braking and stabilization device

Abstract

A braking and stabilization device 1 for a user equipped with such a device 1, comprising a stick-type structure 2 having at its lower end 20 at least one braking and stabilization member 3 configured to bear against the ground, said structure 2 having at its upper end 21 a support element 4 configured so that at least one upper limb of said user bears against said element, said braking and stabilization member 3 having at least one wheel 30 with means for braking and locking 31 the rotation of said at least one wheel 30, the device 1 comprising a control system 5 installed on the upper end 21 of the structure 2 or on the support element 4 configured to allow a user to control said braking and locking means 31. Drawing: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: braking and stabilization device

[0001] The technical field concerns that of devices allowing braking and stabilization during the movement of a person.

[0002] The field of this invention can be applied more particularly to the field of users using roller skates on their feet or the like to move around, whether they are in-line roller skates or in-line roller skate-skis.

[0003] The field of this invention can also be applied to people who have difficulty maintaining their balance when moving, such as the elderly.

[0004] Conventional roller skates, whether quad or inline wheel type, have been widely available for many decades.

[0005] While braking is not a problem at low speeds, at high speeds a roller skater may have difficulty braking or stopping quickly without losing their balance. This results in an unacceptably high number of broken wrists and other injuries.

[0006] Various approaches have been adopted to brake inline roller skates. The most common approach, and the one currently used on most inline skates, is to provide an elastomer block forming a braking element at the rear of a shoe of the skate. When a user wishes to brake, the user is supposed to move the braking foot forward and tilt it backward to press the elastomer block against the ground, in order to slow the skater.

[0007] This position is unstable and requires good balance from the skater.

[0008] In an emergency, when one or both skates encounter an obstacle (such as sand, gravel or grass on the road or even a very rough surface) and the wheels stop rotating, the user's center of gravity shifts to the front of the skates. It becomes impossible to adopt the normal braking position, and a fall becomes highly likely.

[0009] Other solutions have been imagined, for example solutions for locking the wheels of the skates.

[0010] An obvious disadvantage with this solution is that if the wheels are braked, the skates may stop but the body of the person using them will continue to move forward, lifting the wheels off the ground and canceling the braking action. The person will then probably fall.

[0011] To remedy this, document US5163710 teaches a stabilizing and braking stick that can be used either as a training aid, or as a means of propulsion, or to ensure speed control or as a means of braking. for a person on inline roller skates.

[0012] This stick comprises a rigid pole having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end having a grip handle, in particular of the ski or bicycle pole handle type, the lower end comprising a rubber block type adapter.

[0013] It is described that such a pole can be used by a skater to propel the skate forward in the same way that ski poles are used

[0014] When the skater wishes to slow down or stop, with a stick in each hand, he grasps the sticks at their upper ends and tilts them back and down allowing the adapter to drag along the ground. Depending on the pressure the user exerts on the adapter, he can either slow down or stop.

[0015] With this type of stick described, novice skaters receive support to launch their first hesitant steps. While skating, their sense of balance is strengthened. The sticks help to restore their center of gravity whenever balance could be lost.

[0016] This stick provides stability in difficult circumstances such as going up and down slopes or at high speeds.

[0017] A disadvantage of this solution is that if the skates encounter an unexpected obstacle and stop suddenly (which unfortunately is all too common), the skater will not have time to lean back into a sitting position and apply the brake.

[0018] In the case of people who have difficulty maintaining their balance, a similar situation can be observed.

[0019] If an obstacle causes a person to stumble, or if the person is on a sloping path, they risk falling forward. Using a cane in one hand helps to maintain stability while it is resting on the ground, but not when it is lifted to be placed further away and moved forward.

[0020] It is therefore an objective of the invention to propose a braking and stabilization device which makes it possible to avoid falls and to stop quickly.

[0021] Another objective of the invention is to propose a versatile device, capable of adapting to various usage situations, and easy to handle.

[0022] Another objective of the invention is to provide a robust device, reassuring for a user, light, economical and compact, allowing easy and discreet storage.

[0023] To this end, the invention relates to a device for braking and stabilizing a user equipped with such a device, comprising a stick-type structure having at a lower end at least one braking and stabilizing member configured to bear against the ground, said structure comprising at one end su a support element configured so that at least one upper limb of said user rests on said element,

[0024] The invention has a characteristic part in that said braking and stabilizing member comprises at least one wheel capable of rolling while resting against the ground having means for braking and locking in rotation of the at least one wheel, and in that the device comprises a control system installed on the upper end of the structure or on the support element, configured to allow a user to control said braking and locking means.

[0025] This device can equip a user. It can be continuously supported on the ground in front of the user or to the side in front while the user moves using his or her wheel(s).

[0026] In the case of normal movement, the wheel(s) are free to rotate, which does not hinder the user's movement.

[0027] When the user feels that he has an imbalance forward or that he is falling forward, he can activate the braking and the rotational locking of the wheel(s).

[0028] If the user controls the braking of the wheel(s) placed in front of him, this allows him to brake, reduce his speed and regain his balance.

[0029] If the user blocks the rotation of the wheel(s), the user can then lean on the device to be more stable and stop his fall more easily, because the device forms a third support point against the ground in front of the user.

[0030] This device can be used advantageously by a person who is roller skating wheels, but also by a person with balance problems, such as an elderly person.

[0031] This device allows a user equipped with this device to move while avoiding to fall in the event of a fall or forward imbalance.

[0032] According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the control system comprises a handle or lever which can be actuated by the user from a so-called rest position to a so-called support position, the control system having means for returning the handle or lever to the rest position, said handle lever being positioned at the upper end of the device or support element.

[0033] According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the passage of the handle or lever from the rest position to the support position causes the braking and the locking in rotation of the wheel(s).

[0034] Thus, a user can control the braking and rotational locking of the wheel(s) by pressing the handle or lever of the control system.

[0035] In the event of a fall or forward imbalance, a user can thus squeeze their hand to activate the braking and rotational locking of the wheel(s), allowing them to regain balance or avoid falling by leaning on the device forming a third point of support with the ground.

[0036] According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the passage of the handle or lever from the support position to the rest position causes the braking and the locking in rotation of the wheel(s).

[0037] Thus, a user can control the braking and rotational locking of the wheel(s) by releasing the control system lever or handle.

[0038] In the event of a fall or forward imbalance, a user can thus release the handle or lever to activate the braking and rotational locking of the wheel(s), allowing them to regain their balance or avoid falling by leaning on the device forming a third support point with the ground.

[0039] According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the control system has means for switching from a first configuration in which the switching of the handle or lever from the rest position to the support position causes the braking and the locking in rotation of the wheel or wheels to a second configuration in which the switching of the handle or lever from the support position to the rest position causes the braking and the locking in rotation of the wheel or wheels.

[0040] Thus, depending on the user or the situation, it is possible to choose the most suitable operating configuration of the device.

[0041] For example, it is possible to choose the first configuration on flat, relatively uneven terrain. In this situation, the risk of imbalance is low, and having a freewheel is preferred. It is also possible to choose the second configuration on a descent, because in this situation it is preferable for the wheel at the front of the body to be braked or blocked most of the time for safety.

[0042] According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the device comprises a cable capable of transmitting an action of the handle or lever to the braking and rotational locking means of the wheel(s), said cable having an upper end engaged laterally in a housing of a pivoting part of the control system.

[0043] According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the pivoting part comprises a first housing in which the upper end of the cable is engaged laterally when the control system is in the first configuration, and a second housing in which the upper end of the cable is engaged laterally when the control system is in the second configuration.

[0044] According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the support element comprises at least one support handle extending projecting relative to the structure and a forearm support capable of receiving a forearm of the user.

[0045] This makes it easier for the user to handle and maintain the device.

[0046] According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the structure of the device is formed from a reversible assembly of bars and / or tubes configured to fit into each other.

[0047] This allows the device to be easily dismantled into parts that can be transported more easily, in a backpack for example.

[0048] According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the structure of the device is telescopic.

[0049] This allows the length of the device to be adjusted to the user's morphology.

[0050] Other aims and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows with reference to the attached drawings illustrating an exemplary embodiment and in which:

[0051] [Fig-1] is a schematic side view of a device according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0052] [Fig.2] is a detailed schematic view of the device of [Fig.l], showing partially a system for controlling the braking and rotational locking means of one or more wheels of the device, said control system being in a first configuration, in a rest position in which the wheel(s) are free to rotate.

[0053] [Fig.3] is a detailed schematic view of the device of [Fig.l], showing partially a system for controlling the braking and rotational locking means of one or more wheels of the device, said control system being in a second configuration, in a rest position in which the wheel(s) are braked or locked in rotation.

[0054] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective view of a user equipped with a device according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0055] The invention relates to a braking and stabilization device 1 intended to equip a user to enable him to brake or stabilize.

[0056] This braking and stabilization device 1 is hereinafter referred to as “device”.

[0057] This device 1 comprises a structure 2 of the stick type, solid or hollow.

[0058] This structure 2 comprises a lower end 20 and an upper end 21.

[0059] The device 1 is considered in its position of use, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4. With reference to [Fig.l] and [Fig.4], the bottom of the device 1, in particular the lower end 20 of the structure 2 is at the bottom of the figures, and the top of the device 1, in particular the upper end 21 of the structure 2 is at the top of the figures.

[0060] A braking and stabilizing member 3 is located at the lower end 20 of the structure 2, it is configured to come into contact with the ground, bearing against the ground.

[0061] A support element 4 is located at the upper end 21 of the structure 2.

[0062] This support element 4 is configured so that a user equipped with the device 1 comes to rest on the support element 4 with at least one of its upper limbs, more particularly here a forearm and hand assembly, as illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0063] The support element 4 may comprise at least one support handle 40 extending in projection relative to the structure 2, substantially perpendicularly, as well as a support for at least one curved forearm 41 capable of receiving at least one forearm of the user, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4.

[0064] The braking and stabilizing member 3 may be in the form of a wheel 30 pivoting around a shaft attached to the ends of a fork, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, said wheel being able to roll against the ground when the device is in use. This wheel 30 has means 31 for braking and locking the rotation of said wheel 30.

[0065] The braking and locking means 31 for rotation of the wheel 30 may comprise a brake 310, for example a drum brake, comprising jaws in the shape of an arc of a circle which can rub against the internal walls of the wheel 30 forming a drum, actuated by a mechanical or hydraulic control.

[0066] Of course, the device 1 may comprise several wheels 30 and associated braking and locking means 31 at the lower end 20 of the structure 2.

[0067] The braking and locking means 31 for rotation of the wheel 30 can be controlled by a control system 5 of the device 1.

[0068] This control system 5 can be installed on the upper end 20 of the structure 2 of the device 1 or on the support element 4, in particular the support handle 40.

[0069] In fact, the control system 5 allows a user equipped with the device 1 to actuate said control system 5 to control the actuation of the braking and locking means 31 in rotation of the wheel 30.

[0070] The control system 5 may comprise a joystick 6 which designates a joystick or a similar lever or actuator allowing the same functions.

[0071] This lever 6 can extend substantially perpendicularly from the structure 2 or from the support handle 40 by forming a U or a V with the support handle 40, close to the support handle 40, so as to allow a user to be able to operate the lever 6 with the hand in contact with the support handle 40.

[0072] The lever 6 can pivot about a pivot axis AA' between a so-called rest position, in which the lever 6 is distant from the support handle 40, and a so-called support position in which the lever is brought closer to the support handle 40.

[0073] This pivot axis AA' is carried by a pivot shaft 50.

[0074] The control system may include stops blocking the movement of the lever 6 between the rest position and the support position, and means for elastically returning the lever to the rest position, for example in the form of a compression spring not shown here.

[0075] Thus, when a user operates the lever 6 by squeezing the support handle and the lever 6 with his hand, he can move the lever 6 from the rest position to the support position. When the user loosens his grip, the lever 6 returns by the elastic return effect of the spring to the rest position.

[0076] Figures 1 to 3 show a device 1 with a lever 40 in the rest position.

[0077] Actuation of the lever 6 makes it possible to control the operation of the braking and locking means 31 in rotation of the wheel 30.

[0078] In fact, a cable 7 of the device 1 is connected on the one hand to the control system 5 by an upper end 70, and on the other hand connected to the braking and blocking means 31 by its lower end 71.

[0079] The cable 7 can slide in a sheath passing outside the structure 2 as illustrated in figures 1 to 3, or inside the structure 2 as illustrated in [Fig.4], the structure 2 being hollow.

[0080] A tension of the cable 7 at the level of the control system 5 is transmitted to the braking and locking means 31, which ensures braking then locking in rotation of the wheel 30.

[0081] In fact, the upper end 70 of the cable 7 may comprise a tip or an added rivet 700. The tip of the upper end 70 of the cable 7 may engage laterally in at least one housing 80, 81 of a pivoting part 8 of the control system 5.

[0082] This pivoting part 8 may be in the form of a pulley with a peripheral groove and mounted to pivot integrally with the handle 6 around the pivot axis AA' and the pivot shaft 50.

[0083] The at least one housing 80, 81 may open laterally onto a flat face of the pulley and may have a slot opening onto the periphery of the pivoting part 8 to allow passage of the cable 7, but to hold the end piece in the housing 80, 81, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

[0084] The cable 7 can pass between two fingers 51 in the body of the support handle 40 and passes at least partially in the peripheral groove of the pivoting part 8.

[0085] The pivoting part 8 may comprise a first housing 80 located in the upper part of the pivoting part 8, and a second housing 81 located in a lower part of the pivoting part 8, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

[0086] The upper end 70 of the cable 7 can be housed in the first housing 80.

[0087] In this first configuration, the passage of the lever 6 from the rest position to the support position can tension the cable, which brakes then blocks the wheel 30, as illustrated in [Fig.2], the wheel 30 being blocked when the lever is in the support position.

[0088] The upper end 70 of the cable 7 can be housed in the second housing 81.

[0089] In this second configuration, the passage of the lever 6 from the rest position in the support position can relax the cable which stops the blocking and braking of the wheel 30, as illustrated in [Fig.3], the wheel 30 being blocked when the lever 6 is in the rest position.

[0090] The device 1 may comprise means for transitioning from the first configuration to the second configuration, for example in the form of a hollow handle 40 with a detachable side cover configured to allow a user to access the pivoting part and to dislodge the end piece 700 from the upper end 70 of the cable from the first housing 80 to insert it laterally into the second housing 81, or vice versa, and to replace the cable 7 in a corresponding part of the peripheral groove of the pivoting part 8.

[0091] It is thus easy to modify the device 1 to move from the first configuration to the second configuration and vice versa.

[0092] The upper end 70 of the cable 7 may not have a tip 700 but be bent into a U and held in a housing with inclined walls which pinches the U-shaped end of the cable 7.

[0093] These examples of holding the upper end 70 of the cable 7 in a housing 80, 81 are not limiting.

[0094] To facilitate the storage and transport of the device 1, the device 1 can be dismantled into several parts.

[0095] Thus the structure 2 can be fitted reversibly into the braking and stabilizing member 3 and into the support element 4, or vice versa so as to allow them to be separated.

[0096] The structure 2 can also be formed from a reversible assembly of bars and / or tubes configured to fit into each other.

[0097] The structure 2 can alternatively or additionally be telescopic.

[0098] The sheathed cable can advantageously make it possible to keep the parts of the device 1 close to each other so as not to lose or misplace a part of the device 1.

[0099] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention not illustrated here, the control system 5 of the braking and locking means 31 in rotation of the wheel 30 comprises, in place of the lever 6, a switch in the form, for example, of an electric or electronic button controlling the braking and locking of the wheel 30.

[0100] This button can control the braking and locking means 31 in rotation of the wheel 30 or by acting on the rotation of the pivoting part 8.

[0101] This button can alternatively control the braking and locking means 31 in rotation of the wheel 30 in the form of an electrically controlled brake on the wheel 30.

[0102] A greater or lesser pressure on the button can thus cause the braking and blocking of the braking and blocking means 31. Continuous pressure on the button can also prevent the braking and blocking means 31 from exerting braking and blocking on the wheel 30.

[0103] This makes it possible to reduce the effort required by the user's hand to press or keep pressed the control of the braking and locking means 31.

[0104] The control system 5 may also include a second switch connected to an electronic card making it possible to reverse the action of said button to form the means for switching from a first configuration to a second configuration.

[0105] The cable 7 can be replaced by a wired control transmission or by a wireless transmission connecting the control system 5 and the braking and locking means 31 in rotation of the wheel 30.

[0106] The electrical and / or electronic components of the device 1 can be supplied with electricity by electrical supply means, for example in the form of batteries or electrical accumulators attached to or integrated into the structure 2.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (1) for braking and stabilizing a user equipped with such a device (1), comprising a stick-type structure (2) having at a lower end (20) at least one braking and stabilizing member (3) configured to come to bear against the ground, said structure (2) comprising at an upper end (21) a support element (4) configured so that at least one upper limb of said user comes to bear on said element, characterized in that said braking and stabilizing member (3) comprises at least one wheel (30) capable of rolling while bearing against the ground having means (31) for braking and blocking the rotation of said at least one wheel (30), and in that the device (1) comprises a control system (5) installed on the upper end (21) of the structure (2) or on the support element (4) configured to allow a user to control said braking and blocking means (31).

2. Braking and stabilizing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control system (5) comprises a lever (6) which can be actuated by the user from a so-called rest position to a so-called support position, the control system (5) having means for returning the lever (6) to the rest position, said lever (6) being positioned at the upper end (21) of the device (1) or of the support element (4).

3. Braking and stabilizing device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the passage of the lever (6) from the rest position to the support position causes the braking and the rotational locking of the wheel(s) (30).

4. Braking and stabilizing device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the passage of the lever (6) from the support position to the rest position causes the braking and the rotational locking of the wheel(s) (30).

5. Braking and stabilization device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the control system (5) has means for changing from a first configuration in which the change of the lever (6) from the rest position to the support position causes the braking and the locking in rotation of the wheel(s) (30) to a second configuration in which the change of the lever (6) from the support position to the rest position causes the braking and the locking in rotation of the wheel(s) (30). rotation of the wheel(s) (30).

6. Braking and stabilizing device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a cable (7) capable of transmitting an action of the lever (6) to the braking and locking means (31) in rotation of the wheel(s) (30), said cable (7) having an upper end (70) engaged laterally in a housing (80, 81) of a pivoting part (8) of the control system (5).

7. Braking and stabilizing device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the pivoting part (8) comprises a first housing (80) in which the upper end (70) of the cable (7) is engaged laterally when the control system (5) is in the first configuration, and a second housing (81) in which the upper end (70) of the cable (7) is engaged laterally when the control system (5) is in the second configuration.

8. Braking and stabilizing device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the support element (4) comprises at least one support handle (40) extending projecting relative to the structure (2) and a forearm support (41) capable of receiving a forearm of the user.

9. Braking and stabilization device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the structure (2) of the device (1) is formed from a reversible assembly of bars and / or tubes configured to fit into each other.

10. Braking and stabilizing device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the structure (2) of the device (1) is telescopic.

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