Cane and waist pouch set with retention feature

Abstract

To provide a set of a walking stick and a waist pouch having a holding function capable of temporarily holding the white walking stick in a floating state at the waist belt side belly part of the waist pouch both at the time of standing and at the time of sitting at the time of using the white walking stick.SOLUTION: A set of a walking stick and a waist pouch having a holding function, characterized in that a first connector is provided on the surface of the center of gravity of the walking stick, and a second connector paired with the first connector is provided on the side part of a waist belt connected to the body of the waist pouch and located on the front side of the waist pouch.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cane holder having a connector for connecting a cane and a waist pouch. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, visually impaired people have always operated white canes with one hand, and when using both hands, they either tuck the cane under their armpit or put the strap connected to the cane around their wrist, leaving the cane hanging while they move both hands, which limits the movement of their arms. Using a cane with your hand while tucked under your armpit requires multiple layers of tension, as you must be careful not to drop the cane, feel the shape of objects with your sense of touch, and simultaneously understand the surrounding situation with your ears. Placing the cane on the floor or leaning it against a wall allows you to move both hands freely, but for visually impaired people, moving a cane away from their body is a dangerous act that can lead to accidents and injuries.

[0003] When visually impaired people are seated, they generally use a folding white cane, or if they use a straight cane, place it parallel or perpendicular to the desk or chair. When accompanied by a caregiver, they may ask the caregiver to place it somewhere out of the way or place it in an umbrella stand. However, when alone, they may not be able to grasp the situation and may not know the appropriate place to put it, so they end up asking for help from those around them. In the past, a visually impaired person attending an Aichi Prefectural Assembly session was forced to hand over his cane to an attendant, who claimed it was a weapon and dangerous object, resulting in unfair treatment. (Article published in the Chunichi Shimbun on February 20, 2015) As this example shows, a white cane is a part of the body for visually impaired people, and it is recommended that they keep it within easy reach, even when seated.

[0004] When visually impaired people use restrooms while out and about, they often have trouble finding a place to put their white cane, whether it's a urinal or a private room. First, they have to use their cane to check the shape of the toilet, then use their hands to find a place to put their cane, such as a luggage rack or door hook. They have to lean it against the corner next to the door or place it on the floor, and if there is no place to put it, they have to use the restroom while holding the cane in their hand, which is a constant struggle. Even if they have a caregiver, they can only use the restroom if the caregiver is of the same gender, so they sometimes have to endure the hassle.

[0005] Various holders for umbrellas, walking sticks, and other long canes have been proposed to prevent them from falling over, as well as bags for securing canes (see the prior art documents listed below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6259965 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-170988 [Patent Document 3] Utility Model Registration No. 3234834 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-29150 [Patent Document 5] Utility Model Registration No. 3225534 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The cane support device described in Patent Document 1 is attached by inserting it into the waist area of ​​trousers, a skirt, a belt, etc., and cannot be used when wearing a dress or coat, which places restrictions on clothing.

[0008] The cane support device described in Patent Document 2 is a support device designed to be held upright. When held to the body, it is attached to the waist of trousers or pants, a belt, or the pocket of a bag or backpack using a clip, but it cannot be used with certain clothing, resulting in clothing restrictions. If the clip is attached to clothing that does not have a catch, the weight of the cane may cause the clip to come off and the cane to fall. This differs from the present invention, which features a floating cane that is held in close contact with the body. Another difference is that the magnet is installed through the handle of the cane, whereas the present invention is installed on the surface of the center of gravity of the cane.

[0009] The auxiliary device for a cane described in Patent Document 3 is a holder designed to be held upright, which differs from the present invention in that it holds the cane in a floating position while being in close contact with the body.

[0010] The bags described in Patent Documents 4 and 5 are used by passing a cane through a hole in the bag to walk, while the bag of the present invention has a different feature in that it has connectors on both the bag and the cane, and the cane is held in place by connecting them.

[0011] Conventionally, the use of a white cane has had the following drawbacks: (b) When out and about, it can be difficult to find a place to put your white cane. You can lean it against a wall or place it on the floor, but for a visually impaired person, a white cane is a part of their body, and leaving it away from their body is dangerous. If there are other visually impaired people nearby, they may mistake their white cane for another or trip over a cane placed on the floor, so they need to be especially careful when there is no caregiver present. The same applies to canes used by elderly people or people with disabilities, regardless of whether they are white canes or not. (b) When using a white cane with both hands, the cane is either tucked under the arm or held in the arm using a strap, but this limits arm movement. There is also the risk of the cane or the object being held dropping, so the person is constantly on edge to avoid dropping it. (c) If the cane comes into contact with a bicycle or train door and gets caught while in use, a safety strap that can be detached from the cane is recommended to prevent the cane from being pulled away along with the person's body. Holders that secure the cane in place can be pulled along with the cane in the event of an impact, which could result in serious injury. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] This set of a cane and a waist pouch with a holding function is characterized in that a first connecting member is provided on the surface of the center of gravity of the cane, a second connecting member that pairs with the first connecting member is provided on the side of the waist belt at the front side of the waist pouch, which is connected to the main body of the waist pouch, and a user of the cane wears the waist pouch and connects the first connecting member of the cane to the second connecting member of the waist pouch, so that the connected cane can be held above the ground on the side of the waist pouch wearer.

[0013] A set of a walking stick and a waist pouch with a holding function, characterized in that a first connecting device is provided on the surface of the center of gravity of the walking stick, and a second connecting device that pairs with the first connecting device is provided on the side of the waist belt next to the front of the waist pouch, which is connected to the main body of the waist pouch; a user of the walking stick puts on the waist pouch and connects the first connecting device of the walking stick to the second connecting device of the waist pouch, so that the connected walking stick can be held on the side of the user's waist pouch in a state where it is floating above the ground, and the first connecting device can rotate around the second connecting device while connected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The set of cane and waist pouch with holding function of the present invention can hold the white cane in close contact with the side of the wearer of the waist pouch by connecting the first connector of the white cane with the second connector of the waist pouch when standing or sitting while using the white cane. When holding a white cane while standing, stand still and point the tip of the cane slightly behind you, then connect the first connector on the cane to the second connector on the waist pouch. A diagonal belt is sewn to the base of the second connector on the waist pouch, allowing you to feel the belt's shape. By aligning the shaft of the white cane with this diagonal belt, you can always hold it at the same diagonal angle. By fixing the cane at an angle, the grip of the cane is closer to the front of your body, allowing for easier arm movement and easier attachment and detachment. Also, by slanting a long cane like a white cane, it can fit into a space large enough for one person, preventing accidents with passersby. At this point, the cane is floating above the floor, eliminating unnecessary force from the floor. Since the connection is located above the center of gravity of the cane, it can be held in a stable balance. When holding a white cane while seated, sit in a chair with the cane in your hand, point the tip toward your feet, and connect the first connector of the cane to the second connector on your waist pouch so that the shaft is under your upper arm. This will vary depending on the type of chair you are sitting in and the length of the cane, but the cane should fit in roughly the space of one seated person. Holding the cane close to your body gives you a sense of security and allows you to sit without worrying about where to put it. If contact or a collision occurs with the outside world while using this invention, the connection between the first connector of the white cane and the second connector of the waist pouch will come loose due to the impact, and the white cane will be separated from the body, preventing entanglement accidents. Wearing a waist pouch is the same as wearing a regular waist pouch, but the waist belt is adjustable in size, making it suitable for everyone.Since the waist pouch is worn over clothing, there are no clothing restrictions and you can enjoy fashion freely. With this invention, even if you need to use your hands while using a white cane, you can temporarily hold the cane close to your body, allowing you to use your hands with peace of mind. When sitting down, you no longer need to search for a place to put the cane; you can hold the cane close to your body while sitting in your chair. In the bathroom, whether using a urinal or a stall, you can relieve yourself by holding the cane close to your body, allowing you to take a breather. This invention can be applied not only to white canes for the visually impaired, but also to canes for the elderly and disabled. It can also be applied to long canes used in sports, such as trekking poles and walking poles, making it suitable for a wide range of uses. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a diagram of how it is used when standing. [Figure 2] This is a diagram of how to use the device when seated. [Figure 3] 1 is a front view and an enlarged view of a white cane equipped with a first connecting device (a protruding magnetic hook 5). [Figure 4] 1 is a side view and an enlarged view of a white cane equipped with a first connecting device (a protruding magnetic hook 5). [Figure 5] This is a rear view and an enlarged view of a white cane equipped with a first connecting device (protruding magnetic hook 5). [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view of a waist pouch provided with a second connector (recessed magnetic hook 10). [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the first connector (protruding magnetic hook 5) and the second connector (recessed magnetic hook 10) from above before they are attached to each other. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view of the first connector (protruding magnetic hook 5) and the second connector (recessed magnetic hook 10) being attached to each other. [Figure 9] This is a bottom front view of the folding white cane when stored. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows the device in use in a standing position. When holding a white cane while standing, the first connector (convex magnetic hook 5) on the white cane and the second connector (concave magnetic hook 10) on the waist pouch are attached together. *Hereinafter, the first connector (convex magnetic hook 5) will be referred to as convex magnetic hook 5, and the second connector (concave magnetic hook 10) will be referred to as convex magnetic hook 10. Point the tip 3 of the white cane slightly behind you. Holding the cane at an angle places the grip 1 in front of the body, allowing for easier arm movement. By holding a long cane like a white cane at an angle, it can fit into the space of one person and prevent accidents with passersby. The connected convex magnetic hook 5 and concave magnetic hook 10 are attached and interlocked at the surface of the center of gravity of the white cane and secured to the waist belt side 9 of the waist pouch. At this point, the cane is floating above the floor, allowing it to be held in a stable balance without any unnecessary force from the floor. In the event of light contact or slight body movement, the convex and concave magnetic hooks 5 and 10 rotate while engaged, making it difficult for the cane to fall. In the event of heavy external contact, the magnetic hooks 5 and 10 will separate due to the impact, causing the cane to separate from the body, preventing accidents such as being caught in the cane.

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows the device in use when seated. To hold a white cane while seated, sit on chair 21 with the cane in hand, hold it under your upper arm, point the tip 3 at your feet, and attach the convex magnetic hook 5 on the cane to the concave magnetic hook 10 on the waist pouch, securing the cane to the side 9 of the waist pouch's waist belt. While the situation will vary depending on the type of chair and the length of the cane, by placing the cane shaft 2 on the seat or extending it outside the seat, the cane will fit roughly in the space of one seated person. The interlocking convex magnetic hook 5 and concave magnetic hook 10 can be rotated while still attached, allowing you to adjust the angle of the cane while sitting in the chair. This angle can be adjusted to accommodate a variety of chair shapes. Holding the cane close to your body provides a sense of security and allows you to sit without worrying about where to place it.

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 3 shows a front view and an enlarged view of a white cane with a magnetic hook 5 and a magnetic hook pedestal 6 attached to the center of gravity of the cane. The white cane is a typical straight cane with a grip 1, shaft 2, ferrule 3, and strap 4. The recommended length of the cane is approximately 45 cm below the user's height, so that when the ferrule is resting on the ground, the top of grip 1 is above the user's solar plexus, with the center of gravity of the cane being approximately one-third of the height. Because a change in the center of gravity can make the cane unstable, the magnetic hook pedestal 6 is fixed to the straight cane. If the length of the white cane changes due to growth, or if the center of gravity of a folding cane changes due to the telescoping function, the magnetic hook pedestal 6 can be moved lengthwise using an accessory and positioned at the new center of gravity.

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 4 is a side view and an enlarged view of the white cane in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a rear view and an enlarged view of the white cane in Figure 3. A protrusion 7 is provided directly behind the magnetic hook 5 to help visually impaired people understand the target for placement by touch.

[0020] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a front view of a waist pouch equipped with a magnetic hook recess 10. The waist pouch body 8, which has an open pocket on the front and a handle on the top, incorporates various features to facilitate use by visually impaired individuals. The waist pouch's waist belt sides are symmetrically shaped like airplane wings (clipped delta wings), with the long sides firmly supporting the sides of the waist pouch body and the short sides bell-width. The lining is lined with mesh fabric to prevent heat buildup. A magnetic hook recess base belt 11 is sewn diagonally to the center of the waist pouch's waist belt sides 9, and a magnetic hook recess base belt upper handle 12 is located at the top, allowing for tactile identification of the belt's position. A magnetic hook recess 10 is provided in the center of the magnetic hook recess base belt 11, and when the magnetic hook protrusion 5 of a white cane is attached, the diagonal line serves as a guide for placement. Like a typical waist pouch, the waist pouch's waist belt 13 is equipped with a waist belt fastener 15 and a belt adjustment ring 14 to allow for waist size adjustment. Wearing it over your clothes allows you to enjoy fashion without being restricted by the clothing you're wearing, making it suitable for everyone. The waist belt fastener 15 features a magnetic buckle that connects simply by bringing it close, making it easy for the visually impaired to use. To attract attention when walking at night, the pouch features a luminous zipper 16, a reflective tab 17 on the zipper tab, and a reflective handle 18 at the top of the front pocket. The reflective material is clearly visible, making it easy for people with low vision to see and find the waist pouch at home. The hanging hook 19 can be used to hang lightweight items such as convenience store bags, or to attach a smartphone or commuter pass strap that is inserted and removed from the front open pocket. The mesh pocket 20 with a hook on the top can be used to hang a key chain, making it convenient for storing keys or small trash. The back of the waist pouch body 8 is made of mesh fabric, preventing heat buildup even during extended use.

[0021] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a bird's-eye view of a magnetic hook convex portion 5 and a magnetic hook concave portion 10 before attachment. A magnetic hook consists of a ring-shaped male hook with a convex portion formed on its surface and a ring-shaped female hook with an internal magnet and a concave portion formed on its surface into which the convex portion of the male hook fits. The male and female hooks are attached and detached by magnetic force, and are well known as fasteners used to open and close bags, etc. While a typical magnetic hook with a single-sided magnet can be used, this invention uses a magnetic hook with south and north pole magnets on the convex and concave portions, taking into consideration use by visually impaired people. When the convex and concave portions are brought close together, the magnets attract each other, automatically adhering, and allowing for strong engagement. In addition to magnetic hooks, fasteners that are easy to attach and detach, such as textured fasteners, snap buttons, surface tape, and flat magnets, can also be used.

[0022] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a side view of the magnetic hook convex 5 and magnetic hook concave 10. The magnetic hook convex 5 and magnetic hook concave 10 are attracted to each other by a strong magnet and are fitted together by a ring-shaped concave / convex joint, allowing them to rotate while being attracted to each other. This allows the cane to rotate around the concave / convex joint when a small amount of force is applied to the shaft 2, preventing it from coming off and falling. Therefore, some force is required to separate the cane, but those with less strength can easily separate the cane by pulling the magnetic hook concave base belt upper handle 12 toward their body and holding it down, then wrapping their hand around the magnetic hook convex base 6 and pulling it apart.

[0023] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a bottom front view of a folding white cane stored. A slider buckle 23 and a waist pouch bottom belt 24 are provided on the bottom surface 22 of the waist pouch. By placing a folding white cane 25 in the loop of the waist pouch bottom belt 24 and pulling the belt, the folding white cane is secured and can be stored. To remove the cane, lift the slider buckle 23 and loosen the waist pouch bottom belt 24, which opens the loop of the waist pouch bottom belt 24 for easy removal. In addition to being useful when you cannot hold the cane next to your waist while seated or as a spare white cane, it can also store a folding umbrella. [Industrial Applicability]

[0024] This invention makes it easier for visually impaired people to go out and lead independent social lives. In particular, in the bathroom, they are forced to rely on their sense of touch to locate their white cane, despite the unsanitary conditions, which causes great inconvenience. The fact that toilet attendants must be of the same gender also makes it difficult for visually impaired people to go out. This invention solves these problems by allowing the user to temporarily hold the white cane close to the body both when standing and sitting, thereby supporting the daily lives of visually impaired people. It can be applied not only to white canes for the visually impaired, but also to canes for the elderly and disabled. It can also be applied to long canes used in sports, such as trekking poles and walking poles, making it suitable for a wide range of uses. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 1 Grip 2 shafts 3 stone tip 4 Straps 5 First connector (magnetic hook) 6 Magnetic hook convex base 7. Marker protrusions 8 Waist pouch body 9 Waist pouch waist belt side 10 Second connector (magnetic hook recess) 11 Magnetic hook recessed base belt 12 Magnetic hook recessed base belt upper handle 13 Waist pouch belt 14 Belt adjustment ring 15 Waist belt fastener 16 Luminous zipper 17 Reflective tabs 18 Reflective handle 19 Hanging hook 20 Mesh pocket with hook on top 21 Chair 22 Bottom of waist pouch 23 Slider Buckle 24 Waist pouch bottom belt 25 Folding white cane

Claims

1. This set of a cane and a waist pouch with a holding function is characterized in that a first connecting member is provided on the surface of the center of gravity of the cane, a second connecting member that pairs with the first connecting member is provided on the side of the waist belt at the front side of the waist pouch, which is connected to the main body of the waist pouch, and a user of the cane wears the waist pouch and connects the first connecting member of the cane to the second connecting member of the waist pouch, so that the connected cane can be held above the ground on the side of the waist pouch wearer.

2. A set of a walking stick and a waist pouch with a holding function, characterized in that a first connecting device is provided on the surface of the center of gravity of the walking stick, and a second connecting device that pairs with the first connecting device is provided on the side of the waist belt next to the front of the waist pouch, which is connected to the main body of the waist pouch; a user of the walking stick puts on the waist pouch and connects the first connecting device of the walking stick to the second connecting device of the waist pouch, so that the connected walking stick can be held on the side of the user's waist pouch in a state where it is floating above the ground, and the first connecting device can rotate around the second connecting device while connected.

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