Independently mountable device to keep a walking aid upright

Abstract

This is a device with two pivotable legs (5) and an extension lever (3), that makes a walking aid such as crutches or similar items stand upright independently. The deployed legs (5) and the walking aid form a stable tripod. The legs (5), which are resting in a space-saving upward position parallel to the main tube (2), are deployed by lifting the walking aid and by pulling a lever (3), which is connected with a string (C) to the legs (5). The legs (5) make a forward rotation until blocked by a blocker (10), while gravity keeps them blocked and the walking aid standing once put on the ground. The legs (5) return automatically to their resting position through the pulling force of a spring by lifting the walking aid. The leg's (5) tips relative position from space-saving to tripod changes during the rotation through two incorporated angles.

Description

[Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]Independently mountable device to keep a walking aid upright

[0001] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024][Fig.2] The complete device consists of three main parts: The extension lever part (A) and the supporting part (B), mounted at the bottom of the item to be supported, in this example a walking aid like a crutch. A string (C) transfers the pull force from the extension lever part (A) to the supporting part (B).

[0002] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024][Fig .3] The extension lever part (A) consists of any type of fixture, that keeps a lever, knob or loop attached to the string (C) ready for being pulled by the finger of the personusing the walking aid. In the present configuration two brackets (1 ) embrace the tube (2) of the walking aid and which are connected with screws to keep it fixed in place. One ofthe brackets contains a freely moving lever (3) to which the connecting string (C) is attached.

[0003] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024][Fig .4] The supporting part (B) also consists of one or more brackets (4). Their exact shape and form of fixation can vary, as long as the two extension mechanisms are kept parallel and mirrored to each. In the present configuration one main and two complementary brackets (4), connected with one screw, contain the exactly same leg extension mechanism mirrored to each other. Therefore, only one of them will be described in detail.

[0004] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]To the leg (5) is mounted a rotator piece (6), which in turn is mounted to the bracket (4) with a screw (7) around which the leg (5) and the rotator piece (6) will rotate during the extension process.

[0005] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The retracted position of the leg (5) and rotator piece (6) is from the supporting part (B) upwards parallel to the tube (2) of the walking aid and blocked in further retraction by a fixed blocker (12). The string (C) coming from the extension lever is attached to a splitter (8), that holds an additional string, one end for each leg. It is wound from behind, then under around roughly 3 / 4 of the rotator piece (6) until it is fixed to it right above the screw (7).

[0006] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]Since the extended legs (5) are held in place purely by the weight of the walking aid, gravity, the screw (7) and the variable blocker (10), the legs (5) will be automatically retracted through a torsion spring (11), which is placed pre-tensioned half into the rotator piece (6) and half into the bracket (4), and of which one end is blocked in the bracket (4) and the other engaged by the rotary piece (6). During the leg deployment it is put under even more tension and wound around the screw (7), therefore left to retract again when the walking aid is lifted from the ground. Alternatively, a tension spring or rubber band can also be used to achieve the retraction of the leg. In this case, one part would be attached to the bracket (4) and the other to the rotary piece (6). The tension spring or rubber band would be wound from above around the rotary piece (6) during the extension process.

[0007] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024][Fig.5] For extending the legs, the walking aid must not touch the ground. When the lever (3) is pulled, the unwinding string (C) sets the rotator piece (6) into a rotary movement and the leg (5) rotates forwards, then below the level of the walking aid’s lowest tip (9), until it is stopped by a variable blocker (10) roughly 250° from its retracted position. Both legs (5) are now fully extended and the walking aid can be safely placed on the ground as a tripod.

[0008] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024][Fig.6] For the tripod to be effective, the tips of the two legs (5) and the tip (9) of the walking aid need to be apart from each other and form a triangle. For the two tips of the legs being able to move further away from each other during the extension, two relative angles have been integrated into the design: One angle alpha between the leg (5) and the rotator piece (6) and the same angle alpha between the rotator piece (6) and the bracket (4). In the retracted position they cancel each other out, keeping the legs (5) parallel to the tube (2), but they start creating an angle between them the more they are extended.

[0009] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024][Fig.4] The device is adapted to the varying centres of gravity of the different items that need to be kept upright as follows: A combination of the mounting height of the supporting part (B) on the tube (2) and the choice from different rotating positions of the variable blocker (10) blocks the legs and makes them touch ground sooner or later, therefore changing the angle between walking aid and ground.

[0010] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024][Fig.3] The string (C) is adapted in length, put under slight tension and fixed to the lever (3) once the extended supporting part (B) is properly adjusted, meaning that the device is in a balanced upright position.

[0011] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The present invention relates to devices that keep a walking aid such as a crutch, cane or similar equipment standing upright, independently of any further item such as a second walking aid, wall etc.

[0012] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]Most current devices, that aim to keep one or more crutches, canes or similar devices standing, rely on a further independent item like a second walking aid, a wall or similar. This does not solve the basic requirement of getting only one walking aid stand independently.

[0013] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]Devices which don’t need to rely on an independent item have either complicated, thus expensive, mechanisms mounted to the walking aid or even manufactured into them and / or need cumbersome handling, like having to use both hands, which is not with the person in mind who needs a walking aid.

[0014] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024][Fig.1] The present invention is a device with two pivotable legs (5) and an extension lever (3), that can be mounted to almost any walking aid such as crutches or similar items, that might need to stand upright independently. The deployed legs (5) and the walking aid form a tripod which keeps the walking aid standing by keeping the centre of gravity within the plane created by the tripod. This is achieved by adjusting the angle between walking aid and floor by mounting the device higher or lower and / or by changing the maximum deployment angle of the feet (5) relative to the walking aid through a variable blocker (10), therefore making the legs (5) touch ground sooner or later.

[0015] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The legs (5), which are resting in a space-saving upward position parallel to the walking aid’s main tube (2), are deployed by lifting the walking aid slightly and by pulling a lever (3), which is connected with a string (C) to the legs (5). The legs (5) make a forward rotation until blocked and forming a tripod. Gravity keeps the legs blocked and the walking aid standing. And when the walking aid is lifted again, the legs (5) return automatically to their resting position through the pulling force of a spring or rubber band. The deployment from a space-saving position to a tripod position is achieved through two incorporated angles between leg (5) and pivoter (6) and pivoter (6) and mounting bracket (4), that change the relative position of the leg’s tips depending on the rotative position of deployment.

[0016] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The present invention aims to solve the following requirements: It shall be able to be mounted to most existing crutches, canes or similar walking aids or items, that might need to stand upright independently, without modifying them during installation or operation. It shall be deployed with one finger and the least amount of force possible and independently of the device being held in the left or right hand. It shall return to the resting position automatically by simply lifting the device it is mounted to. It shall have the least parts possible while fulfilling the above requirements and also for being as light and cost effective as possible. It shall be easy to install and use, therefore making it accessible to more people who otherwise would get frustrated on a daily basis by falling walking aids or similar items.

[0017] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The underlying, well-known principle to the present invention is to use two retractable legs and the walking aid itself to form a tripod, which balances out the walking aid in an upright position.

[0018] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The main problems that similar inventions have is to deploy the legs with the least effort possible in terms of force and distance, to block the legs in a deployed position and then to retract them easily.

[0019] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]To solve the first part, the tensile force of the spring, needed to get the legs automatically back into retracted position while also keeping them safely in place while walking, needs to be seen as given. This force is overcome by finding a for the user acceptable balance between pulling force of the finger and the distance it needs to travel to fully deploy the legs. Both are adjusted simultaneously and inversely proportional by changing the radius for the unwinding string at the rotary piece of the leg.

[0020] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The second part is overcome by using a stationary blocker, by getting the legs to touch the blocker from below by rotating the long way round forwardly and then by using gravity to keep them pushed against the blocker.

[0021] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The innovation and therefore the advantageous effects in construction, handling and price in the present invention is as follows:

[0022] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]While firmly holding and slightly lifting the walking aid, one short pull with a finger on a lever extends in a single swing of around 250° two legs from a space-saving retracted to the final tripod position. Contrary to other devices the legs don’t swing the shortest distance until forming a tripod, but the longest. At this moment the walking aid can be safely put on the ground, while gravity and a blocker keep the legs in place, thus avoiding a further unblocking mechanism.

[0023] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The deployment from a space-saving position to a tripod position is achieved through two incorporated angles per leg, that change the relative position of the leg’s tips to each other depending on the state of deployment.

[0024] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The legs are pulled back to the resting position automatically through a spring by simply lifting the walking aid.

[0025] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The combination of these very simple mechanical principles and basic geometry relieves the user of an additional operation to retract the legs, except for having to lift the item the invention is mounted to.Fig. 1

[0026] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]illustrates the complete device for the abstract and summary in isometric view, mounted in deployed position on a crutch as an example.Fig. 2

[0027] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]illustrates the complete device and its main parts in isometric view, in deployed position.Fig. 3

[0028] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]illustrates the extension lever part and the upper part of the string in isometric view.Fig. 4

[0029] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]illustrates the supporting part including the parts of one of the leg extension mechanisms in exploded view and the lower part of the string in isometric view.Fig. 5

[0030] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]illustrates the complete device and its main parts in partially deployed position in a side view.Fig. 6

[0031] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]illustrates the incorporated angles in the supporting part in retracted position in a front view.

[0032] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The present invention mainly aims to solve the problem of constantly falling walking aids like crutches, thus giving the user unpleasant experiences, and given the huge amount of walking aids being used around the world permanently, the industrial applicability seems to be given for the following reasons:

[0033] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The invention can be very easily and cost effectively produced with currently existing off-the-shelf materials like screws, springs, nylon strings and plastics by using techniques like 3D-printing or injection moulding.

[0034] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]Additionally, the invention can be mounted in an extremely short period of time to almost any walking aid or similar item without the need to modify whatsoever.

[0035] [Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]And finally, it is meant to last a very long time without the need for maintenance or replacement, while still being able to unmount the device and mount it onto another item.

Claims

[Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]A device for maintaining an item in an upright position, comprising:An extension lever part facilitating manual deployment of the device.A supporting part enabling the item to maintain a stable, upright position.A string transferring force from the extension lever part to the supporting part, said string facilitating deployment of the supporting part to stabilize the item.[Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The device of claim 1, wherein the extension lever part comprises a pull loop or lever for manual operation and a means of attachment to the item requiring stabilization, said means of attachment being adaptable to various items.[Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The device of claim 1, wherein the string includes a splitter piece connected to the extension lever part and a secondary string connecting the two legs of the supporting part via the splitter, facilitating simultaneous deployment of both legs through an unwinding rotation upon operation of the extension lever part.[Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The device of claim 1, wherein the supporting part comprises:One or more brackets connected to the item to be stabilized, forming a main bracket adaptable to attachment onto the item, secured with various means of fixation, including screws or other fastening mechanisms.Two mirror-imaged leg extension mechanisms mounted on the main bracket.[Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The device of claim 4, wherein each of the two mirror-imaged leg extension mechanisms comprises:A rotator piece between leg and bracket for rotation purposes, screwed loosely to a surface of the bracket, which is inclined at an angle alpha relative to the bracket, such that the bottom part of the surface is more outward than the upper part.A leg connected to the rotator piece also at an angle alpha relative to the axis of the rotator piece, such that when the legs are retracted, the angles cancel each other out, positioning the legs parallel to the main tube for space-saving storage and creating a tripod with the leg’s tips and the main tube when deployed, held in place only by gravity.A blocker that stops the deploying rotation of the legs at different positions by being variably rotational around its fixation screw to adjust the maximum deployment angle of the legs, thereby altering the angle between the item and the ground during initial mounting and adjustment.A fixed blocker that stops the retracting rotation of the legs when being pulled back into the retracted position.A mechanism for automatically retracting the legs into a resting position, said mechanism including any type of spring or item with similar pull function attached to the rotator piece and the main bracket, facilitating automatic retraction of the legs when lifted from the ground and therefore overcoming the gravity’s function of holding the legs in a deployed position.[Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]The device of claim 1, wherein the item to be stabilized includes but is not limited to walking aids, umbrellas, or similar items requiring independent upright positioning, and wherein the extension lever part and the supporting part are adaptable to different items by adjusting the mounting height of the supporting part and selecting from different positions of the variable blocker.[Corrected under Rule 26, 01.05.2024]A method of using the device as claimed in any one of claims 1-6 to maintain an item in an upright position independently.