securement mechanism. The slot 5 is recessed in a indentation 6 in the disc 13.

The securement mechanism comprises three buckles 1,2,3, wherein the first buckle 1 acts to secure and join the ends 4 of the first strap 10. The second buckle 2 acts to link the two straps 10,11 together. The third buckle 3 acts to secure and join the ends of the second strap 11. The free ends 4 of the straps comprise branding and grip tabs 17.

The buckles are formed of rigid thermoplastics such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (abs) or aluminium and comprise rectangular parts with two parallel longitudinal slots 16.

In this way the strap loops may be shortened or lengthened. Accordingly the walking aid may be tightly or loosely held.

With reference to Figures 5 and 6 there is shown an embodiment that has a suction cup base that can be clamped to any non-porous shiny surface and hinged arm, wherein one part of the arm 67 has a clip mouth 68 at one end and the arm 67 has a hinge 70 to a second part, which second part is hinged to a cradle 73 extending from the wall attachment means 74 which comprises a rigid disc 74 and elastomeric suction cup 77, and a lever 71, which is hinged to a hinge 69 to manipulate the wall suction cup with an over centred cam lock.

The arm can then be hinged and, if needed, a sliding collar can lock the arm parts into a linear position. The user can then clip their crutch 75 into the clip on the arm end to hold it in place.

Ribbing along the arm increases strength and reduces flex.

The collar locates into moulded bump fits to ensure that the collar is properly positioned when in use.

The embodiment has multiple hinge points, allowing the C clip arm to rotate to hold the crutch in multiple positions.

The embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8 has a very simple design and uses a similar suction cup base 44, 47 securement mechanism to the second embodiment with an over centred cam latch lever 41 on a central hinge 49; being easier to open than a twist lock.

The crutch 75 simply hangs through two loops 45,46 of fabric which is secured to a wide barrel lanyard attachment point 42 extending from the rigid part 44 of the wall attachment means. The straps can be stored into a space similar in size to the suction cup.

The strap has two loops 45, 46 so that the user can pass the handles of two crutches through the loops and hang the crutches against the wall 96. This forms the attachment means, and the lanyard attachment point the body. The loops are sewn together at a joint 48 and the proximal loop 46 has a lanyard loop 43.

The cam lever 41 is designed so that once rotated flat, it pulls the suction cup 51 into the body 44, creating a seal and locking the suction cup 51 tightly to the surface. An extending tab 47 enables the suction to be broken easily as required.

Due to the fabric nature of the strap, the suction cup 51 can be attached in any orientation to hold the crutches.

With reference to Figures 9 and 10 the embodiment shown would be semipermanently attached to the crutch 75.

A top collar 82 slides over and is tightened around the crutch 75, securing it in place. The collar 82 is secured with a grub screw 85.

The embodiment has a moving intermediate arm 86 with a hinge 83 to the top collar arm 82, and to a support arm 81 with a suction cup 80 attachment means on one end and a clip mechanism 84 on the other end, which adds rigidity to the device by providing a second securement mechanism point to the crutch.

The adjusting hinge bolt 83 tightens a toothed pivot between the arms, so the user can lock the arms in place.

The embodiment folds up on itself when not in use and would be positioned behind and underneath the crutch’s hand grip, out of the user’s way. The user can rotate the arm after loosening the adjustment bolt.

The clip mechanism 84 on the end of the arm pivots around the hinge and clips to the body to give the embodiment more strength as there are two connection points to the crutch.

The arm is long enough to still attach to a wall wherein the form of a crutch has been considered so that there is a gap between the wall and the crutch head.

With reference to Figures 11 and 12 the embodiment lacks the extra arm wherein the user can pivot the suction arm 29 having a suction cup 27 attachment means, into place using an adjusting bolt 26. This embodiment can fix to both tables and walls, due to the flexibility in the arm rotation.

The suction arm can for example be locked at a 90° angle so the suction can stick to a table surface.

The arm 29 and collar 28 feature a toothed pivot 26 and adjusting bolt which when tightened, locks the teeth into place. This allows for maximum adjustability whilst providing a mechanical engagement.

When not in use the suction cup attachment means can be folded close to the crutch body to ensure it doesn’t get in the way.

The securement mechanism is semi-permanent comprising a closed loop 28 with grub screw 30 closure.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

1. A walking aid retention device comprising a wall attachment means, a body, and a walking aid securement mechanism, wherein the securement mechanism is arranged to loop around a part of the walking aid.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprises a suction cup.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the suction cup comprises a bipartite means comprising an elastomeric part and a substantially rigid part.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the body comprises a clip mechanism for the walking aid.

5. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the securement mechanism comprises two loops of material.

6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the securement mechanism comprises a clip mechanism.

7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the body includes a light.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: Claims searched:

GB1618429.3

1-13

7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the securement mechanism comprises a semi-permanent mechanism comprising a part permanently or semi-permanently connected to the walking aid.

8. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the body comprises an articulated arm.

9. A device substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

10. A device substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

11. A device substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 7 and

8.

12. A device substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

13. A device substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 11 and

12.

Amendment to Claims have been filed as follows

Claims

1203 18

1. A walking aid retention device comprising: an attachment means for attaching

5 to a wall, the attachment means comprising a suction cup; a body; and a walking aid securement mechanism comprising two loops of material arranged to loop around part of a walking aid and a clip for receiving a walking aid; wherein the clip extends from the body, the body has a slot for receiving at least one of the two loops of material, and the body is connected

10 to the suction cup.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the suction cup comprises a two part means comprising an elastomeric part and a substantially rigid part.

15 3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the securement mechanism comprises a semi-permanent mechanism including a part permanently or semi-permanently connected to the walking aid.

4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the clip comprises two

20 resiliently deformable clip arms describing a circle with an open segment for receipt of a cylindrical item such as a walking stick.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein the clip arms have tapered ends.

25 6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the body comprises an articulated arm.