Walking Aid Push-Button Height Locking for Easy Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional walking aids, such as hiking poles and canes, often lack adequate adjustability, particularly for users with mobility issues like arthritis or visual impairment, making it cumbersome to adjust length during use, which can lead to reduced support and stability.
Innovation Solution
An expandable and collapsible walking aid utilizing a spring-actuated expansion mechanism with an internal latch system, allowing for quick and easy height adjustment via a push-button actuation, enabling the pole to be locked at various lengths between fully collapsed and fully elongated orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a twist-to-tighten/loosen mechanism is used to adjust telescopic tubes, then the pole length can be adjusted, but the adjustment becomes cumbersome for users with hand dexterity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional twist-to-tighten mechanical threading system with a spring-actuated expansion mechanism. This new system uses spring force to automatically expand the telescopic tubes when a button is pressed, eliminating the need for manual twisting and tightening operations that are difficult for users with hand dexterity issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism automatically performs the expansion function when activated by a simple button press. The spring force itself provides the expansion action without requiring the user to manually twist or tighten components, making the system self-actuating and much easier to operate.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a secondary grip is added to account for quick change in effective pole length, then adjustability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adjustment function from the grip area and relocates it to the top of the handle where a button is positioned. This separates the adjustment mechanism from the gripping function, allowing the grip to remain simple while providing quick adjustment capability through the button-actuated spring mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the adjustment function into separate components: a button for activation, a spring for expansion force, and a latch mechanism for locking. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without adding overall complexity to the device structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pole length is periodically adjusted during activities, then user needs are met, but the pole turns into a nuisance
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded and ready to expand the tubes immediately when the button is pressed. The latch mechanism is pre-positioned to automatically lock once expansion occurs. This preliminary preparation allows for instant adjustment without fumbling or complex操作步骤, making frequent adjustments during activities convenient rather than troublesome.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides enhanced support and stability by allowing users to easily adjust the pole length, reducing the effort required for adjustments and minimizing the device's nuisance factor during activities like hiking or traveling, thus improving mobility assistance.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention addresses these and other needs. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, an embodiment the present invention is directed to an expandable and collapsible mobility/hiking pole that uses spring-actuated expansion
Data Source
AI summary
A height adjustable walking aid includes an outer tube and an inner tube slidably received within the outer tube. Adjustment is made using a, actuating assembly and pin assembly. Application of an actuation force upon the actuating assembly engages a translating member within the translating rod assembly to drive a lower pin travel block of the pin assembly from a first position to a second position. A pin then travels from an extended position to a retracted position such that the inner tube may slidably translate within the outer tube.