walking stick
The cane's innovative slide and rotation lock mechanisms improve the telescopic and foldable design, addressing inefficiencies in existing canes by simplifying extension and retraction for enhanced user convenience.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHUO SPRING CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing canes with telescopic designs have limitations in extending and folding mechanisms, leading to inefficiencies in use and storage.
A cane composed of three pipes with a slide lock mechanism to control vertical displacement and a rotation lock mechanism to allow folding, featuring a hinge connection between the second and third pipes for enhanced flexibility and ease of use.
The cane provides a telescopic and foldable design that simplifies extension and retraction, enhancing user convenience and ease of storage.
Smart Images
Figure 0003255963000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0004] , ,
[0005] , ,
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cane composed of at least three pipes from a grip part to a tip.
Background Art
[0002] A general cane with a variable length from a grip part to a tip has, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a first pipe and a second pipe, and is configured in a telescopic shape in which the second pipe is inserted into the first pipe so as to be able to protrude and retract.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] When applying a cane composed of at least three pipes from a grip part to a tip to the cane described in Patent Document 1, it has a first pipe, a second pipe, and a third pipe, and the second pipe is inserted into the first pipe so as to be able to protrude and retract, and the third pipe is inserted into the second pipe so as to be able to protrude and retract, resulting in a telescopic shape. The present disclosure discloses an example of a novel cane different from the prior art.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] The walking stick, which consists of three pipes from the grip section (2) to the tip (3), comprises a first pipe (4) on which the grip section (2) is provided, a second pipe (5) into which the first pipe (4) is retractably inserted, a third pipe (6) connected to the second pipe (5) via a hinge section (8) provided on the lower end of the second pipe (5), the third pipe (6) having a tip (3) at its lower end, a slide lock mechanism (9) that restricts the first pipe (4) from moving in and out relative to the second pipe (5), and a rotation lock mechanism (10) that restricts the third pipe (6) from rotating relative to the second pipe (5).
[0006] As a result, in this cane, the first pipe (4) and the second pipe (5) are configured to be telescopically extendable, while the third pipe (6) and the second pipe (5) are configured to be foldable.
[0007] Incidentally, the symbols in each of the parentheses above are just examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations etc. described in the embodiments described later, and this disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations etc. indicated by the symbols in the parentheses above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows the cane in its extended state according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the upper part of the device, above the hinge, in a retracted state. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the slide lock mechanism. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the rotation locking mechanism. [Figure 5] This figure shows the cane according to the first embodiment in a folded state. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the slide lock mechanism. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing the grip area. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing the rotation locking mechanism. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the state in which the rotating lock pin is in contact with the lubrication section. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] The following "Embodiments of the Invention" are examples of embodiments that fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. In other words, the invention-specific features described in the claims for utility model registration are not limited to the specific configurations and structures shown in the embodiments below.
[0010] The arrows and diagonal lines indicating direction in each figure are included to facilitate understanding of the relationships between the figures and the shapes of each component or part. Therefore, the inventions shown in this disclosure are not limited to the directions indicated in each figure. Diagonal lines do not always indicate a cross-sectional view.
[0011] At least one of the components or parts described with reference numerals is provided unless otherwise specified, such as "one." In other words, if there is no such specification, such as "one," there may be two or more such components. The cane shown in this disclosure comprises at least one of the components, such as the components or parts described with reference numerals, and at least one of the illustrated structural parts.
[0012] (First Embodiment) <1. Overview of walking sticks (trekking poles)> This embodiment applies an example of a walking stick according to the present disclosure to a trekking pole. As shown in Figure 1, the walking stick 1 comprises at least three metal pipes 4-6 from the grip portion 2 to the tip 3, as well as a slide lock mechanism 9 (see Figure 3) and a rotation lock mechanism 10 (see Figure 4), etc.
[0013] The first pipe 4 is a pipe material to which the grip portion 2 is provided. The second pipe 5 is a pipe material that is inserted inside the first pipe 4 so that it can extend and retract, as shown in Figure 2. In other words, the part consisting of the first pipe 4 and the second pipe 5 is a telescopic part that extends and retracts, like the front fork of a large motorcycle. The outer diameter of the first pipe 4 is less than or equal to the inner diameter of the second pipe 5.
[0014] On the upper end side of the second pipe 5, that is, the end on the grip portion 2 side of the second pipe 5, a resin guide member 7 is provided. By slidingly contacting the outer peripheral surface of the first pipe 4, the guide member 7 guides the vertical displacement of the first pipe 4.
[0015] Hereinafter, the “upper side (in the cane 1)” means the grip portion 2 side, and the “lower side (in the cane 1)” means the tip 3 side. That is, the upper side during the use of the cane 1 is the “upper side (in the cane 1)”, and the lower side during the use of the cane 1 is the “lower side (in the cane 1)”.
[0016] The third pipe 6 is a pipe member connected to the second pipe 5 via a hinge portion 8 provided at the lower end side of the second pipe 5, that is, the end on the tip 3 side of the second pipe 5. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the third pipe 6 can be folded with respect to the second pipe 5.
[0017] The slide lock mechanism 9 is a mechanism that regulates the vertical displacement of the first pipe 4 with respect to the second pipe 5. The rotation lock mechanism 10 is a mechanism that regulates the rotation of the third pipe 6 with respect to the second pipe 5 and maintains the state in which the second pipe 5 and the third pipe 6 are in a straight line. A tip 3 made of resin or rubber is provided at the lower end of the third pipe 6.
[0018] <2. Slide Lock Mechanism> As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7, the slide lock mechanism 9 is configured to include at least a slide lock pin 9A (see FIG. 3), a spring 9B (see FIG. 3), an operation portion 9C (see FIG. 7), a wire 9D (see FIG. 3), and a housing 9E (see FIG. 3).
[0019] The slide lock pin 9A is a member that is disposed slidably in the first pipe 4 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first pipe 4. Specifically, the slide lock pin 9A is displaceable between a locked position (see FIG. 3) and an unlocked position (see FIG. 6).
[0020] The locked position (see Figure 3) is the position where the slide lock pin 9A passes through the through holes 4A and 5A (see Figure 6) provided in the first pipe 4 and the second pipe 5, respectively. The unlocked position (see Figure 6) is the position where the slide lock pin 9A is retracted from at least the through hole 5A of the second pipe 5.
[0021] As shown in Figure 3, the spring 9B exerts an elastic force that presses the slide lock pin 9A toward the locked position. The wire 9D is a flexible cord with one end connected to the operating part 9C (see Figure 7) and the other end connected to the slide lock pin 9A.
[0022] The slide lock pin 9A and spring 9B are housed in a resin housing 9E, as shown in Figure 3. The housing 9E is fixed to the lower end of the first pipe 4 and slidably holds the slide lock pin 9A.
[0023] As shown in Figure 7, the operating part 9C is located on the upper end side of the grip part 2 and is operated by the user. When the operating part 9C is operated (in this embodiment, when the operating part 9C is displaced upward), the wire 9D is pulled and the slide lock pin 9A is displaced to the unlocked position.
[0024] In this embodiment, the operating section 9C is slidable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first pipe 4, while the slide lock pin 9A is slidable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
[0025] Therefore, the housing 9E is provided with a deflection section 9F, as shown in Figure 3. The deflection section 9F is the part that deflects the tension direction of the wire 9D by approximately 90 degrees. In this embodiment, the deflection section 9F is a curved surface that the wire 9D slides into contact with.
[0026] <3. Rotation locking mechanism> As shown in Figure 4, the rotation lock mechanism 10 is configured to include at least a rotation lock pin 10A, a spring 10B, a regulating member 10C, a retaining part 10D, an O-ring 10E, and a pressing part 4B (see Figure 3).
[0027] The rotating lock pin 10A is a rod-shaped or pin-shaped member that is displaceable between an unlocked position (see Figure 8) and a locked position (see Figure 4). The unlocked position is the position in which the entire rotating lock pin 10A is housed within the third pipe 6 or the second pipe 5 (in this embodiment, the third pipe 6), as shown in Figure 8.
[0028] The locked position is the position in which a portion of the rotating lock pin 10A is inserted into the second pipe 5 and the third pipe 6, respectively, as shown in Figure 4. In this embodiment, the rotating lock pin 10A slides between the locked position and the unlocked position by extending and retracting from the third pipe 6.
[0029] The spring 10B exerts an elastic force that displaces the rotating lock pin 10A toward the locked position. The regulating member 10C and the retaining part 10D are members that prevent the rotating lock pin 10A from being inserted into the second pipe 5 side more than necessary due to the elastic force of the spring 10B.
[0030] In other words, the retaining portion 10D is a member fixed to the third pipe 6. The restricting member 10C is a member that connects the rotating lock pin 10A and the retaining portion 10D while allowing the rotating lock pin 10A to move in and out of the third pipe 6.
[0031] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the regulating member 10C is fastened and fixed at its upper end to the rotating lock pin 10A, and at its lower end is a bolt that can slide relative to the retaining portion 10D.
[0032] Furthermore, the locking of the bolt head with the retaining portion 10D prevents the rotation lock pin 10A from being inserted into the second pipe 5 side more than necessary. The O-ring 10E is a rubber interference material that reduces the impact noise when the bolt head collides with the retaining portion 10D.
[0033] The pressing portion 4B is a portion provided on the lower end side of the first pipe 4 (in this embodiment, the lower surface of the housing 9E), and as shown in Figure 8, it is a portion that contacts the upper end of the rotation lock pin 10A and presses the rotation lock pin 10A toward the unlocked position.
[0034] In other words, when the user of the cane 1 releases the slide lock mechanism 9 (setting the slide lock pin 9A to the unlocked position) and slides the first pipe 4 toward the third pipe 6 (i.e., downwards), the pressing part 4B comes into contact with the upper end of the rotation lock pin 10A.
[0035] Then, while the pressing portion 4B remains in contact with the upper end of the rotating lock pin 10A, the first pipe 4 slides further toward the third pipe 6 (i.e., downward), causing the entire rotating lock pin 10A to be housed within the third pipe 6 (see Figure 8).
[0036] <4. The enticing part> As shown in Figure 4, a guide portion 11 is provided at the lower end of the second pipe 5 or the upper end of the third pipe 6 (in this embodiment, the lower end of the second pipe 5). As shown in Figure 9, the guide portion 11 is a "shoehorn" shaped part that guides the rotating lock pin 10A into the second pipe 5 by sliding contact with the rotating lock pin 10A.
[0037] <5. Method of using the cane according to this embodiment> <5.1 When shrinking the cane> The state shown in Figure 1 is the fully extended state of the cane 1. In this state, when the user slides the operating part 9C (see Figure 7) upward, the wire 9D is pulled towards the grip part 2, causing the slide lock pin 9A to move from the locked position (see Figure 3) to the unlocked position (see Figure 6).
[0038] Then, with the slide lock pin 9A in the unlocked position, if the user displaces the first pipe 4 downwards (towards the third pipe 6), the pressing part 4B will come into contact with the upper end of the rotation lock pin 10A (see Figure 6).
[0039] When the pressing portion 4B is in contact with the upper end of the rotating lock pin 10A, and the first pipe 4 is further displaced downwards (towards the third pipe 6), the entire rotating lock pin 10A becomes housed within the third pipe 6 (see Figure 8).
[0040] Therefore, the third pipe 6 becomes rotatable relative to the second pipe 5, and as shown in Figure 5, the third pipe 6 and the second pipe 5 become foldable. In other words, when the first pipe 4 is completely stored inside the second pipe 5, the rotation lock pin 10A automatically returns to the unlocked position, and the third pipe 6 and the second pipe 5 become foldable.
[0041] <5.2 When extending the cane> When the third pipe 6 is folded (see Figure 5), if the user rotates the third pipe 6 around the hinge 8 in the direction to the right in the plane of Figure 5, the tip of the rotation lock pin 10A will come into contact with the guide part 11, as shown in Figure 9.
[0042] When the user further rotates the third pipe 6 while the tip of the rotating lock pin 10A is in contact with the guide portion 11, the tip of the rotating lock pin 10A slips against the guide portion 11, and a force acts on the rotating lock pin 10A that pushes it into the third pipe 6.
[0043] Therefore, as the third pipe 6 rotates, the rotation lock pin 10A is displaced so as to retract into the third pipe 6. When the third pipe 6 rotates until its central axis coincides with the central axis of the second pipe 5, the force pushing the rotation lock pin 10A into the third pipe 6 disappears.
[0044] Therefore, when the central axis of the third pipe 6 and the central axis of the second pipe 5 coincide, the elastic force of the spring 10B causes a portion of the rotation lock pin 10A to fit into the second pipe 5, and the rotation lock pin 10A enters the locked position (see Figure 4).
[0045] Furthermore, when the rotation lock pin 10A is in the locked position, if the user pulls the first pipe 4 away from the second pipe 5, the part above the hinge 8 will extend until the slide lock pin 9A is in the locked position.
[0046] <6. Features of the cane according to this embodiment> According to the cane 1 of this embodiment, the rotation lock mechanism 10 is automatically released by lowering (pushing downwards) the first pipe 4, so the user can easily and quickly retract the cane 1.
[0047] Furthermore, since the guide section 11 is provided, the user can automatically lock the rotation lock mechanism 10 simply by rotating the third pipe 6 until the central axis of the third pipe 6 coincides with the central axis of the second pipe 5.
[0048] Furthermore, the walking stick 1 according to this embodiment is a trekking pole used for mountain climbing and the like. When using a trekking pole, the user holds the grip portion 2 together with the strap. For this reason, it is desirable that the operating portion 9C be in a position where the user can operate it while holding the grip portion 2.
[0049] In contrast, in this embodiment, the operating unit 9C is provided on the upper end side of the grip portion 2, so the user can operate the operating unit 9C while holding the grip portion 2 together with the strap. Incidentally, if the operating unit 9C were provided at the upper end of the grip portion 2, it could potentially induce accidental operation.
[0050] (Other embodiments) In the embodiment described above, the unlocked position was the position in which the entire rotary lock pin 10A was housed within the third pipe 6. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may define the unlocked position as, for example, the position in which the entire rotary lock pin 10A is housed within the second pipe 5.
[0051] The guide portion 11 in the above-described embodiment was a portion provided on the lower end side of the second pipe 5 that guides the rotation lock pin 10A into the second pipe 5. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
[0052] In other words, the disclosure may, for example, be configured such that the guiding portion 11 is provided on the upper end side of the third pipe 6 and guides the rotating lock pin 10A into the second pipe 5. In this configuration, the rotating lock pin 10A is housed in the second pipe 5 so as to be able to extend and retract.
[0053] The cane according to the embodiment described above was composed of three metal pipes 4-6. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may also describe a cane composed of, for example, four or more pipes.
[0054] Furthermore, in the case of a cane composed of four or more pipes, it is desirable to have a configuration in which a second hinge is provided in the part below the hinge part 8, a configuration in which the part below the hinge part 8 is telescopic, or a configuration in which the part above the hinge part 8 is telescopic in three or more stages.
[0055] In the embodiment described above, the restricting member 10C was composed of a bolt. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, for example, the restricting member 10C may be composed of a wire.
[0056] In the embodiment described above, the tip 3 was manufactured as a separate component from the third pipe 6, which is made of resin or rubber, and then integrated with the lower end of the third pipe 6. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may also include a configuration in which the lower end of the third pipe 6 itself serves as the tip 3.
[0057] In the embodiments described above, the walking stick according to this disclosure was applied to trekking poles. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure can also be applied to walking sticks for elderly people with weak legs, for example.
[0058] The slide lock mechanism 9 according to the above embodiment was a lock mechanism that utilized the engagement of a slide lock pin 9A. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may also include, for example, a pressurized slide lock mechanism that utilizes frictional force.
[0059] In the embodiment described above, the first pipe 4 was inserted internally into the second pipe 5 so as to be able to move in and out. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may also include, for example, a configuration in which the first pipe 4 is inserted internally into the second pipe 5 so as to be able to move in and out.
[0060] Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, but is sufficient to be consistent with the intent of the disclosures described in the embodiments described above. Therefore, it may be a configuration in which at least two of the embodiments described above are combined, or a configuration in which any of the illustrated components or components described with reference numerals in the embodiments described above are omitted. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0061] 1… Walking stick 2… Grip section 3… Tip 4… First pipe 4A… Through hole 4B… Pressing part 5… Second pipe 5A… Through hole 6… Third pipe 7… Guide member 8… Hinge section 9… Slide lock mechanism 9A… Slide lock pin 9B… Spring 9C… Operating section 9D… Wire 9E… Housing 9F… Turning section 10… Rotation lock mechanism 10A… Rotation lock pin 10B… Spring 10C… Regulating member 10D… Retaining part 10E… O-ring 11… Guiding part
Claims
1. In a walking stick composed of three pipes from the grip to the tip, The first pipe on which the grip portion is provided, The first pipe is inserted into the second pipe so as to be able to extend and retract, A third pipe connected to the second pipe via a hinge portion provided on the lower end of the second pipe, the third pipe having a tip at its lower end, A slide lock mechanism that restricts the first pipe from moving in and out relative to the second pipe, A rotation locking mechanism that restricts the rotation of the third pipe relative to the second pipe, A cane equipped with a walking stick.
2. The aforementioned rotation locking mechanism is A rotating lock pin that is slidable between an unlocked position in which the entire pin is housed within the third pipe and a locked position in which a portion of the pin is inserted into the second pipe and the third pipe, respectively, and The device has a spring that exerts an elastic force to displace the aforementioned rotating lock pin toward the locked position, The lower end of the first pipe is provided with a pressing portion that contacts the upper end of the rotation lock pin and presses the rotation lock pin toward the unlocked position. The cane according to claim 1.
3. The cane according to claim 2, wherein the lower end of the second pipe is provided with a guide portion that slides into contact with the rotating lock pin, thereby guiding the rotating lock pin into the second pipe.
4. The aforementioned slide lock mechanism is A slide lock pin slidably disposed within the first pipe, the slide lock pin being displaceable between a locked position through through holes provided in the first pipe and the second pipe, and an unlocked position retracted from the through hole in the second pipe. A spring that exerts an elastic force to press the slide lock pin toward the locked position, An operating part provided on the upper end side of the grip portion and operated by the user, and It has a wire with one end connected to the operating part and the other end connected to the slide lock pin, The cane according to claim 3, wherein when the operating part is operated, the wire is pulled and the slide lock pin is displaced to the unlocked position.