Foldable white cane sheath-type storage device

Abstract

This invention provides a sheath-type storage device for folding white canes that allows the use of a standard folding white cane, eliminates the need for fitting connectors, provides stable holding even when disconnected, maintains an optimal holding position according to the user's movements, allows the folding white cane to be held without being separated from the body, is suitable for both right-handed and left-handed users, and allows for smooth insertion and removal without relying on vision. [Solution] The foldable white cane holding sheath-type storage device is provided with a belt-shaped attachment member 1 worn around the waist, which has a sheath storage section equipped with an elastic member. A sheath member 6 consisting of a funnel-shaped section and a tapered section is arranged at an oblique angle, and the foldable white cane 11 is inserted and held without connection. The holding angle and attachment position can be adjusted by the elastic member. This allows for stable holding along the side of the body, smooth insertion and removal, and flexible positioning according to the user, and the holding state can be maintained whether standing or sitting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage device for holding a folding white cane used by visually impaired persons on the body, and particularly to a storage device that combines a sheath-type structure and a body-wearing structure and can be stably held in a non-connected state without using a connector for the white cane.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a white cane is always held by a visually impaired person in the hand, and when it is necessary to use both hands, methods such as sandwiching it under the arm, holding it with a strap, or propping it against the floor or wall have been used.

[0003] For a visually impaired person, separating the white cane from the body is particularly mentally disturbing when going out, and it is also a dangerous act that may cause accidents or injuries in terms of safety.

[0004] A technique of connecting a cane and a waist pouch with a connector and holding the cane on the body has also been proposed (Patent No. 7590103).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The prior art has the following problems. 1. It is necessary to provide a connector for the white cane, and there are cases where an existing white cane cannot be used as it is. 2. A fitting operation of the connector is required, and there is a risk that the operation burden will increase for a visually impaired person. 3. Since the white cane holding depends on the connected state, there may be a lack of flexibility in following body movements. 4. Due to the point connection method of holding, there is a risk that stability during shaking and operation may not be sufficiently ensured. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This invention relates to a folding white cane and comprises a belt-shaped attachment member that is worn around the waist of the body, a sheath storage section attached to the belt-shaped attachment member, a sheath member for storing the folding white cane, and an elastic member that supports the sheath storage section. The sheath storage section is positioned at an oblique angle to the belt-shaped attachment member, and the elastic member elastically supports the sheath storage section, while the angle and attachment position relative to the user's waist are adjustable. The folding white cane can be stored in the sheath member and then attached to the sheath storage section, allowing for stable holding in an unconnected state without the use of a connector.

[0008] The sheath member has a funnel-shaped opening that widens at the top and a tapered shape in which the inner diameter gradually decreases towards the bottom.

[0009] Furthermore, the mounting member includes a belt-shaped member, and the sheath storage portion is positioned at an oblique angle to the mounting member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] This invention provides the following effects. 1. No modification of the white cane is required. There is no need to attach any connectors to the white cane; a standard folding white cane can be used as is.

[0011] 2. Easy to use, requiring no connection procedures. By simply inserting the folding white cane into the sheath component installed in the sheath storage section, it can be held diagonally near the side of the body's waist, eliminating the need for fitting together connecting parts and significantly reducing the burden of operation for visually impaired individuals.

[0012] 3. Stable maintenance using gravity Due to the funnel-shaped opening and the tapered shape, the folding white cane is naturally guided downward by gravity and is stably held even in the non-connected state.

[0013] 4. Improvement in following the walking motion Due to the support structure by the belt-shaped elastic member and the diagonal arrangement, it can flexibly follow the swaying and movements of the body during walking and maintain a stable wearing state. Also, due to the fastening force by the belt-shaped elastic member, the inclination angle of the sheath member is maintained, improving the stability of the folding white cane with respect to the gravitational direction and maintaining an optimal holding state according to the user's movements.

[0014] 5. Improvement in the sense of security by body wearing Since the folding white cane can be held without being separated from the body, anxiety can be reduced even when going out or in situations where both hands are temporarily used.

[0015] 6. Wearing correspondence according to the dominant hand Since the wearing member can correspond to either the left or right side, it can be adapted to both right-handed and left-handed users, enabling optimal wearing according to the user.

[0016] 7. Improvement in operability by touch The insertion position of the folding white cane is easily recognizable tactilely due to the funnel-shaped opening, enabling smooth insertion and removal without relying on vision.

Brief description of the drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a view showing the entire belt member that can be worn on the left and right of the sheath storage part. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an enlarged side view of the sheath storage part (right side). [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an overall view of the sheath member. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an overall view of the sheath member storing the folded white cane. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a side view showing the wearing state in the standing position. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a side view showing the wearing state during seating. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view showing the diagonal fixing structure (right side waist horizontal part). [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view showing the usage state (removal operation). [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a view showing the usage state (state where the folding white cane is extended).

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] 1. Overall Configuration As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the folding white cane holding sheath-type storage device of the present invention includes a belt-shaped wearing member 1 worn on the waist of the wearer, a sheath storage portion 2 provided on the wearing member, and a sheath member 6 held in the sheath storage portion. The sheath storage portion 2 is a holding portion for holding the sheath member 6. The sheath member 6 is arranged at an oblique angle with respect to the belt-shaped wearing member 1. Further, the belt-shaped wearing member 1 is configured to be able to arrange the sheath storage portion 2 on either the left or right side, and the wearing position can be changed according to the dominant hand of the user.

[0020] 2. Structure of the Sheath Storage Portion As shown in FIG. 2, the sheath storage portion 2 is formed between the buckles 3 and 4 in the belt-shaped wearing member 1, and is configured to be inclined by providing an oblique seam 2a.

[0021] 3. Structure of the Sheath Member As shown in FIG. 3, the sheath member 6 includes an upper funnel-shaped portion 7 and a lower tapered portion 8. The funnel-shaped portion 7 has an opening shape with a diameter increasing upward, and the tapered portion 8 has a shape with an inner diameter gradually decreasing downward. Further, it has a tactile guide of a tape 9 having a velo 9a so that the lower side of the sheath member 6 and the entrance of the funnel-shaped portion can be identified.

[0022] Furthermore, a tape 10 is placed at the connection point between the funnel-shaped section 7 and the tapered section 8, which are near the center of gravity of the foldable white cane 11, so that the sheath member 6 can be inserted into the sheath storage section 2 up to below the sheath member tape 10, using the tape 10 as a tactile marker.

[0023] 4. Storage state of the white cane As shown in Figure 4, the folding white cane 11 is inserted into the sheath member 6 through the funnel-shaped section 7. The white cane is naturally guided by the funnel-shaped section 7 and led into the tapered section 8. The folding white cane 11 moves downward due to gravity and is held in a stable position along the inner wall of the tapered section 8. Furthermore, when removing the folding white cane 11, the folded large diameter section 11a of the folding white cane 11 is located at the top of the funnel-shaped section 7, so interference with the inner wall is less likely to occur, and it can be pulled out smoothly.

[0024] 5. Mounting structure As shown in Figure 1, the belt-shaped attachment member 1 forms the overall structure and consists of a central front belt 1a and belts 1b on both sides. There are two adjusters 3 attached to the central front belt 1a, and by adjusting the width of the front of the waist according to the wearer's body shape, the adjusters 3 can be appropriately positioned on both sides of the waist.

[0025] The belts 1b on both sides have the function of securing the sheath storage section 2 and the sheath member 6, and the distance between the sheath storage sections 2 can be adjusted by the adjacent front 3 and rear 4 adjusters on both sides. The end of the rear 1b of the belt has a male and female buckle 5, and the width of the back of the waist can be adjusted by pulling the rear end. In this way, the belt-shaped attachment member 1 can be adjusted to fit the side of the wearer's waist.

[0026] 6. Diagonal fixing structure As shown in Figure 7, the sheath storage section 2 is provided at an angle to the belt-shaped mounting member 1, and the sheath member 6 is held at an oblique angle by being inserted into the sheath storage section 2. Furthermore, the inclination angle of the sheath member 6 is maintained by the fastening force of the rubber belt. This configuration improves the stability of the foldable white cane 11 against gravity.

[0027] 7.How to use The user folds the extended folding white cane 11 according to normal use and inserts the folded white cane 11 into the funnel-shaped portion 7 of the sheath member 6. Figure 4 shows the state in which the folded white cane 11 is stored in the sheath member 6. The sheath member 6 containing the folding white cane 11 is inserted into the sheath storage section 2 provided on the belt-shaped mounting member 1, and the belt is fixed diagonally by adjusting the adjusters 3 and 4 of the sheath storage section 2. In this way, the white cane 11 is held in an unconnected state without the use of a connector.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the wearer can easily remove the folded white cane 11 from the sheath member 6 by pulling it upward with their dominant hand. In addition, as shown in Figure 9, the wearer can use the foldable white cane 11 with smooth motion by extending it with their dominant hand after removing it.

[0029] 8. Summary According to this invention, by combining a sheath member 6 consisting of a funnel-shaped portion 7 and a tapered portion 8 with a diagonally positioned sheath storage portion 2, stable holding in a disconnected state without the use of connectors, as well as improved operability and safety, are simultaneously achieved. [Examples]

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the present invention comprises a belt-shaped attachment member 1 worn around the user's waist, a sheath member 6 for storing the white cane 11, and a sheath storage section 2 for installing the sheath member. The sheath member 6 is attached to the belt-shaped attachment member 1 at a predetermined angle by being installed in the sheath storage section 2.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the sheath member 6 has a tapered bottom portion 8 that supports the foldable white cane 11, a funnel-shaped portion 7 at the tip opening, and a tongue 9a / tape 9 that guides the tip opening of the sheath member and the underside of the sheath member.

[0033] As shown in Figure 7, when the belt-shaped attachment member 1 is attached to the user's waist and the folding white cane 11 is inserted into the sheath member 6, the folding white cane 11 is held in an inclined position.

[0034] Figure 5 shows the foldable white cane 11 stored in the sheath member 6 and the belt-shaped attachment member 1 attached, while the user is standing, and Figure 6 shows the foldable white cane 11 stored in the sheath member 6 and attached while the user is seated.

[0035] According to this configuration, the foldable white cane 11 is held at a predetermined angle to the side of the wearer's waist, thus maintaining a stable posture against the direction of gravity.

[0036] This suppresses the swinging and outward protrusion of the foldable white cane 11 when worn, thereby reducing contact with and interference with the surroundings.

[0037] Furthermore, even when seated, the foldable white cane 11 is held along the side of the body, making it less likely to interfere with the floor or chair, and allowing the user to keep the foldable white cane 11 close to their body even during breaks or meals.

[0038] Therefore, the user can smoothly take out or re-store the foldable white cane 11 as needed, improving operability and convenience.

[0039] Figure 8 shows an example in which the folding white cane 11 stored in the sheath member 6 is taken out while seated, allowing the wearer to smoothly take out and put away the folding white cane 11 with their dominant hand.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, by extending the foldable white cane 11 held in the dominant hand, it is possible to transition to using the white cane without interrupting the movement. [Industrial applicability]

[0041] This invention relates to a storage device for carrying a white cane and can be used in the field of mobility assistance for visually impaired people. In particular, because it allows the white cane to be held stably at the side of the body, it is useful as a mobility aid in daily life.

[0042] Furthermore, because this invention has a simple structure consisting of a belt and a sheath member, it can be mass-produced in fields such as textile products, accessories, and welfare equipment, and can be widely used industrially. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1. The entire belt-shaped mounting member 2. Sheath storage section 2a Diagonal stitching on the sheath storage section 3. Front adjuster 4. Rear side of adjuster 5 Buckles (male and female) 6. Entire sheath member 7. Funnel-shaped part 8 Tapered section 9 tapes 9a Tongue 10 Sheath member fixing position guide tape 11. Foldable white cane 11a Folded white cane wide section

Claims

1. A sheath-type storage device for a folding white cane, comprising: an elastic belt-shaped attachment member worn on the waist of the body; a sheath storage section formed on the belt-shaped attachment member; and a sheath member attached to the sheath storage section, wherein the sheath storage section is positioned at an oblique angle to the belt-shaped attachment member, and the angle and attachment position of the sheath member relative to the user's waist can be adjusted by the elastic belt-shaped attachment member and the sheath storage section, and the folding white cane can be held by attaching the sheath member containing the folding white cane to the sheath storage section.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheath member comprises a funnel-shaped portion with an enlarged diameter at the top and a tapered portion with an inner diameter that gradually decreases towards the bottom.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the belt-shaped mounting member is configured to allow the sheath storage portion to be positioned on either the left or right side.

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