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<ep-patent-document id="EP14189631B1" file="EP14189631NWB1.xml" lang="en" country="EP" doc-number="2865290" kind="B1" date-publ="20180221" status="n" dtd-version="ep-patent-document-v1-5">
<SDOBI lang="en"><B000><eptags><B001EP>ATBECHDEDKESFRGBGRITLILUNLSEMCPTIESILTLVFIROMKCYALTRBGCZEEHUPLSK..HRIS..MTNORS..SM..................</B001EP><B005EP>J</B005EP><B007EP>BDM Ver 0.1.63 (23 May 2017) -  2100000/0</B007EP></eptags></B000><B100><B110>2865290</B110><B120><B121>EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION</B121></B120><B130>B1</B130><B140><date>20180221</date></B140><B190>EP</B190></B100><B200><B210>14189631.6</B210><B220><date>20141021</date></B220><B240><B241><date>20151023</date></B241></B240><B250>en</B250><B251EP>en</B251EP><B260>en</B260></B200><B300><B310>102138242</B310><B320><date>20131023</date></B320><B330><ctry>TW</ctry></B330></B300><B400><B405><date>20180221</date><bnum>201808</bnum></B405><B430><date>20150429</date><bnum>201518</bnum></B430><B450><date>20180221</date><bnum>201808</bnum></B450><B452EP><date>20180116</date></B452EP></B400><B500><B510EP><classification-ipcr sequence="1"><text>A45B   5/00        20060101AFI20170327BHEP        </text></classification-ipcr><classification-ipcr sequence="2"><text>A47C   9/10        20060101ALI20170327BHEP        </text></classification-ipcr><classification-ipcr sequence="3"><text>A47C   4/04        20060101ALI20170327BHEP        </text></classification-ipcr></B510EP><B540><B541>de</B541><B542>In einen Stuhl verwandelbarer Gehstock</B542><B541>en</B541><B542>Chair-convertible walking stick</B542><B541>fr</B541><B542>Bâton de marche convertible en siège</B542></B540><B560><B561><text>TW-B- 143 769</text></B561></B560></B500><B700><B720><B721><snm>Pao, Chih-Ting</snm><adr><str>No.69, Ln. 80, Sec. 1, Defang Rd.</str><city>Dali District
Taichung City</city><ctry>TW</ctry></adr></B721></B720><B730><B731><snm>Step2Gold Co., Ltd</snm><iid>101487022</iid><irf>DE3020PTEP</irf><adr><str>4F., Nº 118, Chengtu Road 
Hsitun District</str><city>Taichung City</city><ctry>TW</ctry></adr></B731></B730><B740><B741><snm>Pallini Gervasi, Diego</snm><sfx>et al</sfx><iid>101258604</iid><adr><str>Notarbartolo &amp; Gervasi GmbH 
Bavariaring 21</str><city>80336 Munich</city><ctry>DE</ctry></adr></B741></B740></B700><B800><B840><ctry>AL</ctry><ctry>AT</ctry><ctry>BE</ctry><ctry>BG</ctry><ctry>CH</ctry><ctry>CY</ctry><ctry>CZ</ctry><ctry>DE</ctry><ctry>DK</ctry><ctry>EE</ctry><ctry>ES</ctry><ctry>FI</ctry><ctry>FR</ctry><ctry>GB</ctry><ctry>GR</ctry><ctry>HR</ctry><ctry>HU</ctry><ctry>IE</ctry><ctry>IS</ctry><ctry>IT</ctry><ctry>LI</ctry><ctry>LT</ctry><ctry>LU</ctry><ctry>LV</ctry><ctry>MC</ctry><ctry>MK</ctry><ctry>MT</ctry><ctry>NL</ctry><ctry>NO</ctry><ctry>PL</ctry><ctry>PT</ctry><ctry>RO</ctry><ctry>RS</ctry><ctry>SE</ctry><ctry>SI</ctry><ctry>SK</ctry><ctry>SM</ctry><ctry>TR</ctry></B840></B800></SDOBI>
<description id="desc" lang="en"><!-- EPO <DP n="1"> -->
<heading id="h0001">1. Field of the Invention</heading>
<p id="p0001" num="0001">This invention relates to a chair-convertible walking stick.</p>
<heading id="h0002">2. Description of the Related Art</heading>
<p id="p0002" num="0002"><patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US2380437A"><text>U.S. patent no. 2380437</text></patcit> discloses a crutch assembly which includes a crutch and a foldable seat. One problem with the crutch assembly is that when the seat is in its folded position, a mechanism for supporting the seat, such as supporting legs, etc., is not compactly folded and is exposed to the user, so that the user may easily get hurt by the folded supporting mechanism. <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US3999565A"><text>U.S. patent no. 3999565</text></patcit> discloses a walking stick device in which a support member for supporting the wounded knee or leg is fastened to a standard/body in a retractable fashion. The walking stick device may encounter the similar problem. <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="TW143769B"><text>TW patent no. 143 769 B</text></patcit> discloses as well a chair-convertible walking stick. An object of the present invention is to provide a chair-convertible walking stick in which a seat unit can be transformed from a use state to a collapsed state by virtue of a novel conversion mechanism. With the novel conversion mechanism, when a person uses the chair-convertible walking stick of this invention with the seat unit in the collapsed state, he/she is less likely to get hurt by the walking stick.</p>
<p id="p0003" num="0003">According to this invention, a chair-convertible walking stick includes:
<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>a stick shank extending in a lengthwise direction to terminate at a grip end and a foot end;</li>
<li>a collar sleeve sleeved on the stick shank and movable between distal and proximate positions relative to the grip end;</li>
<li>a carrier configured to be slidable on the stick shank and movable between upper and lower positions;</li>
<li>a seat unit including, a middle portion extending in a longitudinal direction to terminate at a forward edge and a rearward edge which is pivotally connected to the collar sleeve, and left and right wing portions each being juxtaposed with the middle portion along a hinge line, and each being hinged to the middle portion at the respective hinge line such that when the collar sleeve is displaced from the distal position to the proximate position, the seat unit is convertible from a use state,<!-- EPO <DP n="2"> --> where the middle portion is coplanar with the left and right wing portions, to a collapsed state, where the middle portion is at an included angle with each of the left and right wing portions;</li>
<li>two keyways each being disposed on an under surface of a corresponding one of the left and right wing portions, and each extending along the longitudinal direction to terminate at front and rear keyway ends;</li>
<li>two bracing bars each having a pivot end pivotally connected to the carrier, and a key end configured to be slidably engaged with a corresponding one of the keyways such that when the key end slides from the front keyway end of a respective one of the keyways to the rear keyway end of the respective one of the keyways, the seat unit is converted from the use state to the collapsed state;</li>
<li>two prop legs each extending to terminate at a bottom end for standing on the ground, and a pivoted end pivotally connected to the carrier, the two prop legs being convertible between a straddling position, where the bottom ends of the prop legs are remote from the stick shank, and an upheld position, where the bottom ends are close to the stick shank such that when the collar sleeve is displaced from the distal position to the proximate position, the prop legs are permitted to move from the straddling position to the upheld position; and</li>
<li>first and second retaining members respectively disposed to prevent the collar sleeve and the carrier from moving toward the foot end and to permit the collar sleeve and the carrier to be retained at the distal and lower positions, respectively.</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0003">IN THE DRAWINGS</heading>
<p id="p0004" num="0004">Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
<ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li><figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a chair-convertible walking stick in accordance with the present invention, where a seat unit of the chair-convertible walking stick is in a use state;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> is a perspective view of the chair-convertible walking stick in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>, showing that the seat unit of the chair-convertible walking stick is in a collapsed<!-- EPO <DP n="3"> --> state;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> is an operational perspective view of the chair-convertible walking stick in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>, showing that the seat unit of the chair-convertible walking stick is in a state between the use state and the collapsed state, some elements in the right side of the walking stick being omitted for clarity;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> is another perspective view of the chair-convertible walking stick in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> but with some elements in the right side of the walking stick omitted;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref> is a bottom view of the seat unit of the chair-convertible walking stick in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> when the seat unit is in the use state;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref> is a side view of the chair-convertible walking stick in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> when the seat unit is in the use state;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0007">Fig. 7</figref> is an operational side view of the chair-convertible walking stick <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>, showing that the seat unit is in a state between the use state and the collapsed state;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0008">Fig. 8</figref> is an enlarged perspective view of the seat unit of the chair-convertible walking stick in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> when the seat unit is in the use state;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0009">Fig. 9</figref> is an enlarged perspective view of a carrier of the chair-convertible walking stick in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0010">Fig. 10</figref> is an enlarged side view in partial section of the chair-convertible walking stick in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>, showing a key assembly and a keyway in an engaged state;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0011">Fig. 11</figref> is an enlarged bottom view of the seat unit of the chair-convertible walking stick in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0012">Fig. 12</figref> is an operational side view of a second embodiment of a chair-convertible walking stick in accordance with the present invention, where a seat unit is in a state between a use state and a collapsed state;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0013">Fig. 13</figref> is a cross sectional side view of a third embodiment of a chair-convertible walking stick in accordance with the present invention;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0014">Fig. 14</figref> is an exploded view of a forth the embodiment of a chair-convertible walking stick in accordance the present invention;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0015">Fig. 15</figref> is a side view of a fifth embodiment of a chair-convertible walking stick in accordance the present invention;<!-- EPO <DP n="4"> --></li>
<li><figref idref="f0016">Fig. 16</figref> shows enlarged operation perspective views of the locking device of a chair-convertible walking stick in accordance the present invention;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0017">Fig. 17</figref> is an enlarged top view in partial section of the locking device in <figref idref="f0016">Fig. 16</figref>; and</li>
<li><figref idref="f0018">Fig. 18</figref> is a side view of a sixth embodiment of a chair-convertible walking stick in accordance the present invention.</li>
</ul></p>
<p id="p0005" num="0005">Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted herein that same reference numerals are used to denote like elements throughout the specification.</p>
<p id="p0006" num="0006">With reference to <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007">Figs. 1 to 7</figref>, a first preferred embodiment of a chair-convertible walking stick in accordance with the present invention includes a supporting unit 1, a conversion mechanism 2, a seat unit 3, and first and second retaining members 13, 14. The supporting unit 1 includes a stick shank 11, a grip 112, and two prop legs 12. The conversion mechanism 2 includes a collar sleeve 22, a carrier 21, two keyways 33, and two bracing bars 23.</p>
<p id="p0007" num="0007">The stick shank 11 extends in a lengthwise direction (X) to terminate at opposite grip and foot ends 113, 114. The grip 112 is connected to the grip end 113.</p>
<p id="p0008" num="0008">The collar sleeve 22 is sleeved on the stick shank 11 and is movable between distal and proximate positions, relative to the grip end 113.</p>
<p id="p0009" num="0009">The carrier 21 is slidable on the stick shank 11, and is movable between an upper position, where the collar sleeve 22 is moved to the proximate position, and a lower position, where the collar sleeve 22 is moved to the distal position. Alternatively, the carrier 21 is securely mounted on and is not slidable relative to the stick shank 11 as shown in <figref idref="f0015">Fig. 15</figref>.</p>
<p id="p0010" num="0010">The seat unit 3 includes a middle portion 31 and left and right wing portions 32. The middle portion 31 extends in a longitudinal direction (L) to terminate at a forward edge 312 and a rearward edge 311 which is pivotally connected to the collar sleeve 22. Each of the left and right wing portions 32 is hinged to the middle portion 31 along a hinge line 313, and is juxtaposed with the middle portion 31 along the respective hinge line 313. When the collar sleeve 22 is displaced from the<!-- EPO <DP n="5"> --> distal position to the proximate position, the seat unit 3 is convertible from a use state, where the middle portion 31 is coplanar with the left and right wing portions 32 (as best shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figs. 1</figref>, <figref idref="f0005">5</figref> and <figref idref="f0006">6</figref>), to a collapsed state, where the middle portion 31 is at an included angle with each of the left and right wing portions 32 (as best shown in <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 2</figref> and <figref idref="f0004">4</figref>).</p>
<p id="p0011" num="0011">Each of the keyways 33 is disposed on an under surface of a corresponding one of the left and right wing portions 32, and extends along the longitudinal direction (L) to terminate at front and rear keyway ends 331, 332. The front keyway end 331 is disposed remote from the respective hinged line 313, and the rear keyway end 332 is disposed close to the respective hinged line 313 so as to facilitate conversion of the seat unit 3 from the use state to the collapsed state.</p>
<p id="p0012" num="0012">Each of the bracing bars 23 has a pivot end 231 pivotally connected to the carrier 21, and a key end 232 configured to be slidably engaged with a corresponding one of the keyways 33 such that when the key end 232 slides from the respective front keyway end 331 to the respective rear keyway end 332, the seat unit 3 is transformed from the use state to the collapsed state.</p>
<p id="p0013" num="0013">Each of the prop legs 12 has a bottom end 124 for standing on the ground, and a pivoted end 125 pivotally connected to the carrier 21. The prop legs 12 are convertible between a straddling position (<figref idref="f0001">Figs. 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0006">6</figref>), where the bottom ends 124 of the prop legs 12 are remote from the stick shank 11, and an upheld position (<figref idref="f0002">Figs. 2</figref> and <figref idref="f0004">4</figref>), where the bottom ends 124 are close to the stick shank 11. When the collar sleeve 22 is displaced from the distal position to the proximate position, the prop legs 12 are permitted to move from the straddling position to the upheld position.</p>
<p id="p0014" num="0014">With reference to <figref idref="f0001">Figs. 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0006">6</figref>, when the walking stick is used as a chair, i.e., when the seat unit 3 is in the use state, the bracing bars 23 and the prop legs 12 are opposite to each other relative to the stick shank 11.</p>
<p id="p0015" num="0015">In this embodiment, each of the prop legs 12 includes upper and lower segments 121, 122 which are linked to each other. The upper segment 121 has the respective pivoted end 125, and the lower segment 122 has the respective bottom<!-- EPO <DP n="6"> --> end 124. When the prop legs 12 are in the straddling position, the upper and lower segments 121, 122 are in an unfolded state, and when the prop legs 12 are in the upheld position, the upper and lower segments 121, 122 are in a folded state.</p>
<p id="p0016" num="0016">The first and second retaining members 13, 14 are respectively disposed to prevent the collar sleeve 22 and the carrier 21 from moving toward the foot end 114 and to retain the collar sleeve 22 and the carrier 21 at the distal and lower positions, respectively. Preferably, the carrier 21 can abut with the second retaining member 14 directly to hold the carrier at a lower position. Alternatively, with reference to <figref idref="f0018">Fig. 18</figref>, an abutting rod 216 is mounted on and protruding from the carrier 21 to abut with the second retaining member 14 to reduce the pressure applied to the carrier 21 and to having a capability of spreading the pressure applied onto the carrier 21.</p>
<p id="p0017" num="0017">Preferably, the walking stick further includes a third retaining member 28 which is disposed to prevent the collar sleeve 22 from moving toward the foot end 114 and to permit the collar sleeve 22 to be retained at the proximate position.</p>
<p id="p0018" num="0018">With reference to <figref idref="f0001">Figs. 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0006">6</figref>, the walking stick further includes first and second biasing members 27, 26. The first biasing member 27 is disposed to bias the collar sleeve 22 toward the first retaining member 13 by virtue of a first biasing force. The second biasing member 26 is disposed to bias the carrier 21 toward the second retaining member 14 by virtue of a second biasing force. When the collar sleeve 22 is subjected to a manual pulling force and is thereby displaced to a first transit position, where the manual pulling force counteracts the first and second biasing forces and gravity of the carrier 21 and the collar sleeve 22, the seat unit 3 is convertible from the use state to the collapsed state, and such that when the collar sleeve 22 is subsequently displaced to the proximate position and is retained thereat by the third retaining member 28, the carrier 21 is displaced to the upper position.</p>
<p id="p0019" num="0019">The stick shank 11 is formed with a lengthwise-extending groove 111. The first biasing member 27 is disposed in the lengthwise-extending groove 111 and has two ends respectively connected to the collar sleeve 22 and a groove-defining wall at a first position that is located between the first and second retaining members 13, 14.<!-- EPO <DP n="7"> --> The second biasing member 26 is also disposed in the lengthwise-extending groove 111, and has two ends respectively connected to the carrier 21 and the groove-defining wall at a second position that is located between the second retaining member 14 and the foot end 114. In this embodiment, the stick shank 11 is formed with four lengthwise-extending grooves 111 which are angularly displaced apart from each other, and each of which has the first and second biasing members 27, 26.</p>
<p id="p0020" num="0020">When the seat unit 3 is in the use state for sitting as shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>, the collar sleeve 22 is displaced to the distal position, the carrier 21 is displaced to the lower position, the key end 232 of each bracing bar 23 is slid to the respective front keyway end 331, and the prop legs 12 are displaced to the straddling position.</p>
<p id="p0021" num="0021">With further reference to <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 2</figref> and <figref idref="f0004">4</figref>, when the seat unit 3 is in the collapsed state for assisting walking, the collar sleeve 22 is displaced to the proximate position, the carrier 21 is displaced to the upper position, the key end 232 of each bracing bar 23 is slid to the respective rear keyway end 332, and the prop legs 12 are displaced to the upheld position.</p>
<p id="p0022" num="0022">In a preferred embodiment, with reference to <figref idref="f0001">Figs. 1</figref>, <figref idref="f0002">2</figref>, <figref idref="f0016">16</figref> and <figref idref="f0017">17</figref>, the collar sleeve 22 is provided with a locking device 40 selectively locked with the third retaining member 28 to hold the position of the collar sleeve 22 when the collar sleeve 22 is displaced to the proximate position to thereby retain the collar sleeve 22 thereat. Preferably, the third retaining member 28 is an engaging notch defined in the stick shank 11 at a position near the grip end 113. The locking device 40 is rotatably mounted around the stick shank 11 and is connected with the collar sleeve 22. The locking device 40 has an engaging block 42 formed on the locking device 40 and selectively engaging the third retaining member 28. When the collar sleeve is moved to the proximate position, the locking device is rotated to engage the engaging block 42 with the third retaining member 28 so as to hold the position of the collar sleeve 22. To release the collar sleeve 22, it is simply necessary to rotate and unlock the locking device 40.</p>
<p id="p0023" num="0023">With reference to <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>, the walking stick further includes two strut members<!-- EPO <DP n="8"> --> 24 and two linking members 123.</p>
<p id="p0024" num="0024">Each of the strut members 24 has a sleeve-side end 241 pivotally connected to the collar sleeve 22, and a bar-side end 242 pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the bracing bars 23 between the respective pivot end 231 and the respective key end 232 so as to facilitate sliding of the respective key end 232 between the respective front and rear keyway ends 331, 332. Furthermore, a distance between the bar-side end 242 and the respective pivot end 231 is slightly shorter than a distance between the bar-side end 242 and the respective key end 232.</p>
<p id="p0025" num="0025">Each linking member 123 has an upper linking end 126 pivotally connected to the collar sleeve 22, and a lower linking end 127 pivotally connected to the respective pivoted end 125 so as to facilitate displacement of each of the prop legs 12 between the straddling position and the upheld position.</p>
<p id="p0026" num="0026">With reference to <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 2</figref> and <figref idref="f0004">4</figref>, the seat unit 3 is configured such that, when in the collapsed state, the left and right wing portions 32 are disposed angularly about the stick shank 11 and define a gap 30 therebetween. The gap 30 is opposite to the middle portion 31 relative to the stick shank 11, and is configured to accommodate the prop legs 12 therein when the prop legs 12 are displaced to the upheld position. In addition, when the seat unit 3 is converted to the collapsed state, the bracing bars 23 and the strut members 24 are accommodated in a space between the middle portion 31 and the stick shank 11. Hence, when a person uses the walking stick with the seat unit 3 in the collapsed state for assisting walking, he/she is less likely to get hurt by the walking stick.</p>
<p id="p0027" num="0027">In this embodiment, with reference to <figref idref="f0008">Fig. 8</figref>, the middle portion 31 extends to terminate at left and right margins 314 (only one is shown) that are adjacent to the left and right wing portions 32 and that are rounded. Each of the left and right wing portions 32 extends to terminate at a connection margin 321 (only one is shown) that is rounded. When a user is going to seat on the seat unit 3 to make the seat unit 3 to be fully transformed into the use state, his/her clothes is less likely to be clamped by a slit among the middle portion 31 and the left and right wing portions 32.<!-- EPO <DP n="9"> --></p>
<p id="p0028" num="0028">In addition, with reference to <figref idref="f0008">Figs. 8</figref>, <figref idref="f0010">10</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">11</figref>, the chair-convertible walking stick further includes two key assemblies 25, each of which includes an engageable key unit 251 and a pivotable key unit 252. The engageable key unit 251 is configured to be slidably and rotatably engaged with the corresponding one of the keyways 33. The pivotable key unit 252 is configured to be pivotally connected to the engageable key unit 251 about a pivot axis, and is pivotally connect to the key end 232 of the corresponding one of the bracing bars 23. The pivot axis is surrounded by a curved arrow 259 shown in <figref idref="f0010">Fig. 10</figref>.</p>
<p id="p0029" num="0029">The engageable key unit 251 includes a key stem 253, a key seat 254, and a key head 256. The key seat 254 is formed with an insertion hole 255. The key stem 253 extends in a lengthwise axis (A) to terminate at a connection end 257 and a free end 258, and is configured to be inserted in the insertion hole 255 so as to permit the key seat 254 to rotate about the lengthwise axis (A) which is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The key head 256 is connected to the connected end 257 of the key stem 253 and is slidably engaged with the corresponding one of the keyways 33.</p>
<p id="p0030" num="0030">With further reference to <figref idref="f0001">Figs. 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0009">9</figref>, in this preferred embodiment, the carrier 21 includes a hub body 210 having an inner tubular surface 212 slidably engaged with the stick shank 11, and an outer anchoring surface 213 which is opposite to the inner tubular surface 212 in radial directions, and which is configured to permit the bracing bars 23 and the prop legs 12 to be pivotally connected thereto. In this embodiment, the second retaining member 14 has a dimension larger than that of the first retaining member 13. The inner tubular surface 212 is configured to have a groove region 214 for passage of the first retaining member 13 therethrough and a raised region 211 that abuts against the second retaining member 14 when the carrier 21 is displaced to the lower position.</p>
<p id="p0031" num="0031"><figref idref="f0012">Fig. 12</figref> illustrates a chair-convertible walking stick according to a second preferred embodiment of this invention. The second preferred embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, in the second preferred embodiment, the first and second biasing members 27, 26 are omitted. In the second preferred embodiment, the chair-convertible walking stick further includes a fourth retaining member 15<!-- EPO <DP n="10"> --> and a third biasing member 29. The fourth retaining member 15 is disposed to retain the carrier 21 at the upper position. The third biasing member 29 is disposed to bias the collar sleeve 22 toward the carrier 21 by a third biasing force. When the collar sleeve 22 is subjected to a manual pulling force to be thereby displaced to a second transit position, where the manual pulling force counteracts the third biasing force and gravity of the carrier 21 and the collar sleeve 22, the carrier 21 is displaced to the upper position and retained thereat by the fourth retaining member 15. When the collar sleeve 22 is subsequently displaced to the proximate position and to be retained by the third retaining member 28, the seat unit 3 is converted from the use state to the collapsed state.</p>
<p id="p0032" num="0032">In the second embodiment, the third biasing member 29 is disposed to be connected between the collar sleeve 22 and the carrier 21 so as to bias the collar sleeve 22 toward the carrier 21.</p>
<p id="p0033" num="0033"><figref idref="f0013">Fig. 13</figref> is a cross-sectional view of a third preferred embodiment of a chair-convertible walking stick according to of this invention. In the third embodiment, the engageable key unit 251 further includes a fourth biasing member 250, and the key head 256 is displaceable between a first key position and a second key position. The fourth biasing member 250 is sleeved on the key stem 253 and is disposed between the key seat 254 and said key head 256 to bias the key head 256 to the first key position. Thus, by virtue of the biasing action of the fourth biasing member 250 which urges the key head 256 to abut against the corresponding one of the keyways 33, when the seat unit 3 is converted to the collapsed state, undesired wobbling movement of the key head 256 of each of the key assemblies 25 relative to the corresponding one of the keyways 33 can be prevented.</p>
<p id="p0034" num="0034"><figref idref="f0014">Fig. 14</figref> illustrates a portion of a fourth embodiment of a chair-convertible walking stick of this invention. In this preferred embodiment, the walking stick further includes a fifth biasing member 35.</p>
<p id="p0035" num="0035">The fifth biasing member 35 is disposed adjacent to the rearward edge 311 of the middle portion 31 of the seat unit 3 to bias the seat unit 3 from the collapsed state to the use state.<!-- EPO <DP n="11"> --></p>
<p id="p0036" num="0036">While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements as defined by the claims.</p>
</description>
<claims id="claims01" lang="en"><!-- EPO <DP n="12"> -->
<claim id="c-en-01-0001" num="0001">
<claim-text>A chair-convertible walking stick comprising:
<claim-text>a stick shank (11) extending in a lengthwise direction (X) to terminate at a grip end (113) and a foot end (114);</claim-text>
<claim-text>a collar sleeve (22) sleeved on said stick shank (11) and movable between distal and proximate positions relative to said grip end (113);</claim-text>
<claim-text>a carrier (21) mounted on said stick shank (11);</claim-text>
<claim-text>a seat unit (3) including,</claim-text>
<claim-text>a middle portion (31) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) to terminate at a forward edge (312) and a rearward edge (311) which is pivotally connected to said collar sleeve (22), and</claim-text>
<claim-text>left and right wing portions (32) each being juxtaposed with said middle portion (31) along a hinge line (313), and each being hinged to said middle portion (31) at the respective hinge line (313) such that when said collar sleeve (22) is displaced from the distal position to the proximate position, said seat unit (3) is convertible from a use state, where said middle portion (31) is coplanar with said left and right wing portions (32), to a collapsed state, where said middle portion (31) is at an included angle with each of said left and right wing portions (32);</claim-text>
<claim-text>two keyways (33) each being disposed on an under surface of a corresponding one of said left and right wing portions (32), and each extending along the longitudinal direction (L) to terminate at front and rear keyway ends(331,332);</claim-text>
<claim-text>two bracing bars (23) each having a pivot end (231) pivotally<!-- EPO <DP n="13"> --> connected to said carrier (21), and a key end (232) configured to be slidably engaged with a corresponding one of said keyways (33)such that when said key end (232) slides from said front keyway end (331) of a respective one of said keyways (33) to said rear keyway end (332) of the respective one of said keyways (33), said seat unit (3) is converted from the use state to the collapsed state; and</claim-text>
<claim-text>two prop legs (12) each extending to terminate at a bottom end (124) for standing on the ground, and a pivoted end (125) pivotally connected to said carrier (21), said two prop legs (12) being convertible between a straddling position, where said bottom ends (124) of said prop legs (12) are remote from said stick shank (11), and an upheld position, where said bottom ends (124) are close to said stick shank (11) such that when said collar sleeve (22) is displaced from the distal position to the proximate position, said prop legs (12) are permitted to move from the straddling position to the upheld position, wherein the chair-convertible walking stick is <b>characterized in that</b></claim-text>
<claim-text>said front keyway end (331) is disposed remote from the respective hinged line (313), and said rear keyway end (332) is disposed close to the respective hinged line (313) so as to facilitate conversion of said seat unit (3) from the use state to the collapsed state.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0002" num="0002">
<claim-text>The chair-convertible walking stick as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier (21) is configured to be slidable on said stick shank (11) and is movable between upper and lower positions.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0003" num="0003">
<claim-text>The chair-convertible walking stick as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier (21) is securely mounted on said stick shank (11).<!-- EPO <DP n="14"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0004" num="0004">
<claim-text>The chair-convertible walking stick as claimed in claim 1 or 2 further comprising two strut members (24) each having a sleeve-side end (241) pivotally connected to said collar sleeve (22), and a bar-side end (242) pivotally connected to a corresponding one of said bracing bars (23) between said pivot end (231) and said key end (232) of the corresponding one of said bracing bars (23) so as to facilitate sliding of said key end (232) between said front and rear keyway ends (331,332) of the respective one of said keyways (33).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0005" num="0005">
<claim-text>The chair-convertible walking stick as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a second retaining member (14) disposed to prevent said carrier (21) from moving toward said foot end (114) and to permit carrier (21) to be retained at the lower position.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0006" num="0006">
<claim-text>The chair-convertible walking stick as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising two key assemblies (25) each of which includes<br/>
an engageable key unit (251) configured to be slidably and rotatably engaged with the corresponding one of said keyways (33), and<br/>
a pivotable key unit (252) which is configured to be pivotally connected to said engageable key unit (251) about a pivot axis, and which is configured to be pivotally connected to said key end (232) of the corresponding one of said bracing bars (23).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0007" num="0007">
<claim-text>The chair-convertible walking stick as claimed in claim 6, wherein said engageable key unit (251) includes:
<claim-text>a key seat (254) formed with an insertion hole (255);</claim-text>
<claim-text>a key stem (253) extending in a lengthwise axis (A) to terminate at a connected end (257) and a free end (258), and<!-- EPO <DP n="15"> --> configured to be inserted in said insertion hole (255) so as to permit said key seat (254) to rotate about the lengthwise axis (A) which is perpendicular to the pivot axis;</claim-text>
<claim-text>a key head (256) connected to said connected end (257) of said key stem (253) and displaceable between a first key position and a second key position; and</claim-text>
<claim-text>a fourth biasing member (250) sleeved on said key stem (253) and disposed between said key seat (254) and said key head (256) to bias said key head (256) to the first key position.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0008" num="0008">
<claim-text>The chair-convertible walking stick as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each of said prop legs (12) includes upper and lower segments (121,122) which are linked to each other, and which respectively have said pivoted end (125) and said bottom end (124), such that when said prop legs (12) are in the straddling position, said upper and lower segments (121,122) are in an unfolded state, and when said prop legs (12) are in the upheld position, said upper and lower segments (121,122) are in a folded state.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0009" num="0009">
<claim-text>The chair-convertible walking stick as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 and 4 to 8, further comprising<br/>
a third biasing member (29) disposed to bias said collar sleeve (22) toward said carrier (21) with a third biasing force, such that when said collar sleeve (22) is subjected to a manual pulling force to be thereby displaced to a second transit position, where the manual pulling force counteracts the third biasing force, said carrier (21) is displaced to the upper position, and such that when said collar sleeve (22) is subsequently displaced to the proximate position and is retained thereat by said third retaining member (29), said seat unit (3) is<!-- EPO <DP n="16"> --> converted from the use state to the collapsed state.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0010" num="0010">
<claim-text>The chair-convertible walking stick as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said seat unit comprises a biasing member (35) disposed adjacent to said rearward edge (311) of said middle portion (31) of said seat unit (3) to bias said seat unit (3) from the collapsed state to the use state.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0011" num="0011">
<claim-text>A seat unit for a chair-convertible walking stick as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
<claim-text>a middle portion (31) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) to terminate at a forward edge (312) and a rearward edge (311) which is pivotally connected to a collar sleeve (22) of the walking stick, and</claim-text>
<claim-text>left and right wing portions (32) each being juxtaposed with said middle portion (31) along a hinge line (313), and each being hinged to said middle portion (31) at the respective hinge line (313) such that said seat unit is convertible from a user state, where said middle portion (31) is coplanar with said left and right wing portions (32), to a collapsed state, where said middle portion is at an included angle with each of said left and right wing portions (32);</claim-text>
<claim-text>two keyways (33) each being disposed on an under surface of a corresponding one of said left and right wing portions (32), and each extending along the longitudinal direction (L) to terminate at front and rear keyway ends (331,332); and</claim-text>
<claim-text>two bracing bars (23) each having a pivot end (231) connected to said carrier (21), and a key end (232) configured to be slidably engaged with a corresponding one of said keyways (33) such that when said key end (232) slides from said front keyway end (331) of a respective one of said keyways (33) to said rear keyway end (332)<!-- EPO <DP n="17"> --> of the respective one of said keyways (33), said seat unit (3) is converted from the use state to the collapsed state, wherein the seat unit is <b>characterized in that</b> the seat unit further comprises</claim-text>
<claim-text>two strut members (24) each having a bar-side end (242) pivotally connected to a corresponding one of said bracing bars (23) between said pivot end (231) and said key end (232) of the corresponding one of said bracing bars (23) so as to facilitate sliding of said key end (232) between said front and rear keyway ends (331,332) of the respective one of said keyways (33).</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0012" num="0012">
<claim-text>The seat unit as claimed in claim 11, further comprising two key assemblies (25) each of which includes<br/>
an engageable key unit (251) configured to be slidably and rotatably engaged with the corresponding one of said keyways (33), and<br/>
a pivotable key unit (252) which is configured to be pivotally connected to said engageable key unit (251) about a pivot axis, and which is configured to be pivotally connected to said key end (232) of the corresponding one of said bracing bars (23).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0013" num="0013">
<claim-text>The seat unit as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein said seat unit comprises a biasing member (35) disposed adjacent to said rearward edge (311) of said middle portion (31) of said seat unit (3) to bias said seat unit (3) from the collapsed state to the use state.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0014" num="0014">
<claim-text>The seat unit as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein said engageable key unit (251) includes:
<claim-text>a key seat (254) formed with an insertion hole (255);</claim-text>
<claim-text>a key stem (253) extending in a lengthwise axis (A) to terminate at a connected end (257) and a free end (258), and<!-- EPO <DP n="18"> --> configured to be inserted in said insertion hole (255) so as to permit said key seat (254) to rotate about the lengthwise axis (A) which is perpendicular to the pivot axis;</claim-text>
<claim-text>a key head (256) connected to said connected end (257) of said key stem (253) and displaceable between a first key position and a second key position; and</claim-text>
<claim-text>a biasing member (250) sleeved on said key stem (253) and disposed between said key seat (254) and said key head (256) to bias said key head (256) to the first key position.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
</claims>
<claims id="claims02" lang="de"><!-- EPO <DP n="19"> -->
<claim id="c-de-01-0001" num="0001">
<claim-text>In einen Stuhl verwandelbarer Gehstock, der umfasst:
<claim-text>einen Stockschaft (11), der in einer Längsrichtung (X) verläuft, um bei einem Griffende (113) und bei einem Fußende (114) zu enden;</claim-text>
<claim-text>eine Bundhülse (22), die auf den genannten Stockschaft (11) gesteckt ist und zwischen einer distalen und einer proximalen Stellung in Bezug auf das genannte Griffende (113) beweglich ist;</claim-text>
<claim-text>einen Träger (21), der an dem genannten Stockschaft (11) angebracht ist;</claim-text>
<claim-text>eine Sitzeinheit (3), die Folgendes enthält:
<claim-text>einen mittleren Abschnitt (31), der in einer Längsrichtung (L) verläuft, um bei einem vorderen Rand (312) und bei einem hinteren Rand (311), der mit der genannten Bundhülse (22) schwenkfähig verbunden ist, zu enden, und</claim-text>
<claim-text>einen linken und einen rechten Flügelabschnitt (32), die jeweils entlang einer Scharnierlinie (313) neben dem genannten mittleren Abschnitt (31) liegen und die jeweils bei der jeweiligen Scharnierlinie (313) in der Weise an dem genannten mittleren Abschnitt (31) angelenkt sind, dass die genannte Sitzeinheit (3) aus einem Verwendungszustand, wo der genannte mittlere Abschnitt (31) mit dem genannten linken und mit dem genannten rechten Flügelabschnitt (32) koplanar ist, in einen zusammengeklappten Zustand, wo der genannte mittlere Abschnitt (31) sowohl mit dem genannten linken als auch mit dem genannten rechten Flügelabschnitt (32) unter einem eingeschlossenen Winkel ist, umgewandelt werden kann, wenn die genannte Bundhülse (22) aus der distalen Stellung in die proximale Stellung verlagert wird;</claim-text>
<claim-text>zwei Keilnuten (33), die jeweils auf einer unteren Oberfläche eines entsprechenden einen des genannten linken und des genannten rechten Flügelabschnitts (32) angeordnet sind und die jeweils entlang der Längsrichtung (L) verlaufen, um bei dem vorderen und bei dem hinteren Keilnutende (331, 332) zu enden;</claim-text>
<claim-text>zwei Abspreizstäbe (23), die jeweils ein Schwenkende (231), das mit dem genannten Träger (21) schwenkfähig verbunden ist, und ein Keilende (232), das dafür konfiguriert ist, mit einer entsprechenden einen der genannten Keilnuten (33) in der Weise gleitfähig in Eingriff zu sein, dass die genannte Sitzeinheit (3) aus dem Verwendungszustand in den zusammengeklappten Zustand umgewandelt wird, wenn das genannte Keilende (232) von dem genannten vorderen Keilnutende (331) einer Jeweiligen einen der genannten Keilnuten (33) zu dem hinteren Keilnutende (332) der Jeweiligen einen der genannten Keilnuten (33)<!-- EPO <DP n="20"> --> gleitet, aufweisen; und</claim-text>
<claim-text>zwei Stützbeine (12), die jeweils so verlaufen, dass sie bei einem unteren Ende (124), um auf dem Boden zu stehen, und bei einem angelenkten Ende (125), das mit dem genannten Träger (21) schwenkfähig verbunden ist, enden, wobei die genannten zwei Stützbeine (12) zwischen einer Spreizstellung, in der die genannten unteren Enden (124) der genannten Stützbeine (12) von dem genannten Stockschaft (11) fern sind, und einer gestützten Stellung, in der die genannten unteren Enden (124) dem genannten Stockschaft (11) nah sind, umgewandelt werden können, so dass sich die genannten Stützbeine (12) aus der Spreizstellung in die gestützte Stellung bewegen können, wenn die genannte Bundhülse (22) aus der distalen Stellung in die proximale Stellung verlagert wird, wobei der in einen Stuhl umwandelbare Gehstock <b>dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass</b></claim-text>
<claim-text>das genannte vordere Keilnutende (331) fern von der jeweiligen angelenkten Linie (313) angeordnet ist und das genannte hintere Keilnutende (332) nahe der jeweiligen angelenkten Linie (313) angeordnet ist, um die Umwandlung der genannten Sitzeinheit (3) aus dem Verwendungszustand in den zusammengeklappten Zustand zu erleichtern.</claim-text></claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0002" num="0002">
<claim-text>In einen Stuhl umwandelbarer Gehstock gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei der Träger (21) dafür konfiguriert ist, an dem genannten Stockschaft (11) gleitfähig zu sein, und zwischen der oberen und der unteren Stellung beweglich ist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0003" num="0003">
<claim-text>In einen Stuhl umwandelbarer Gehstock gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei der Träger (21) an dem genannten Stockschaft (11) fest angebracht ist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0004" num="0004">
<claim-text>In einen Stuhl umwandelbarer Gehstock gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, der ferner zwei Strebenelemente (24) umfasst, die jeweils ein hülsenseitiges Ende (241), das mit der genannten Bundhülse (22) schwenkfähig verbunden ist, und ein stabseitiges Ende (242), das zwischen dem genannten Schwenkende (231) und dem genannten Keilende (232) des entsprechenden einen der genannten Abspreizstäbe (23) in der Weise mit einem entsprechenden einen der genannten Abspreizstäbe (23) schwenkfähig verbunden ist, dass das Gleiten des genannten Keilendes (232) zwischen dem genannten vorderen und dem genannten hinteren Keilnutende (331, 332) der jeweils einen der genannten Keilnuten (33) erleichtert wird, aufweisen.<!-- EPO <DP n="21"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0005" num="0005">
<claim-text>In einen Stuhl umwandelbarer Gehstock gemäß Anspruch 4, der ferner ein zweites Halteelement (14) umfasst, das so angeordnet ist, dass es verhindert, dass sich der genannte Träger (21) in Richtung des genannten Fußendes (114) bewegt, und um zu ermöglichen, dass der Träger (21) in der unteren Stellung gehalten wird.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0006" num="0006">
<claim-text>In einen Stuhl umwandelbarer Gehstock gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, der ferner zwei Keilanordnungen (25) umfasst, von denen jede Folgendes enthält:
<claim-text>eine eingriffsfähige Keileinheit (251), die dafür konfiguriert ist, mit der entsprechenden einen der genannten Keilnuten (33) gleitfähig und drehbar in Eingriff zu sein, und</claim-text>
<claim-text>eine schwenkfähige Keileinheit (252), die dafür konfiguriert ist, mit der genannten eingriffsfähigen Keileinheit (251) um eine Schwenkachse schwenkfähig verbunden zu sein, und die dafür konfiguriert ist, mit dem genannten Keilende (232) des entsprechenden einen der genannten Abspreizstäbe (23) schwenkfähig verbunden zu sein.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0007" num="0007">
<claim-text>In einen Stuhl umwandelbarer Gehstock gemäß Anspruch 6, wobei die genannte eingriffsfähige Keileinheit (251) enthält:
<claim-text>einen Keilsitz (254), der mit einem Einführungsloch (255) gebildet ist;</claim-text>
<claim-text>einen Keilstiel (253), der in einer Längsachse (A) verläuft, um bei einem verbundenen Ende (257) und bei einem freien Ende (258) zu enden, und der dafür konfiguriert ist, in das genannte Einführungsloch (255) eingeführt zu werden, um zu ermöglichen, dass sich der genannte Keilsitz (254) um die Längsachse (A), die senkrecht zu der Schwenkachse ist, dreht;</claim-text>
<claim-text>einen Keilkopf (256), der mit dem genannten verbundenen Ende (257) des genannten Keilstiels (253) verbunden ist und zwischen einer ersten Keilstellung und einer zweiten Keilstellung verlagert werden kann; und</claim-text>
<claim-text>ein viertes Vorbelastungselement (250), das auf das genannte Keilsystem (253) gesteckt ist und zwischen dem genannten Keilsitz (254) und dem genannten Keilkopf (256) angeordnet ist, um den genannten Keilkopf (256) in die erste Keilstellung vorzubelasten.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0008" num="0008">
<claim-text>In einen Stuhl umwandelbarer Gehstock gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei jedes der genannten Stützbeine (12) ein oberes und ein unteres Segment (121, 122) enthält, die miteinander verbunden sind und die jeweils das genannte<!-- EPO <DP n="22"> --> angelenkte Ende (125) und das genannte untere Ende (124) aufweisen, so dass das genannte obere und das genannte untere Segment (121, 122) in einem aufgeklappten Zustand sind, wenn die genannten Stützbeine (12) in der Spreizstellung sind, und so dass das genannte obere und das genannte untere Segment (121, 122) in einem zusammengeklappten Zustand sind, wenn die genannten Stützbeine (12) in der gestützten Stellung sind.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0009" num="0009">
<claim-text>In einen Stuhl umwandelbarer Gehstock gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1, 2 und 4 bis 8, der ferner umfasst:
<claim-text>ein drittes Vorbelastungselement (29), das dafür angeordnet ist, die genannte Bundhülse (22) mit einer dritten Vorbelastungskraft in Richtung des genannten Trägers (21) vorzubelasten, so dass der genannte Träger (21) in die obere Stellung verlagert wird, wenn die genannte Bundhülse (22) einer manuellen Zugkraft ausgesetzt wird, um dadurch in eine zweite Durchgangsstellung verlagert zu werden, wobei die manuelle Zugkraft der dritten Vorbelastungskraft entgegen wirkt, und so dass die genannte Sitzeinheit (3) aus dem Verwendungszustand in den zusammengeklappten Zustand umgewandelt wird, wenn die genannte Bundhülse (22) nachfolgend in die proximale Stellung verlagert wird und dort durch das genannte dritte Halteelement (29) gehalten wird.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0010" num="0010">
<claim-text>In einen Stuhl verwandelbarer Gehstock gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, wobei die genannte Sitzeinheit ein Vorbelastungselement (35) umfasst, das angrenzend an den genannten hinteren Rand (311) des genannten mittleren Abschnitts (31) der genannten Sitzeinheit (3) angeordnet ist, um die genannte Sitzeinheit (3) aus dem zusammengeklappten Zustand in den Verwendungszustand vorzubelasten.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0011" num="0011">
<claim-text>Sitzeinheit für einen in einen Stuhl verwandelbaren Gehstock gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Sitzeinheit umfasst:
<claim-text>einen mittleren Abschnitt (31), der in einer Längsrichtung (L) verläuft, um bei einem vorderen Rand (312) und bei einem hinteren Rand (311), der mit einer Bundhülse (22) des Gehstocks schwenkfähig verbunden ist, zu enden, und</claim-text>
<claim-text>einen linken und einen rechten Flügelabschnitt (32), die jeweils entlang einer Scharnierlinie (313) neben dem genannten mittleren Abschnitt (31) liegen und die jeweils bei der jeweiligen Scharnierlinie (313) in der Weise an dem genannten mittleren Abschnitt (31) angelenkt sind, dass die genannte Sitzeinheit (3) aus einem Verwendungszustand, wo der genannte mittlere Abschnitt (31) mit dem<!-- EPO <DP n="23"> --> genannten linken und mit dem genannten rechten Flügelabschnitt (32) koplanar ist, in einen zusammengeklappten Zustand, wo der genannte mittlere Abschnitt sowohl mit dem genannten linken als auch mit dem genannten rechten Flügelabschnitt (32) unter einem eingeschlossenen Winkel ist, umgewandelt werden kann;</claim-text>
<claim-text>zwei Keilnuten (33), die jeweils auf einer unteren Oberfläche eines entsprechenden einen des genannten linken und des genannten rechten Flügelabschnitts (32) angeordnet sind und die jeweils entlang der Längsrichtung (L) verlaufen, um bei einem vorderen und bei einem hinteren Keilnutende (331, 332) zu enden;</claim-text>
<claim-text>zwei Abspreizstäbe (23), die jeweils ein Schwenkende (231), das mit dem genannten Träger (21) verbunden ist, und ein Keilende (232), das dafür konfiguriert ist, mit einer entsprechenden einen der genannten Keilnuten (33) in der Weise gleitfähig in Eingriff zu sein, dass die genannte Sitzeinheit (3) aus dem Verwendungszustand in den zusammengeklappten Zustand umgewandelt wird, wenn das genannte Keilende (232) von dem genannten vorderen Keilnutende (331) einer Jeweiligen einen der genannten Keilnuten (33) zu dem hinteren Keilnutende (332) der Jeweiligen einen der genannten Keilnuten (33) gleitet, aufweisen, wobei die Sitzeinheit <b>dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass</b> die Sitzeinheit ferner umfasst:
<claim-text>zwei Strebenelemente (24), die jeweils ein stabseitiges Ende (242), das zwischen dem genannten Schwenkende (231) und dem genannten Keilende (232) des entsprechenden einen der genannten Abspreizstäbe (23) in der Weise mit einem entsprechenden einen der genannten Abspreizstäbe (23) schwenkfähig verbunden ist, dass das Gleiten des genannten Keilendes (232) zwischen dem genannten vorderen und dem genannten hinteren Keilnutende (331, 332) der jeweils einen der genannten Keilnuten (33) erleichtert wird, aufweisen.</claim-text></claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0012" num="0012">
<claim-text>Sitzeinheit gemäß Anspruch 11, die ferner zwei Keilanordnungen (25) umfasst, von denen jede Folgendes enthält:
<claim-text>eine eingriffsfähige Keileinheit (251), die dafür konfiguriert ist, mit der entsprechenden einen der genannten Keilnuten (33) gleitfähig und drehbar in Eingriff zu sein, und</claim-text>
<claim-text>eine schwenkfähige Keileinheit (252), die dafür konfiguriert ist, mit der genannten eingriffsfähigen Keileinheit (251) um eine Schwenkachse schwenkfähig verbunden zu sein, und die dafür konfiguriert ist, mit dem genannten Keilende (232) des entsprechenden einen der genannten Abspreizstäbe (23) schwenkfähig verbunden zu sein.</claim-text><!-- EPO <DP n="24"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0013" num="0013">
<claim-text>Sitzeinheit gemäß Anspruch 11 oder 12, wobei die genannte Sitzeinheit ein Vorbelastungselement (35) umfasst, das angrenzend an den genannten hinteren Rand (311) des genannten mittleren Abschnitts (31) der genannten Sitzeinheit (3) angeordnet ist, um die genannte Sitzeinheit (3) aus dem zusammengeklappten Zustand in den Verwendungszustand vorzubelasten.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0014" num="0014">
<claim-text>Sitzeinheit gemäß einem der Ansprüche 12 oder 13, wobei die genannte eingriffsfähige Keileinheit (251) enthält:
<claim-text>einen Keilsitz (254), der mit einem Einführungsloch (255) gebildet ist;</claim-text>
<claim-text>einen Keilstiel (253), der in einer Längsachse (A) verläuft, um bei einem verbundenen Ende (257) und bei einem freien Ende (258) zu enden, und der dafür konfiguriert ist, in das genannte Einführungsloch (255) eingeführt zu werden, um zu ermöglichen, dass sich der genannte Keilsitz (254) um die Längsachse (A), die senkrecht zu der Schwenkachse ist, dreht;</claim-text>
<claim-text>einen Keilkopf (256), der mit dem genannten verbundenen Ende (257) des genannten Keilstiels (253) verbunden ist und zwischen einer ersten Keilstellung und einer zweiten Keilstellung verlagert werden kann; und</claim-text>
<claim-text>ein Vorbelastungselement (250), das auf das genannte Keilsystem (253) gesteckt ist und zwischen dem genannten Keilsitz (254) und dem genannten Keilkopf (256) angeordnet ist, um den genannten Keilkopf (256) in die erste Keilstellung vorzubelasten.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
</claims>
<claims id="claims03" lang="fr"><!-- EPO <DP n="25"> -->
<claim id="c-fr-01-0001" num="0001">
<claim-text>Bâton de marche convertible en siège comprenant :
<claim-text>une tige de bâton (11) s'étendant dans une direction longitudinale (X) pour se terminer au niveau d'une extrémité de poignée (113) et d'une extrémité de pied (114) ;</claim-text>
<claim-text>un manchon formant collier (22) emmanché sur ladite tige de bâton (11) et mobile entre des positions distale et proximale par rapport à ladite extrémité de poignée (113) ;</claim-text>
<claim-text>un support (21) monté sur ladite tige de bâton (11) ;</claim-text>
<claim-text>une unité de siège (3) comprenant</claim-text>
<claim-text>une portion centrale (31) s'étendant dans une direction longitudinale (L) pour se terminer au niveau d'un bord avant (312) et d'un bord arrière (311) qui est connecté de manière pivotante audit manchon formant collier (22), et</claim-text>
<claim-text>des portions d'aile gauche et droite (32), chacune étant juxtaposée à ladite portion centrale (31) le long d'une ligne de charnière (313) et chacune étant articulée à ladite portion centrale (31) au niveau de la ligne de charnière respective (313) de manière que, quand ledit manchon formant collier (22) est déplacé de la position distale à la position proximale, ladite unité de siège (3) soit convertible d'un état d'utilisation, dans lequel ladite portion centrale (31) est coplanaire avec lesdites portions d'aile gauche et droite (32), à un état affaissé, dans lequel ladite portion centrale (31) forme un angle inclus avec chacune desdites portions d'aile gauche et droite (32) ;</claim-text>
<claim-text>deux rainures (33) étant disposées chacune sur une surface inférieure d'une correspondante desdites portions d'aile gauche et droite (32), et d'étendant chacune suivant la direction longitudinale (L) pour se terminer au niveau d'extrémités de rainure avant et arrière (331, 332).</claim-text>
<claim-text>deux barres de renforcement (23) ayant chacune une extrémité de pivot (231) connectée de manière pivotante audit support (21) et une extrémité formant clavette (232) configurée pour être engagée de manière coulissante avec une correspondante desdites rainures (33) de manière que, quand ladite extrémité formant clavette (232) coulisse de ladite extrémité de rainure avant (331) de l'une respective desdites rainures (33) à ladite extrémité de rainure arrière (332) de<!-- EPO <DP n="26"> --> l'une respective desdites rainures (33), ladite unité de siège (3) est convertie de l'état d'utilisation à l'état affaissé ; et</claim-text>
<claim-text>deux pattes de soutien (12) s'étendant chacune pour se terminer à une extrémité inférieure (124) pour s'appuyer sur le sol et une extrémité articulée (125) connectée de manière pivotante audit support (21), lesdites deux pattes de soutien (12) étant convertibles entre une position de chevauchement, dans laquelle lesdites extrémités inférieures (124) desdites pattes de soutien (12) sont éloignées de ladite tige de bâton (11), et une position soutenue, dans laquelle lesdites extrémités inférieures (124) sont proches de ladite tige de bâton (11) de manière que ledit manchon formant collier (22) soit déplacé de la position distale à la position proximale, lesdites pattes de soutien (12) étant autorisées à se déplacer de la position de chevauchement à la position soutenue, dans lequel le bâton de marche convertible en siège est <b>caractérisé en ce que</b> ladite extrémité de rainure avant (331) est disposée éloignée de la ligne de charnière respective (313) et ladite extrémité de rainure arrière (332) est disposée proche de la ligne de charnière respective (313) de manière à faciliter la conversion de ladite unité de siège (3) de l'état d'utilisation à l'état affaissé.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0002" num="0002">
<claim-text>Bâton de marche convertible en siège selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le support (21) est configuré pour être coulissant sur ladite tige de bâton (11) et est mobile entre des positions supérieure et inférieure.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0003" num="0003">
<claim-text>Bâton de marche convertible en siège selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le support (21) est monté solidement sur ladite tige de bâton (11).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0004" num="0004">
<claim-text>Bâton de marche convertible en siège selon la revendication 1 ou 2, comprenant en outre deux éléments d'entretoise (24) ayant chacun une extrémité côté manchon (241) connectée de manière pivotante audit manchon formant collier (22) et une extrémité côté barre (242) connectée de manière pivotante à une correspondante desdites barres de renforcement (23) entre ladite extrémité de pivot (231) et ladite extrémité formant clavette (232) de l'une correspondante desdites barres de renforcement (23) de manière à faciliter le coulissement de ladite extrémité formant clavette (232) entre lesdites extrémités de rainure avant et arrière (331, 332) de l'une respective desdites rainures (33).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0005" num="0005">
<claim-text>Bâton de marche convertible en siège selon la revendication 4, comprenant en<!-- EPO <DP n="27"> --> outre un deuxième élément de retenue (14) disposé pour empêcher ledit support (21) de se déplacer vers ladite extrémité de pied (114) et pour permettre au support (21) d'être retenu au niveau de la position inférieure.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0006" num="0006">
<claim-text>Bâton de marche convertible en siège selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, comprenant en outre deux ensembles de clavette (25) chacun desquels comprend<br/>
une unité de clavette engageable (251) configurée pour être engagée de manière coulissante et rotative avec l'une correspondante desdites rainures (33), et<br/>
une unité de clavette pivotante (252) qui est configurée pour être connectée de manière pivotante à ladite unité de clavette engageable (251) autour d'un axe de rotation, et qui est configurée pour être connectée de manière pivotante à ladite extrémité formant clavette (232) de l'une correspondante desdites barres de renforcement (23).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0007" num="0007">
<claim-text>Bâton de marche convertible en siège selon la revendication 6, dans lequel ladite unité de clavette engageable (251) comprend :
<claim-text>un siège de clavette (254) formé avec un trou d'insertion (255) ;</claim-text>
<claim-text>une tige de clavette (253) s'étendant suivant un axe longitudinal (A) pour se terminer par une extrémité connectée (257) et une extrémité libre (258), et configurée pour être insérée dans ledit trou d'insertion (255) de manière à permettre audit siège de clavette (254) de tourner autour de l'axe longitudinal (A) qui est perpendiculaire à l'axe de rotation ;</claim-text>
<claim-text>une tête de clavette (256) connectée à ladite extrémité connectée (257) de ladite tige de clavette (253) et déplaçable entre une première position de clavette et une deuxième position de clavette ; et</claim-text>
<claim-text>un quatrième élément de sollicitation (250) emmanché sur ladite tige de clavette (253) et disposé entre ledit siège de clavette (254) et ladite tête de clavette (256) pour solliciter ladite tête de clavette (256) vers la première position de clavette.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0008" num="0008">
<claim-text>Bâton de marche convertible en siège selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans lequel chacune desdites pattes de soutien (12) comprend des segments supérieur et inférieur (121, 122) qui sont liés l'un à l'autre, et qui ont respectivement ladite extrémité articulée (125) et ladite extrémité inférieure (124), de manière que, quand lesdites pattes de soutien (12) sont dans<!-- EPO <DP n="28"> --> la position de chevauchement, lesdits segments supérieur et inférieur (121, 122) soient dans un état déplié, et, quand lesdites pattes de soutien (12) sont dans la position soutenue, lesdits segments supérieur et inférieur (121, 122) soient dans un état replié.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0009" num="0009">
<claim-text>Bâton de marche convertible en siège selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1, 2 et 4 à 8, comprenant en outre<br/>
un troisième élément de sollicitation (29) disposé pour solliciter ledit manchon formant collier (22) vers ledit support (21) avec une troisième force de sollicitation, de manière que, quand ledit manchon formant collier (22) est soumis à une force de traction manuelle pour être ainsi déplacé vers une deuxième position de transit, où la force de traction manuelle s'oppose à la troisième force de sollicitation, ledit support (21) soit déplacé vers la position supérieure, et de manière que, quand ledit manchon formant collier (22) est successivement troisième élément de retenue (29), ladite unité de siège (3) soit convertie de l'état d'utilisation à l'état affaissé.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0010" num="0010">
<claim-text>Bâton de marche convertible en siège selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, dans lequel ladite unité de siège comprend un élément de sollicitation (35) disposé adjacent audit bord arrière (311) de ladite portion centrale (31) de ladite unité de siège (3) pour solliciter ladite unité de siège (3) de l'état affaissé à l'état d'utilisation.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0011" num="0011">
<claim-text>Unité de siège pour un bâton de marche convertible en siège selon la revendication 1, comprenant :
<claim-text>une portion centrale (31) s'étendant dans une direction longitudinale (L) pour se terminer au niveau d'un bord avant (312) et d'un bord arrière (311) qui est connecté de manière pivotante à un manchon formant collier (22) du bâton de marche, et</claim-text>
<claim-text>des portions d'aile gauche et droite (32), chacune étant juxtaposée à ladite portion centrale (31) le long d'une ligne de charnière (313) et chacune étant articulée à ladite portion centrale (31) au niveau de la ligne de charnière respective (313) de manière que ladite unité de siège soit convertible d'un état d'utilisation, lorsque ladite portion centrale (31) est coplanaire avec lesdites portions d'aile gauche et droite (32), à un état affaissé, dans lequel ladite portion centrale forme un angle<!-- EPO <DP n="29"> --> inclus avec chacune desdites portions d'aile gauche et droite (32) ;</claim-text>
<claim-text>deux rainures (33) étant disposées chacune sur une surface inférieure d'une correspondante desdites portions d'aile gauche et droite (32), et d'étendant chacune suivant la direction longitudinale (L) pour se terminer au niveau d'extrémités de rainure avant et arrière (331, 332) ; et</claim-text>
<claim-text>deux barres de renforcement (23) ayant chacune une extrémité de pivot (231) connectée audit support (21) et une extrémité formant clavette (232) configurée pour être engagée de manière coulissante avec une correspondante desdites rainures (33) de manière que, quand ladite extrémité formant clavette (232) coulisse de ladite extrémité de rainure avant (331) de l'une respective desdites rainures (33) à ladite extrémité de rainure arrière (332) de l'une respective desdites rainures (33), ladite unité de siège (3) est convertie de l'état d'utilisation à l'état affaissé, dans lequel l'unité de siège est <b>caractérisée en ce que</b> l'unité de siège comprend en outre</claim-text>
<claim-text>deux éléments d'entretoise (24) ayant chacun une extrémité côté barre (242) connectée de manière pivotante à une correspondante desdites barres de renforcement (23) entre ladite extrémité de pivot (231) et ladite extrémité formant clavette (232) de l'une correspondante desdites barres de renforcement (23) de manière à faciliter le coulissement de ladite extrémité formant clavette (232) entre lesdites extrémités de rainure avant et arrière (331, 332) de l'une respective desdites rainures (33).</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0012" num="0012">
<claim-text>Unité de siège selon la revendication 11, comprenant en outre deux ensembles de clavette (25) chacun desquels comprend<br/>
une unité de clavette engageable (251) configurée pour être engagée de manière coulissante et rotative avec l'une correspondante desdites rainures (33), et<br/>
une unité de clavette pivotante (252) qui est configurée pour être connectée de manière pivotante à ladite unité de clavette engageable (251) autour d'un axe de rotation, et qui est configurée pour être connectée de manière pivotante à ladite extrémité formant clavette (232) de l'une correspondante desdites barres de renforcement (23).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0013" num="0013">
<claim-text>Unité de siège selon la revendication 11 ou 12, dans laquelle ladite unité de siège comprend un élément de sollicitation (35) disposé adjacent audit bord<!-- EPO <DP n="30"> --> arrière (311) de ladite portion centrale (31) de ladite unité de siège (3) pour solliciter ladite unité de siège (3) de l'état affaissé à l'état d'utilisation.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0014" num="0014">
<claim-text>Unité de siège selon la revendication 12 ou 13, dans laquelle ladite unité de clavette engageable (251) comprend :
<claim-text>un siège de clavette (254) formé avec un trou d'insertion (255) ;</claim-text>
<claim-text>une tige de clavette (253) s'étendant suivant un axe longitudinal (A) pour se terminer par une extrémité connectée (257) et une extrémité libre (258), et configurée pour être insérée dans ledit trou d'insertion (255) de manière à permettre audit siège de clavette (254) de tourner autour de l'axe longitudinal (A) qui est perpendiculaire à l'axe de rotation ;</claim-text>
<claim-text>une tête de clavette (256) connectée à ladite extrémité connectée (257) de ladite tige de clavette (253) et déplaçable entre une première position de clavette et une deuxième position de clavette ; et</claim-text>
<claim-text>un élément de sollicitation (250) emmanché sur ladite tige de clavette (253) et disposé entre ledit siège de clavette (254) et ladite tête de clavette (256) pour solliciter ladite tête de clavette (256) vers la première position de clavette.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
</claims>
<drawings id="draw" lang="en"><!-- EPO <DP n="31"> -->
<figure id="f0001" num="1"><img id="if0001" file="imgf0001.tif" wi="151" he="233" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="32"> -->
<figure id="f0002" num="2"><img id="if0002" file="imgf0002.tif" wi="61" he="233" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="33"> -->
<figure id="f0003" num="3"><img id="if0003" file="imgf0003.tif" wi="157" he="231" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="34"> -->
<figure id="f0004" num="4"><img id="if0004" file="imgf0004.tif" wi="61" he="233" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="35"> -->
<figure id="f0005" num="5"><img id="if0005" file="imgf0005.tif" wi="154" he="183" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="36"> -->
<figure id="f0006" num="6"><img id="if0006" file="imgf0006.tif" wi="137" he="233" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="37"> -->
<figure id="f0007" num="7"><img id="if0007" file="imgf0007.tif" wi="99" he="233" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="38"> -->
<figure id="f0008" num="8"><img id="if0008" file="imgf0008.tif" wi="144" he="128" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="39"> -->
<figure id="f0009" num="9"><img id="if0009" file="imgf0009.tif" wi="126" he="135" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="40"> -->
<figure id="f0010" num="10"><img id="if0010" file="imgf0010.tif" wi="134" he="156" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="41"> -->
<figure id="f0011" num="11"><img id="if0011" file="imgf0011.tif" wi="98" he="182" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="42"> -->
<figure id="f0012" num="12"><img id="if0012" file="imgf0012.tif" wi="99" he="233" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="43"> -->
<figure id="f0013" num="13"><img id="if0013" file="imgf0013.tif" wi="137" he="156" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="44"> -->
<figure id="f0014" num="14"><img id="if0014" file="imgf0014.tif" wi="153" he="196" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="45"> -->
<figure id="f0015" num="15"><img id="if0015" file="imgf0015.tif" wi="51" he="233" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="46"> -->
<figure id="f0016" num="16"><img id="if0016" file="imgf0016.tif" wi="135" he="217" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="47"> -->
<figure id="f0017" num="17"><img id="if0017" file="imgf0017.tif" wi="117" he="167" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="48"> -->
<figure id="f0018" num="18"><img id="if0018" file="imgf0018.tif" wi="144" he="233" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure>
</drawings>
<ep-reference-list id="ref-list">
<heading id="ref-h0001"><b>REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION</b></heading>
<p id="ref-p0001" num=""><i>This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.</i></p>
<heading id="ref-h0002"><b>Patent documents cited in the description</b></heading>
<p id="ref-p0002" num="">
<ul id="ref-ul0001" list-style="bullet">
<li><patcit id="ref-pcit0001" dnum="US2380437A"><document-id><country>US</country><doc-number>2380437</doc-number><kind>A</kind></document-id></patcit><crossref idref="pcit0001">[0002]</crossref></li>
<li><patcit id="ref-pcit0002" dnum="US3999565A"><document-id><country>US</country><doc-number>3999565</doc-number><kind>A</kind></document-id></patcit><crossref idref="pcit0002">[0002]</crossref></li>
<li><patcit id="ref-pcit0003" dnum="TW143769B"><document-id><country>TW</country><doc-number>143769</doc-number><kind>B</kind></document-id></patcit><crossref idref="pcit0003">[0002]</crossref></li>
</ul></p>
</ep-reference-list>
</ep-patent-document>
