JP2008119414A - Self-standable walking stick - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To house leg pieces into a support cylinder in easy operation by one hand, and project the leg pieces from the support cylinder to open safely at slow speed. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of the leg pieces 6 is linked to a lower part of a lift member 7 provided in the support cylinder 2. The leg pieces 6 are changed between a closure position Y where they are housed in the support cylinder 2 as the lift member 7 is raised, and an open position where they are projected from the support cylinder 2 to radially open as the lift member 7 is lowered. In the support cylinder 2, a rotation member 10, an electric motor 11, and a power source part 12 are provided. A changing switch 5 is provided at a handle part 3, so that the electric motor 11 is rotated normally or reversely as the changing switch 5 is operated. A spiral guide part 17 is provided at the rotation member 10, so that an engagement part 16 provided on the lift member 7 is engaged. A lift guide 19 is fixed in the support cylinder 2, so that the lift member 7 is engaged in such a way that its lift motion is permitted, while its rotation is prohibited. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a walking stick that has a leg piece at the lower end and can stand on the floor surface when not in use. More specifically, the leg piece can be easily accommodated in the support cylinder with one hand, and the leg piece from the support cylinder. This is a self-supporting walking stick that can be safely opened and opened at a moderate speed.

  Conventionally, as a stick that radially opens a plurality of leg pieces at the lower end portion of the support cylinder and is self-supporting when not in use, by operating an operation section provided on the gripping section, the plurality of leg pieces are removed from the lower end of the support cylinder. There is one that opens and closes to open and close (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  That is, this prior art includes a support tube that is long in the vertical direction, a grip portion attached to the upper end of the support tube, an elevating member that can move up and down in the support tube, and a plurality of leg pieces that are linked to the lower part of the elevating member. The leg piece can be switched between a closed posture housed in the support cylinder by raising the elevating member and an open posture advanced from the support cylinder by lowering the elevating member. A release spring is provided in the support cylinder to press the elevating member downward. Further, the gripping portion includes a lock mechanism for locking the lifting member and holding it in the raised position, an operating means for releasing the locking by the locking mechanism, and lifting the lifting member upward via the wire. A strap is attached. The strap can be pulled out from the gripping portion and can be pulled back into the gripping portion by a return spring.

  When the walking stick is used in a normal state, the lifting member is locked by the lock mechanism and held in the raised position, and the leg piece linked to the lower end of the lifting member is accommodated in the support cylinder. It has been switched to the closed position. When this stick is made to stand on the floor surface, the lock by the lock mechanism is released by the operation means. As a result, the elevating member is lowered by the elastic force of the release spring, and the leg piece is advanced to the support tube and switched to an open posture in which it spreads radially. When the walking stick in a state where it can stand by itself is used for walking or the like, the strap is pulled out from the gripping portion. As a result, the elevating member is lifted via the wire and is locked by the lock mechanism and held in the raised position, and the leg piece is closed and accommodated in the support tube. Thereafter, when the strap is loosened, the strap is pulled back into the gripping portion by the elastic force of the return spring.

JP 2005-130966 A

In the above-described prior art, in order to return the walking stick to a normal use state, the leg piece for self-supporting is accommodated in the support tube by pulling the strap out of the grip portion. At this time, the strap needs to be pulled out as long as, for example, 10 cm or more, and the strap must be pulled out with the other hand while supporting the grip portion with one hand. For this reason, this closing operation cannot be performed with only one hand, and there is a problem that it cannot be easily used by a person with a disability in one hand.
In addition, when the above-mentioned conventional walking stick is operated to release the lock mechanism, the elevating member descends due to the elastic force of the release spring, so that the above-mentioned leg piece is rapidly moved from the lower end of the support cylinder. There was a risk of accidentally colliding with other objects and damaging the leg pieces.

  The technical problem of the present invention is to solve these problems, the leg piece can be easily accommodated in the support cylinder with one hand, and the leg piece can be safely advanced from the support cylinder at a gentle speed and opened. It is to provide a self-supporting walking stick that can be used.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured as follows, for example, based on FIGS. 1 to 4 showing an embodiment of the present invention.
That is, the present invention relates to a self-supporting walking stick, which is vertically movable in a support cylinder (2) which is long in the vertical direction, a gripping part (3) attached to the upper end of the support cylinder (2), and the support cylinder (2). The elevating member (7) and a plurality of leg pieces (6) linked to the lower part of the elevating member (7) are provided, and the leg pieces (6) are supported by the raising and lowering member (7). 2) A stick that can be switched between a closed posture (Y) housed in the inside and an open posture (X) that expands radially from the support tube (2) by lowering the elevating member (7), In the supporting cylinder (2), there is a rotating member (10) that is long in the vertical direction, and an electric motor (11) that rotates the rotating member (10) around the axis (2a) of the supporting cylinder (2). And a power supply unit (12) for driving the electric motor (11). The gripping unit (3) is provided with a changeover switch (5), and the power supply unit (12) is operated by operating the changeover switch (5). ) To the electric motor (11). The electric motor (11) is configured to be forward and reverse rotatable, and the rotating member (10) includes a spiral guide portion (17) around the axis (2a), and An engaging portion (16) that engages with the spiral guide portion (17) is provided in the elevating member (7), and the elevating guide (19) is fixed in the support cylinder (2). The above-mentioned elevating member (7) is engaged with the guide (19) so as to allow the elevating movement but prevent the rotation around the axis (2a).

  When the changeover switch is operated, the electric motor is driven to rotate the rotating member around the axis of the support cylinder. Since the elevating member engages with the spiral guide provided on the rotating member, the elevating member tends to rotate together with the rotating member. However, since this elevating member is also engaged with the elevating guide, it cannot be rotated, and as a result, the engaging portion moves up and down along the spiral guide portion, thereby causing the elevating member to move. Move up and down in the support tube.

  Specifically, for example, when the electric motor is rotated forward by operating the changeover switch, the elevating member descends according to the spiral direction of the spiral guide portion, and the leg piece connected to the lower end of the elevating member advances from the support cylinder. Then, it switches to an open posture that spreads radially. Conversely, when the electric motor is reversed, the elevating member rises and the leg piece is switched to the closed posture accommodated in the support tube. When the electric motor is stopped, the elevating member is supported by the spiral guide portion and the elevating guide, and the vertical movement is stopped at that position, and the leg pieces are held in the open posture or the closed posture.

  The above-mentioned rotating member only needs to have a spiral guide portion and is not limited to a specific structure. For example, when the rotating member is configured by a spiral filament, it is formed between the coil pitches of the spiral filament. The above-described spiral guide portion can be configured by the formed gap, which is preferable because the rotating member can be reduced in weight and the spiral guide portion can be easily formed and can be implemented at low cost.

  Since the present invention is configured and operates as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) By operating the change-over switch, the electric motor is driven to move the elevating member up and down. Unlike the above-described prior art, the leg piece is easily operated with one hand even when it is accommodated in the support cylinder. Even a handicapped person can easily use it.

  (2) The elevating member moves up and down in the support cylinder at a speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the electric motor and the helical pitch of the helical guide portion. For this reason, the leg piece linked to the projecting end portion of the elevating member can be safely advanced from the support cylinder at an arbitrary gentle speed, and the leg piece is prevented from being damaged due to an inadvertent collision with another object. can do.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is a perspective view of a stick with a leg piece closed and switched to a posture, and FIG. 1 (b) is a perspective view of a stick with a leg piece switched to an open posture. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the walking stick with the leg piece closed and switched to a posture, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which abbreviate | omitted one part of the stick.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), this stick (1) has a support cylinder (2) that is long in the vertical direction, a gripping part (3) attached to the upper end of the support cylinder (2), and a support cylinder (2). And a switch (5) is provided at one end of the grip portion (3). The changeover switch (5) can be switched between a first position, a neutral position and a second position.

  The bottom surface of the stone bump (4) is open, and by operating the changeover switch (5), it is accommodated in the support cylinder (2) as shown in FIG. 1 (b). Further, the plurality of leg pieces (6) advance from the lower surface opening of the above-mentioned stone thrust (4) and spread radially, and are switched to the open posture (X). In this state, the walking stick (1) is supported by the leg piece (6) and can stand on the floor surface or the like.

Next, the internal structure of the stick will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, a rod-like elevating member (7) that can be moved up and down is provided in the support cylinder (2), and a plurality of leg pieces (6) are provided below the elevating member (7). ) Are linked. This leg piece (6) is also linked to an opening / closing operation part (8) fitted on the lower part of the elevating member (7), and this opening / closing operation part (8) is arranged between the elevating member (7). The spring is pressed downward by the biasing spring (9).

  In the support cylinder (2), above the elevating member (7), a spiral filament (10) as a rotating member that is long in the vertical direction, an electric motor (11), and a power supply unit A battery case (13) containing a dry battery (12) is arranged. The spiral linear body (10) has an upper end that is externally fixed to the collar (14) fixed to the output shaft of the electric motor (11), and a support cylinder ( Rotate around the axis (2a) of 2). The dry battery (12) is electrically connected to the electric motor (11) via the changeover switch (5), and the changeover switch (5) has a first position and a second position. By the switching operation, the electric motor (11) is switched between forward rotation and reverse rotation.

  The gripping part (3) can be attached to and detached from the upper end of the support cylinder (2). By removing the gripping part (3) and opening the lid part (15) of the battery case (13), the dry battery ( 12) is exchanged. In the present invention, it may be configured such that the dry battery can be replaced by providing an opening / closing lid on the grip portion (3) and the like and opening / closing the lid. Further, a rechargeable battery may be used as a power supply unit so that a charging plug can be connected.

In the vicinity of the upper end of the elevating member (7), an engaging pin (16) projects. The gap formed between the coil pitches of the spiral filament (10) constitutes a spiral guide (17), and the engagement pin (16) is connected to the spiral guide (17). ) Is engaged.
In addition, a disc-shaped guide plate (18) is fixed to the lifting member (7) above the opening / closing operation portion (8). On the other hand, in the vicinity of the guide plate (18), a bar-like lifting guide (19) elongated vertically is fixed to the inner surface of the support tube (2). As shown in FIG. 3, the guide plate (18) is provided with a fitting groove (20), and the raising / lowering guide (19) is fitted into the fitting groove (20). .

Next, the operation of the stick will be described.
In the normal use state, the above-mentioned walking stick (1) has the above-mentioned change-over switch (5) switched to the neutral position, and as shown in FIGS. 7) is held in the raised position, and the leg piece (6) linked to the lower part of the elevating member (7) is switched to the closed position (Y) and accommodated in the support cylinder (2).

  In this state, when the changeover switch (5) is switched to the first position, the electric motor (11) is driven in the normal direction, and the helical linear body (10) rotates around the axis (2a). Since the engagement pin (16) is engaged with the spiral guide portion (17) of the spiral filament (10), the rotation of the spiral filament (10) causes the above-described engagement pin (16). The elevating member (7) tries to rotate. However, since this elevating member (7) cannot rotate because the fitting groove (20) of the guide plate (18) is engaged with the above elevating guide (19), it is guided by the elevating guide (19) and is pivoted. Lower in the direction of the heart (2a).

  When the elevating member (7) is lowered, the leg piece (6) advances from the opening (4a) at the lower end of the stone bump (4) to the lower side of the support cylinder (2). On the other hand, when the opening / closing operation part (8) externally fitted to the lower part of the elevating member (7) is received by the receiving part (4b) formed on the inner surface of the stone bump (4), the biasing spring (9) The descent stops at that position against the elastic pressure. As a result, the leg piece (6) linked to the opening / closing operation section (8) and the lifting member (7) is switched to the open posture (X) shown in FIG. 1 (b) or FIG. When the changeover switch (5) is switched to the neutral position in this state, the rotation of the helical linear member (10) by the electric motor (11) stops and the elevating member (7) is held at the lowered position. . As a result, the walking stick (1) is supported by the spread leg piece (6) and becomes independent on the floor surface.

  When the walking stick (1) is used for walking or the like, the switching switch (5) is switched to the second position. As a result, the electric motor (11) is driven in the reverse direction, and the spiral linear body (10) rotates in the reverse direction, so that the lifting and lowering of the engagement pin (16) engaged with the spiral guide portion (17) is performed. The member (7) is raised by being guided by the lifting guide (19). When the elevating member (7) is raised, the opening / closing operation part (8) is elastically pressed by the biasing spring (9), so that the leg piece (6) is in the direction of the axis (2a) of the support cylinder (2). When the elevating member (7) is raised, it is switched to the closed posture (Y) accommodated in the support tube (2) as shown in FIG. In this state, when the changeover switch (5) is switched to the neutral position, the rotation of the helical linear body (10) by the electric motor (11) stops and the elevating member (7) is held at the raised position. .

  The shape and structure of the elevating member and the rotating member, the arrangement of the electric motor, the power supply unit, the changeover switch, etc. described in the above embodiment are illustrated for embodying the technical idea of the present invention. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, an opening / closing operation unit is provided to open and close the leg piece. However, in the present invention, the leg piece is configured to open when the leg piece advances from the support cylinder and to close when the leg piece is accommodated in the support cylinder. For example, the lifting member and the upper end of the leg piece may be directly linked by an urging spring or the like.
Further, the electric motor is not limited to a specific type, and any leg piece may be set as long as the leg piece is set to advance at a suitable speed from the support tube, but a transmission is attached if necessary. Further, it is possible to provide a limit switch, a clutch, or the like that stops the rotation of the rotating member when the elevating member reaches the ascending position or the descending position.

Further, in the above embodiment, the rotating member is constituted by a spiral linear body, so that it can be easily manufactured and can be carried out at low cost. It is also possible to form a recess in the shape of a groove.
In the above-described embodiment, one engaging pin is provided on the elevating member. However, the engaging portion provided on the elevating member of the present invention is not limited to the pin, and a plurality of engaging portions may be provided. It is.
In the above embodiment, the fitting groove of the guide plate fixed to the elevating member is fitted to the elevating guide. However, in the present invention, the elevating member may be provided with a guide pin and fitted to the grooved elevating guide. It is also possible to fit the engaging pin into the groove-shaped lifting guide.

  The walking stick of the present invention can be easily operated with one hand to accommodate the leg piece in the support cylinder, and can be opened by safely advancing the leg piece from the support cylinder at a moderate speed. However, it is suitably used as a stick that can be used easily.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a walking stick in which a leg piece is switched to a closed position, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a walking stick that is switched to an open position. It is sectional drawing which abbreviate | omitted one part of the walking stick which switched the leg piece to the closed attitude | position which shows embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. It is sectional drawing which abbreviate | omitted one part of the stick which switched the leg piece to the open attitude | position which shows embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... stick 2 ... support tube
2a ... axis of support cylinder (2) 3 ... gripping part 5 ... changeover switch 6 ... leg piece 7 ... elevating member
10 ... Rotating member (spiral filament)
11 ... Electric motor
12… Power supply (dry cell)
16 ... engagement part (engagement pin)
17 ... Spiral guide
19 ... Elevating guide X ... Open posture Y ... Closed posture

Claims (2)

A support cylinder (2) which is long in the vertical direction, a gripping part (3) attached to the upper end of the support cylinder (2), an elevating member (7) movable up and down in the support cylinder (2), and the elevating member A plurality of leg pieces (6) linked to the lower part of (7),
The leg piece (6) is advanced from the support cylinder (2) by the closed position (Y) housed in the support cylinder (2) by raising the elevating member (7) and by lowering the elevating member (7). A cane that can be switched to an open position (X) that spreads radially,
In the support cylinder (2), there is a rotary member (10) that is long in the vertical direction, and an electric motor (11) that rotates the rotary member (10) about the axis (2a) of the support cylinder (2). And a power supply unit (12) for driving the electric motor (11),
The grip portion (3) is provided with a changeover switch (5), and the operation of the changeover switch (5) electrically connects the power supply portion (12) to the electric motor (11). 11) is configured to allow forward and reverse rotation,
The rotating member (10) includes a spiral guide portion (17) around the axis (2a), and the engaging portion (16) engaged with the spiral guide portion (17) moves up and down. Provided in the member (7),
The elevating guide (19) is fixed in the support cylinder (2), and the elevating member (7) is allowed to move up and down in the elevating guide (19), but the rotation around the axis (2a) is allowed. A self-supporting stick characterized by being engaged in a blocking state.   The rotating member (10) is formed of a helical linear body, and the helical guide portion (17) is configured by a gap formed between the coil pitches of the helical linear body (10). 1. A self-supporting walking stick according to 1.

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