Walking stick and foot part for walking stick

Abstract

The present invention provides a walking stick and a foot part for a walking stick with which a repulsive force can be formed when the walking stick is pushed down. A foot part (30) of a walking stick (1) according to the present disclosure comprises a plurality of ground contact portions (31, 32) that contact the ground to support the walking stick. The plurality of ground contact portions (31, 32) include a first ground contact portion (31) which is connected to a shaft (20) of the walking stick by a connecting portion (50) and which extends from the connecting portion in the forward walking direction when the walking stick is used and a second ground contact portion (32) which is connected to the shaft (20) by the connecting portion (50) and which extends from the connecting portion in the backward walking direction when the walking stick is used. When the walking stick 1 is viewed from the side, the forward diameter from the connecting portion (50) with the shaft (20) to the front end of the first ground contact portion (31) and the rear diameter from the connecting portion (50) with the shaft (20) to the rear end of the second ground contact portion (32) are different.

Description

Walking sticks and walking stick feet

[0001] The present invention relates to a walking stick and a foot for a walking stick.

[0002] Canes have been widely used as walking aids for some time. Conventional walking canes are rod-shaped and are either single-point canes that contact the ground at one point or multi-point canes that contact the ground at multiple points. These canes have been proven to increase walking speed and reduce abnormal gait for hemiplegic patients. This is believed to be because the cane can generate both braking and propulsive force.

[0003] Also, canes with curved shafts have been disclosed (see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[0004] Patent No. 6786132 Patent No. 6746182 Patent No. 6746181

[0005] However, single-point canes have only one bottom point, making them suitable for generating propulsive force but not for generating braking force. In contrast, multi-point canes have a wide contact area, making them suitable for generating braking force but not for generating propulsive force. Furthermore, generating propulsive force requires a push-off action, but conventional wooden or aluminum canes cannot provide sufficient reaction force.

[0006] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a walking stick and a foot for the walking stick that are capable of generating a repulsive force when the walking stick is pushed in.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a foot for a cane is provided which has a plurality of ground contact parts that come into contact with the ground and support the cane, the plurality of ground contact parts including a first ground contact part that is connected to the shaft of the cane by a connection part and extends from the connection part to the front in the walking direction when the cane is being used, and a second ground contact part that is connected to the shaft by the connection part and extends from the connection part to the opposite side in the walking direction when the cane is being used, and which, when viewed from the side of the cane, has a front diameter from the connection part with the shaft to the tip of the first ground contact part that is different from a rear diameter from the connection part with the shaft to the rear end of the second ground contact part.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a walking stick comprising a foot for the walking stick as described above, a shaft connected to the foot for the walking stick, and a grip connected to the shaft for being held by a user.

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cane and a foot for a cane that are capable of generating a repulsive force when the cane is pushed in.

[0010] 1A and 1B are a perspective view and a left side view of a cane according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively;

[0011] The present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0012] 1. Overview The cane of this embodiment has a mechanism in which the foot, which is the lower end of the cane, has a shape that is optimal for generating forward propulsion. For example, the cane has a shape in which the front of the connection with the shaft is longer than the rear on the sagittal plane (plane viewed from the side). In addition, the cane is preferably made of a carbon material.

[0013] 2. Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cane according to this embodiment. The cane 1 of this embodiment includes a grip 10, a shaft 20, and a foot 30. The grip 10 is the portion of the cane that a user holds in their hand. The grip 10 may also be referred to as a handle or a grip. The grip 10 is connected to the shaft 20 via a first connection portion 40. The shaft 20 is the portion connected between the grip 10 and the foot 30. The shaft 20 may also be referred to as a handle or a support. The foot 30 is the portion that comes into contact with the ground or the like. The foot 30 is connected to the shaft 20. In addition to the configuration described below, the foot 30 may simply refer to the portion that comes into contact with the ground. For example, the foot 30 may be integral with the shaft 20, or may be rubber or another elastic body attached to the bottom of the shaft. The foot 30 may also be referred to as a ground-contact portion. In addition to the configuration described below, the shaft 20 may have a known shape or any other appropriate shape.

[0014] In this embodiment, the grip 10, shaft 20, and foot 30 are connected to one another to form the walking stick 1. For example, the grip 10, shaft 20, and foot 30 may be configured as separate elements that are connected to one another to form the walking stick 1, or the grip 10, shaft 20, and foot 30 may be configured as an integrated unit. Alternatively, two of the grip 10, shaft 20, and foot 30 may be configured as an integrated unit and connected to the other one. The detailed configuration of each unit will be described later.

[0015] In the following description, each direction is defined as follows: The direction in which a user walks while holding the cane 1 is the walking direction or forward-backward direction, with the walking direction being the forward direction and the opposite direction being the backward direction. The vertical direction relative to a horizontal ground surface is the up-down direction, with the ground side being the downward direction and the opposite direction being the upward direction. Note that although the cane 1 tilts during use, it is not used upside down. Therefore, the upper side of the cane 1 corresponds to the grip side in the longitudinal direction of the cane 1, and the lower side of the cane 1 corresponds to the foot side in the longitudinal direction of the cane 1. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the above-mentioned forward-backward and vertical directions is referred to as the lateral direction (left-right direction). Since the direction may differ depending on whether the hand holding the cane 1 is right-handed or left-handed, assuming the hand holding the cane 1, the thumb side of the hand is referred to as the thumb direction (also referred to as the inside of the cane) and the little finger side of the hand is referred to as the little finger direction (also referred to as the outside of the cane). If the hand holding the cane 1 is reversed, the thumb direction (inside) and little finger direction (outside) will be reversed. In other words, the cane 1 (particularly the grip 10) can be provided for right and left hands. When the hand holding the cane 1 is not relevant, it may simply be referred to as the lateral or left-right direction.

[0016] (Configuration of Grip 10 and First Connection Portion 40) In this embodiment, the grip 10 may have any suitable shape, including the shapes shown in the drawings and described below, and the cane 1 may include a first connection portion 40. The grip 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is held by a user of the cane 1. The first connection portion 40 is a first connection portion that connects the shaft 20 and the grip 10 and is plate-shaped or flat. The first connection portion 40 is made of, for example, carbon. For example, when a user grips the cane 1, the first connection portion 40 passes between the second and third fingers of the user's holding hand. The long axis of the horizontal cross section of the first connection portion 40 is perpendicular to the walking direction when the user walks using the cane. In other words, the long axis extends horizontally (left and right). The short axis of the horizontal cross section of the first connection portion 40 is aligned with the walking direction. The direction of the long axis does not need to be strictly perpendicular to the walking direction, and may have a range of, for example, about plus or minus 30 degrees. In other words, the angle between the long axis and the walking direction may be any angle between 60 degrees and 120 degrees, or any angle between 75 degrees and 105 degrees.

[0017] The long axis of the horizontal cross section of the first connection part 40 is, for example, in the range of 15 mm to 20 mm in length, and the short axis of the cross section is 10 mm or less in length. The grip 10 is longer from the first connection part 40 rearward in the walking direction than from the first connection part 40 forward in the walking direction (see FIG. 2). A user of the cane 1 passes the first connection part 40 between the second and third fingers from the outside of the cane, holds the grip 10 with the thumb facing in the walking direction, and places the palm of the hand on the upper side of the grip 10 from the outside.

[0018] (Configuration of shaft 20) The shape of the shaft 20 is, for example, a plate-shaped shaft curved so that it is convex forward. If it is plate-shaped, the horizontal cross section is rectangular, but the horizontal cross section may also be elliptical or flat. The shaft 20 may also be a shaft with a circular cross section (i.e., cylindrical), like a conventional walking stick.

[0019] (Configuration of Foot 30) The foot 30 has a contact portion that comes into contact with the ground or floor to support the cane. Here, the ground or floor refers to the walking surface in the environment where the cane 1 is used for walking, whether indoors or outdoors. For example, when pushing with the cane, multiple contact portions of the foot may contact the ground almost simultaneously, or may contact the ground in the following manner, for example. In the initial stage of pushing with the cane (initial contact), the rear of the foot 30 contacts the ground; in the middle stage (e.g., mid-stance) when the user's weight is applied, both the front and rear of the foot contact the ground; and in the final stage (e.g., final stance) when the cane is lifted from the ground, only the front of the foot (corresponding to the toes) may contact the ground.

[0020] The foot 30 has multiple ground-contacting portions that support the cane by coming into contact with the ground. The multiple ground-contacting portions include a first ground-contacting portion 31 and a second ground-contacting portion 32. The first ground-contacting portion 31 is connected to the cane shaft 20 at a second connection portion 50 (also referred to as a "connection portion") and extends from this connection portion forward in the walking direction when the cane is being used. The second ground-contacting portion 32 is connected to the shaft 20 at the second connection portion 50 and extends from this connection portion backward in the walking direction when the cane is being used. When the cane is viewed from the side, the forward diameter from the second connection portion 50 with the shaft 20 to the tip of the first ground-contacting portion 31 is different from the rear diameter from the second connection portion 50 with the shaft 30 to the rear end of the second ground-contacting portion 32. For example, when viewed from the side, the forward diameter from the second connection portion 50 with the shaft 20 to the tip of the first ground-contacting portion 31 is longer than the rear diameter from the second connection portion 50 with the shaft 20 to the rear end of the second ground-contacting portion 32.

[0021] For example, the first ground contact portion 31 is curved convexly downward between the ground contact surface of the first ground contact portion 31 and the second connecting portion 50, and the second ground contact portion 32 is curved convexly downward between the ground contact surface of the second ground contact portion 32 and the second connecting portion 50. The ground contact surfaces of the first ground contact portion 31 and the second ground contact portion 32 configured in this way come into contact with each other, thereby forming a repulsion mechanism against the load from the cane shaft 20. Note that the ground contact surfaces of the first ground contact portion 31 and the second ground contact portion 32 do not necessarily have to be separated, and the first ground contact portion 31 and the second ground contact portion 32 may have a continuous ground contact surface.

[0022] The first grounding portion 31 is flat and connected continuously to the plate-shaped shaft 20. The second grounding portion 32 is flat and connected continuously to the plate-shaped shaft 20.

[0023] (Effects) The above-mentioned structure allows for the generation of a repulsive force when the cane is pushed. This allows for a significant improvement in the propulsion function of conventional canes. Furthermore, elderly people and people with disabilities (especially hemiplegic people) who require a cane use a cane to compensate for the lack of propulsion function they lack with their own body. This results in a decrease in walking speed and abnormal movements of the limbs and trunk. By using this cane, a high propulsive force can be generated, allowing for an increase in walking speed to a natural walking speed and the reduction of abnormal movements while walking.

[0024] (Configuration Example) The above configuration can also be expressed as follows.

[0025] [Configuration Example 1] A foot for a cane, comprising: a plurality of ground contact parts that come into contact with the ground and support the cane, wherein the plurality of ground contact parts include: a first ground contact part that is connected to the shaft of the cane at a connection part and extends from the connection part to the front in the walking direction when the cane is used; and a second ground contact part that is connected to the shaft at the connection part and extends from the connection part to the opposite side in the walking direction when the cane is used, wherein, when the cane is viewed from the side, a front diameter from the connection part with the shaft to the tip of the first ground contact part is different from a rear diameter from the connection part with the shaft to the rear end of the second ground contact part.

[0026] [Configuration Example 2] When the cane is viewed from the side, the forward diameter from the connection point with the shaft to the tip of the first ground contact part is longer than the rearward diameter from the connection point with the shaft to the rear end of the second ground contact part. A foot for a cane as described in Configuration Example 1.

[0027] [Configuration Example 3] A foot for a cane as described in Configuration Example 1 or 2, wherein the first ground contact portion is curved convexly downward between the ground contact surface of the first ground contact portion and the connecting portion, and the second ground contact portion is curved convexly downward between the ground contact surface of the second ground contact portion and the connecting portion, and a repulsion mechanism against load from the shaft of the cane is formed by the first ground contact portion and the second ground contact portion.

[0028] [Configuration Example 4] A foot for a cane as described in any one of Configuration Examples 1 to 3, wherein the first ground contact portion is flat and connected continuously to the plate-shaped shaft, and the second ground contact portion is flat and connected continuously to the plate-shaped shaft.

[0029] [Configuration Example 5] A walking stick comprising: a foot for a walking stick according to any one of configuration examples 1 to 4; a shaft connected to the foot for the walking stick; and a grip connected to the shaft and adapted to be held by a user.

[0030] The present invention can be used in the manufacture and sale of walking sticks and components for walking sticks. The walking stick of the present invention is also suitable as a walking stick for the elderly and disabled, especially for hemiplegic people.

[0031] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 walking stick 10 grip 20 shaft 30 foot 40 first connecting part 50 second connecting part

Claims

1. A foot for a cane, comprising a plurality of grounding portions that support the cane in a grounded manner. The plurality of grounding portions are connected to the shaft of the cane at a connection portion. The first grounding portion extends forward in the walking direction when the cane is used from the connection portion, and the second grounding portion is connected to the shaft at the connection portion and extends rearward in the opposite direction of the walking direction when the cane is used from the connection portion. When the cane is viewed from the side, the front diameter from the connection portion with the shaft to the tip of the first grounding portion is different from the rear diameter from the connection portion with the shaft to the rear end of the second grounding portion.

2. The foot for a cane according to claim 1, wherein when the cane is viewed from the side, the front diameter from the connection portion with the shaft to the tip of the first grounding portion is longer than the rear diameter from the connection portion with the shaft to the rear end of the second grounding portion.

3. The first grounding portion is curved convex downward between the grounding surface of the first grounding portion and the connection portion. The second grounding portion is curved convex downward between the grounding surface of the second grounding portion and the connection portion. By installing the grounding surfaces of the first grounding portion and the second grounding portion, a repulsion mechanism against the load from the front shaft of the cane is formed. The foot for a cane according to claim 1.

4. The first grounding portion is flat and is continuously connected to the plate-shaped shaft. The second grounding portion is flat and is continuously connected to the plate-shaped shaft. The foot for a cane according to claim 1.

5. A cane comprising the foot for a cane according to claim 1, a shaft connected to the foot for a cane, and a grip connected to the shaft for being gripped by a user.

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