System for height adjustment of a support for a walking aid

Abstract

The invention sets forth a height adjusting mechanism for height adjustable supports comprising a housing comprising an orifice adapted to enclose at least a tube or part of a tube and receptacle means adapted for receiving a corresponding attachment means of a wedge member, and a handle operable by a user and comprising at least two positions, locked and unlocked and movable between said two positions, the handle comprising a handle part and an eccentric lock protrusion to displace the wedge member.

Description

Title: System for height adjustment of a support for a walking aidField of invention

[0001] This invention relates to support materials for elderly or disabled persons, more specifically to a mechanism, device and system for height adjustment and locking of support(s) for a walking aid, and even more specifically to a rollator or walking aid comprising a main frame, wheels or feet, and height adjustable support(s), such as handles handles or arm supports, wherein each support is provided with a height adjusting and locking mechanism.Background

[0002] A walking aid is a device for assisting a user while walking or engaging in exercise on various types of terrain. A walking aid can be any type of device meant for aiding people with impaired ability to walk, both with wheels, known as a rollator, or without wheels, known as a walking board or walker.

[0003] The number and percentage of people using walking aids is increasing in most parts of the world, and the quality of life for these users depends on various support materials. Rollators or walking boards are one of the most important ones and enables the users to remain independent, and carry out everyday tasks like shopping and move around according to own free will. Adjusting the height of the walking aid to the user requirements is crucial for the users experience of the aid.

[0004] Common types of known systems, such as the ones disclosed in US2015 / 093182 Al, EP2343035 Bl or EP2825147 Bl, for adjusting the heights of adjustable handlebars comprises removing and reposition a pretensioned pin or ball. The mechanisms only lock the height of the handlebar by blocking vertical movement.

[0005] US2014 / 076090 A discloses a system for height adjustment of handlebar where a ball is pressed in a corresponding hole in an inner tube and a complex mechanism on the inside of the inner tube engages a ratchet mechanism to lock the device.

[0006] JP3003369 discloses a system for height adjustment of handlebar for a walker where a hinged cover protects the locking mechanism from accidentally being engaged by the user. The locking mechanism is a tilt lever with an engaging pin at one and a pushing surface and a pre-tensioned spring at the other end.

[0007] These types of mechanisms can require a considerable amount of force to operate and may result in an unsteady feel and rattling movement in the handlebar. Such solutions may therefore not be desirable for users suffering from diseases such as Parkinson’s, who can suffer from uncontrollable twitching and trembling muscle movement.

[0008] US7179200 Bl discloses a system for height adjustment of handlebar for a walker. The system comprises a housing, a plunger bar and an eccentric lock moving the plunger bar. The system does not disclose a failsafe mechanism for the plunger bar, and the locking mechanism is likely to damage the inner tube if the lock is engaged when the plunger is misaligning with the holes in the inner tube.

[0009] It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a mechanism and system for height adjustment of walking aids where the drawbacks mentioned is avoided. It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a device and system that locks the height of the handlebar by adding further locking means than only a pin blocking vertical movement. It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a device and system that improves rigidity to a height adjustable handlebar for a walking aid.

[0010] In order to provide a steady and failsafe system for height adjustment of the handlebar for a walking aid a system according to claim 1 is provided.Summary of the invention

[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art and solve at least the above mentioned problem. According to a first aspect there is provided a height adjusting mechanism for height adjustable supports comprising: - a housing comprising an orifice adapted to enclose at least a tube or part of a tube and receptacle means adapted for receiving a corresponding attachment means of a wedge member, and; - a handle operable by a user and comprising at least two positions, locked and unlocked and movable between the two positions, the handle comprising a handle part and an eccentric lock protrusion, and; - rotational hinge means adapted to attach the handle in a rotational manner to the housing, and; - a tension member situated between the handle and the housing and attached to the rotational means, the tension member being adapted to pretension the handle in one of the locked and unlocked positions, and; - a wedge member comprising a proximal end comprising attachment means adapted to coincide with the receptacle means of the housing and a free distal end.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the wedge member further comprises an intervening member on an inward facing side of the wedge member, the intervening member being adapted to intervene with notches, holes or indents on a tube.

[0013] According to some embodiments, the intervention member is a protrusion, ball, or the like.

[0014] According to some embodiments, the receptacle means are one or more of a notch, parallel grooves and / or a track located radially inward in the housing.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the wedge member further comprises a receiving member adapted to receive the eccentric lock protrusion, the receiving member being situated on an opposite side of the wedge member from the intervening member.

[0016] According to some embodiments, the wedge member further comprises a friction surface adapted to rest against an inner tube, wherein the friction surface is situated on the inward facing side of the wedge member.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the eccentric lock protrusion being adapted to push on or move the distal end of the wedge member, wherein the eccentric lock has two positions corresponding to the two positions of the locking mechanism: > a locked position, wherein the eccentric lock protrusion exerts a radially inward directed force on the receiving member of the wedge member pushing the friction surface towards the inner tube, thus fixing the inner and outer tube to each other by friction, and the intervention member engages one of the holes or recesses in the inner tube, thus fixing the inner and outer tube to each other by blocking, > an unlocked position wherein the eccentric lock protrusion frees the edge member from the inner tube and the intervention member is disconnected from the holes or recesses in the inner tube, freeing the inner tube to slide up or down in the outer tube.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the wedge member is comprised of two aligned and adjacent members, a first member and a second member, wherein the second member is configured as a strip and situated on the inside of the first member, lodged or fastened to a portion of the proximal end of the wedge member.

[0019] According to a second aspect there is provided a system for height adjustment of support for a walking aid, comprising the locking mechanism according to any of the the first aspect, wherein the system further comprises; - a walking aid comprising height adjustable handlebar comprising - an outer tube forming part of the walking aid, and; - an inner tube supporting the handlebar and comprising a plurality of holes or recesses positioned at regular intervals and in line and wherein the inner tube is slidably mounted in the outer tube, wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to lock and unlock the relative movement between the inner tube and outer tube.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the locking mechanism being fixed to the top of the outer tube of the walking aid and wherein the inner tube is aligned partly inside the outer tube and the orifices of the locking mechanism.

[0021] According to a third aspect there is provided a walking aid comprising the locking mechanism according to any of the first aspect.

[0022] Effects and features of the second and third aspects are to a large extent analogous to those described above in connection with the first aspect. Embodiments mentioned in relation to the first aspect are largely compatible with the second and third aspects.

[0023] The present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments of the disclosure by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from guidance in the detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure.

[0024] Hence, it is to be understood that the herein disclosed disclosure is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described since such device and method may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings does not exclude other elements or steps.Brief descriptions of the drawings

[0025] The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the rollator in an unfolded state. Fig. 2 shows perspective view of a height adjustment mechanism. Fig. 3a-3b shows perspective view of the wedge member of the adjustment mechanism. Fig. 4 shows perspective view of the wedge member as seen from above.Fig. 5 shows perspective view of the wedge member as seen.Fig. 6a shows perspective view of a height adjustment mechanism attached to parts of a walking aid.Fig. 6b shows perspective view of a height adjustment mechanism attached to parts of a walking aid.Fig. 7 perspective view of an height adjustment mechanism as seen from above.Detailed disclose of the invention

[0026] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred example embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled person.

[0027] When using words like upward, downward, front, back, etc. it is always with the respect to an unfolded upright walking aid in normal use on a floor. Inwards and outwards are used in relation to the orifice of the locking mechanism.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a wheeled walking aid comprises left and right lower horizontal bar with wheels mounted near the ends and left and right upright bars. The upright bars are fitted with height adjusted supports in the form of handlebars. Supports can be handlebars, handles, arm rest or a support contact of a walking aid adapted to be a contact point between a user and the walking aid. Normally, the height adjusted supports are fitted with a brake system (if the walking aid has wheels) and means for attaching a carrier bar, a seat, arm rest or other useful objects or contraptions. Furthermore, the walking aid may comprise a cross bar or foldable system connecting the two sides. The height adjustable mechanism and system may be employed and used with to nonfoldable walking aid which may comprise a traverse single bar handlebar.

[0029] The walking aid comprising a height adjustment mechanism might comprise an outer tube 10, an inner tube 9 with a plurality of holes 15 or recesses positioned at regular intervals and in line. The inner tube 9 is slidably mounted in the outer tube 10 and a locking mechanism / height adjustment mechanism is attached to the top of the outer tube 10. The handlebar(s) is located on top of the inner tube 9.

[0030] The cross section of the inner and outer tube may have different geometrical profiles, but the inner and outer tube must be compatible. The holes or recesses in the inner tube can be throughgoing passages in any shape or dents or notches not throughgoing, suitable for receiving the intervention member 14 in a way that prevents sliding movement between the outer tube and inner tube.

[0031] Fig. 2 discloses a first aspect of this disclosure, which shows a height adjusting mechanism 1 for height adjustable handles. The height adjusting mechanism 1 comprising a housing 7 surrounding an orifice 8 at least adapted to enclose at least a tube or part of a tube 9, 10 and receptacle means 11 adapted for receiving a correspondingattachment means 12, 20 of a wedge member 5. The mechanism 1 further comprises a handle 2 operable by a user and comprising at least two position, locked and unlocked and movable between the two positions, the handle 2 comprising a handle part and an eccentric lock 17. The handle part is an elongated member adapted for a user to grab and manipulate the handle 2.

[0032] The eccentric lock 17 may comprise a pivotal attachment point adapted to be attached to the hinge 3, a cam shaped body part and a lever part (handle part of handle 2). The cam shaped body must provide at least two stable positions corresponding to the locked and unlocked position of the eccentric lock 17. The cam shaped body part comprises a contact surface suitable for pushing on the receiving member 16 of the wedge member 5. The contact surface is situated a distance from the pivotal attachment point, where the distance between the pressure surface and the pivot point changes with respect to the rotational orientation of the eccentric lock 17. This is achieved by the cam shaped body part. The cam shaped part can be any suitable geometric shape such as, but not limited to, egg-shaped, eccentric, hexagonal or a combination, which would be obvious for a person skilled in the art. It may also be a protrusion protruding from the pivotal attachment point.

[0033] The handle 2 is adapted to be operable by the user and changes the rotational orientation of the cam shaped part of the eccentric lock 17. When the locking mechanism is set in the locked position, the handle 2 is operated by the user so the cam shaped part rotates around the pivot point 3 and the distance from the pivot point to the contact surface 16 reaches its maximum. In the unlocked position, the handle 2 is operated by the user so the cam shaped part is rotated in a position where the distance from the pivot point 3 to the contact surface is shorter than its maximum length and the contact surface 16 no longer forcibly pushes on the pushing surface 14 of the wedge member 5. In an embodiment the eccentric lock 17 is pivotally mounted in the housing 7.

[0034] Furthermore, the adjusting mechanism 1 as illustrated in fig. 2 shows a rotational hinge means 3 adapted to attach the handle 2 in a rotational manner to the housing 7, and a tension member 4 situated between the handle 2 and the housing 7 and attached to the rotational means 3, the tension member 4 being adapted to pretension the handle 2 in one of the locked and unlocked positions. The tension member may be a coiled- or leaf spring.

[0035] To facilitate locking and unlocking contact between two sliding tubes 9, 10, the adjusting mechanism 1 comprises a wedge member 5 comprising a proximal end comprising attachment means 12 adapted to coincide with the receptacle means 11 of the housing 7 and a free distal end 13. The attachment means 12 of the wedge member 5 corresponds to the receptacle means 11 of the housing 7, such that the wedge member 5 is removable attached to the housing 7. The receptacle means 11 may one or more of anotch, parallel grooves and / or a track located radially inward in the housing 7, and the attachment means 12 may be corresponding features to said notch, parallel grooves and / or a track located radially inward in the housing 7. The wedge member 5 may also comprise a receptacle for attaching a fastening mean 6 that fixedly attached the proximal end of the wedge member 5 to a top portion of the housing 7. The wedge member 5 is preferably situated on the inside of the housing 7.

[0036] The wedge member 5 may further comprises an intervening member 14 on an inward facing side of the wedge member 5, the intervening member 14 being adapted to intervene with notches, holes or indents 15 on / in the tube(s) 9,10. The intervening member 14 is illustrated as a protrusion. However, the intervention member 14 may be a ball, half dome, notch, bar, protruding member or the like.

[0037] Fig. 3a and 3b illustrates the wedge member 5. In fig. 3a the wedge member 5 is seen from the side with means at the top portion for attaching a fastening means 6. In the illustration, the fastening means 6 are a screw, however it should be understood that any suitable fastening means can be used, such as bolts, rivets, nails, frictions fitting means, clip on means, screw on means and / or precision fitting means. As can be seen in the figure, the wedge member 5 further comprises corresponding attachment means 12 at the top portion. In the illustration, the corresponding attachment means 12 protrudes from the top, wherein the protrusion is adapted to rest or coincide with the receptacle means 11 of the housing 7. The wedge member 5 extends to the distal end 13, from the proximal end (top in the figure) wherein the wedge member 5 comprises the intervening member 14 and receiving member 16 on opposing sides of the wedge member 5 by, on, towards or at the distal end 13. As illustrated, the intervening member 14 protrudes a distance from the relative flat member of the wedge member 5. Furthermore, the wedge member 5 may comprise a receiving member 16 adapted to receive the eccentric lock 17 or parts thereof, the receiving member 16 being situated on an opposite side of the wedge member 5 from the intervening member 14.

[0038] In fig. 3b illustrated the wedge member 5 as seen from the front wherein the intervening member 14 is located on a lower half of the relative flat member of the wedge member 5.

[0039] Fig. 4 illustrates the wedge member as seen from above, wherein the wedge member comprises two pairs of corresponding attachment means 12, 20 a first pair attachment means 12, 12’ comprised of two side protrusions 12, 12’ adapted to be fitted in grooves or the like of the corresponding receptacle means 11, and second pair attachment means 20, 20’ extending forward from the member of the wedge member 5 adapted to partly circumfuse at least a tube 9, 10 and fit in corresponding shoulders of the housing 7.

[0040] The wedge member 5 may further comprise a friction surface 18 adapted to rest against an inner tube 9, wherein the friction surface 18 is situated on the inward facing side of the wedge member 5. The idea is that by locking the inner tube 9 relative to the outer tube 10 with both engaging the protrusion 14 in a hole or recess and by pressing the friction surface 18 of the wedge member 5 to the inner tube 9, a secure locking mechanism is achieved. The pressing of the friction surface 18 on the inner tube 9 will prevent rattling and unsteady movements of the handlebar(s) and the engagement of the v will hinder sliding movement between the inner and outer tube, thus locking the handlebar both with friction and by blocking.

[0041] Fig. 5 illustrates an alternative of the invention wherein the wedge member 5 is comprised of two parts 21, 22, a first member 21 and a second member 22, wherein the first member 21 is comprised of a first material, and the second member 22 is comprised of a second material, wherein the first material can be composite, plastic, reinforced plastics, such as fibre-reinforced polymer or fiberglass, polymeric materials and / or metal, and wherein the second material can be alloys and / or metals. In the illustration, the second member 22 configured as a strip and situated on the inside of the first member 21, and can be comprised of a stripe of metal lodged or fastened to a portion of the proximal end of the wedge member 5, such that the a second member 22 can pre-tensioned inwards (away) from the first member 21. The face of the second member 22 can comprise the friction surface 18.

[0042] The intervention member 14 is in this embodiment comprised of a protrusion of the first member 21 and a corresponding protrusion of the second member 22. When employed and / or used in a system, the second member 22 can then be pre-tensioned away from the first member 21 and towards the inner tube 10, such that the protrusion of the second member 22 functions as an indexing mean when a user of the walking aid unlocks the mechanism and adjusts the height of the supports. In this embodiment, the second member 22 might be flexible such that the protrusion of the second member 22 can follow the holes of the inner tube in a tactile manner. That way, a user can feel when the intervention member 14 is engaged in a hole of the inner tube such that the inner tube is not damaged if a user forcibly tries to lock the mechanism when the intervention member 14 is not aligned with a hole.

[0043] Fig. 6a illustrates the locking mechanism 1 fixed to the top of the outer tube 10 of the walking aid (not shown) and wherein the inner tube 9 is aligned partly inside the outer tube 10 and the orifices of the locking mechanism 1. Normally, the outer tube extends from a structural part of the walking aid, and the inner tube 9 supporting the support and comprising a plurality of holes or recesses 15 positioned at regular intervals and in line and wherein the inner tube 9 is slidably mounted in the outer tube 10, wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to lock and unlock the relative movement between the inner tube 9 and outer tube 10 by forcing the intervention member 14 into the hole 15 chosen by the user, by positioning the handle into the locked position (shown in fig. 6a).

[0044] In use, the eccentric lock 17 is adapted to push on or move, directly or indirectly, the distal end 13 of the wedge member 5, wherein the eccentric lock 17 has two positions corresponding to the two positions of the locking mechanism: a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the eccentric lock protrusion 17 exerts a radially inward directed force on the receiving member 16 of the wedge member 5 pushing the friction surface 18 towards the inner tube 9, thus fixing the inner and outer tube to each other by friction, and the intervention member 14 engages one of the holes or recesses 15 in the inner tube 9, thus fixing the inner and outer tube to each other by blocking. In the unlocked position, the eccentric lock 17 frees the edge member 5 from the inner tube 9 and the intervention member 14 is disconnected from the holes or recesses 15 in the inner tube 9, freeing the inner tube to slide up or down in the outer tube.

[0045] Furthermore, fig. 6a illustrates an embodiment wherein the system comprises a pre-indexing height device 19 adapted to be attached to the inner tube 9 in a predetermined hole 15 of the inner tube 9, such that the pre-indexing height device 19can guide a user to a predetermined height for the support after the walking aid has been collapsed, for instance for transport. The pre-indexing height device 19 is comprised of a body part with a curve corresponding to the curve of the inner tube 9 and a protrusion protruding from the body and being adapted to fit in a hole 15.

[0046] Fig. 6a and bb shows the two positions of the locking mechanism, a locked position where the inner tube 9 is fixed in a position relative to the outer tube 10 thus fixing the height of the support / handlebar, and an unlocked position where the inner tube 9 is free to slide in a longitudinal direction of the outer tube 10, freeing the support / handlebar enabling the user to move the handlebar up or down to fit the height preferences of the user.

[0047] Fig. 6b shows the height adjustment and locking mechanism 1 in the unlocked position where the eccentric lock 17 frees the pressure from the friction surface 19 from the inner tube 9 and the intervention member 14 is disconnected from the holes or recesses 15 by being released of the pressure from the handle 2 and the protrusion of the lock 17, freeing the inner tube 3 to slide up or down in the outer tube 2. A user can simply and easily move the handle 2, and thus the locking mechanism from and between the locked and unlocked position illustrated in figure 6a and 6b.

[0048] Furthermore, in fig. 6b, the intervention member 14 is located between the holes 15 on the inner tube 9. When the intervention member 14 arrives at a hole 15, the flexible and / or pretensioned second member 22 of the intervention member 14 will enter the hole 15 and the user will feel a slight resistance when trying to move the support / handle further. The user will know that a hole 15 is located and that the handle 2 can be safely moved to the loved position, or the user can move to the adjacent hole 15 ifthe height is not preferable. Thus, the pretensioned second member 22 of the intervention member 14 functions as an indexer.

[0049] The second aspect of this disclosure shows a system for height adjustment of handlebar for a walking aid, comprising the locking mechanism according to first aspect wherein the system further comprises; a walking aid comprising height adjustable handlebars comprising an outer tube 10 forming part of the walking aid, and; an inner tube 9 supporting the handlebar and comprising a plurality of holes or recesses 15 positioned at regular intervals and in line and wherein the inner tube 9 is slidably mounted in the outer tube 10, wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to lock and unlock the relative movement between the inner tube 9 and outer tube 10.

[0050] In the second aspect, the locking mechanism may be fixed to the top of the outer tube 10 of the walking aid and wherein the inner tube 9 is aligned partly inside the outer tube 10 and the orifices of the locking mechanism 1.

[0051] Fig. 7 illustrates the mechanism 1 seen from above and fitted to the outer tube 10. In the illustration, the housing 7 circumferences the outer tube 10 and sits on top of the tube 10 with the intervention member 14 protruding inwards from the wedge member 5. The second pair attachment means 20, 20’ sits on top of the edge of the outer tube 10 in a lockable manner. In the figure, the orifices of the mechanism 1 and the outer tube 10 is illustrated with an partly oval shape. However, it should be understood that cross section of the inner 9 and outer tube 10 can be circular, oval, squared, elliptically shaped or shaped in any compatible geometrical profile. The walking aid can be a walking stick, a walking board, a rollator, a wheeled support device or an un-wheeled support device.

[0052] The third aspect of this disclosure concerns a walking aid comprising the locking mechanism according to the first aspect.

[0053] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. The person skilled in the art further realizes that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.Inventory1 Height adjustment mechanism2 Handle3 Hinge4 Tension member5 Wedge member6 Fastening mean7 Housing8 Orifice9 Inner tube10 Outer tube11 Receptacle means12 Attachment means corresponding to receptacle means13 Free distal end of wedge member14 Intervening member15 Holes in inner tube16 Receiving member of wedge member17 Eccentric lock18 Friction surface19 Pre-indexing height device20 Second attachment means21 First member22 Second member

Claims

Claims.

1. A height adjusting mechanism (1) for height adjustable supports comprising:- a housing (7) comprising an orifice (8) adapted to enclose at least a tube or part of a tube (9, 10) and receptacle means (11) adapted for receiving a corresponding attachment means (12) of a wedge member (5), and;- a handle (2) operable by a user and comprising at least two positions, locked and unlocked and movable between said two positions, the handle (2) comprising a handle part and an eccentric lock protrusion (17), and;- rotational hinge means (3) adapted to attach the handle (2) in a rotational maimer to the housing (7), and;- a tension member (4) situated between the handle (2) and the housing (7) and attached to the rotational means (3), the tension member (4) being adapted to pretension the handle (2) in one of the locked and unlocked positions, and;- a wedge member (5) comprising a proximal end comprising attachment means (12) adapted to coincide with the receptacle means (11) of the housing (7) and a free distal end (13).

2. The height adjusting mechanism (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wedge member (5) further comprises an intervening member (14) on an inward facing side of the wedge member (5), the intervening member (14) being adapted to intervene with notches, holes or indents (15) on a tube (9, 10).

3. The height adjusting mechanism (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the intervention member (14) is a protrusion, ball, or the like.

4. The height adjusting mechanism (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the receptacle means (11) are one or more of a notch, parallel grooves and / or a track located radially inward in the housing (7).

5. The height adjusting mechanism (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the wedge member (5) further comprises a receiving member (16) adapted to receive the eccentric lock protrusion (17), the receiving member (16) being situated on an opposite side of the wedge member (5) from the intervening member (14).

6. The height adjusting mechanism (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the wedge member (5) further comprises a friction surface (18) adapted to rest against an inner tube (9), wherein the friction surface (18) is situated on the inward facing side of the wedge member (5).

7. The height adjusting mechanism (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the eccentric lock protrusion (17) being adapted to push on or move the distal end (13) of the wedge member (5), wherein the eccentric lock (17) has two positions corresponding to the two positions of the locking mechanism:■ a locked position, wherein the eccentric lock protrusion (17) exerts a radially inward directed force on the receiving member (16) of the wedge member (5) pushing the friction surface (18) towards the inner tube (9), thus fixing the inner and outer tube to each other by friction, and the intervention member (14) engages one of the holes or recesses (15) in the inner tube (9), thus fixing the inner and outer tube to each other by blocking,■ an unlocked position wherein the eccentric lock protrusion (17) frees the edge member (5) from the inner tube (9) and the intervention member (14) is disconnected from the holes or recesses (15) in the inner tube (9), freeing the inner tube to slide up or down in the outer tube.

8. The height adjusting mechanism (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the wedge member (5) is comprised of two aligned and adjacent members (21, 22), a first member (21) and a second member (22), wherein the second member (22) is configured as a strip and situated on the inside of the first member (21), lodged or fastened to a portion of the proximal end of the wedge member (5).

9. The height adjusting mechanism (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the eccentric lock (17) is adapted to push on or move the distal end (13) of the wedge member (5).

10. A system for height adjustment of support(s) for a walking aid, comprising the locking mechanism (1) according to any of the claims 1-9, wherein the system further comprises;- a walking aid comprising height adjustable handlebar(s) comprising- an outer tube (10) forming part of the walking aid, and;- an inner tube (9) supporting the handlebar and comprising a plurality of holes or recesses (15) positioned at regular intervals and in line and wherein the inner tube (9) is slidably mounted in the outer tube (10), wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to lock and unlock the relative movement between the inner tube (9) and outer tube (10).

11. The system for height adjustment according to claim 10, the locking mechanism being fixed to the top of the outer tube (10) of the walking aid and wherein the inner tube (9) is aligned partly inside the outer tube (10) and the orifices of the locking mechanism (1).

12. A walking aid comprising the locking mechanism (1) according to any of the claims 1-9.

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