HOLDER FOR A CRUTCH, A CANE, A TOOL OR THE LIKE

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a holder for an object such as a crutch, a cane, a tool or a similar device comprising a longitudinal handle or support part.
In particular, the present invention relates to a holder for an object such as a crutch, a cane, a tool or similar comprising a body (1) having an upward surface (2) and an opposite downward surface (3) and between the upward and downward surface (2, 3) a sideward surface (4) extends, securing means (5) configured to secure the body (1) to the object (not shown) during use, and flexible fastening means (6) configured to attach the holder to an external surface during use, wherein the flexible fastening means (6) comprises a U- or V-shaped hook comprising at least two legs (13) having an upward closed end and a downward open end.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a holder for an object such as a crutch, a cane, a tool or a similar device comprising a longitudinal handle or support part.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a holder for an object such as a crutch, a cane, a tool or similar which holder is first secured to the object and then used to attach or fasten the object to an external surface during use. The holder comprises a body having an upward surface and an opposite downward surface and between the upward and downward surfaces a sideward one or more surface(s) extends(s), further the holder comprises securing means configured to secure the body to an object in a use situation and flexible fastening means configured to attach the body and therefore the object to an external surface by hanging or supporting.

[0003] A suitable external surface for hanging or supporting the object when secured to the holder may comprise an edge of a counter, table or the like, the backrest of a chair, top of a car door, headboards, fences, shelves, pockets, belts, drawer handles or the like, i.e. both edges of flat surfaces and narrow round or sharp edges of chairs, doors, handles etc.

Background of the invention

[0004] Many different holders for hanging or positioning an object relative to an external surface are known.

[0005] EP 1 777 421 discloses a holder for a crutch, or a walking stick which holder may keep the crutch or the walking stick in a desired position during periods of non-use. The device according to this document comprises a holder 1, comprising a first part 3 being essentially tube-shaped, and a second part 4 also being essentially tube-shaped. The first part 3 is arranged to comprise a longitudinal groove extending along the central axis of the first part 3, and resulting in the formation of two shanks 5, 6. The shanks 5, 6 of the first part 3 are arranged to have a resistive spring force when pulled from each other. The two shanks 5, 6 are arranged to receive a walking stick, a crutch or similar stick 2, such that the stick runs inside of the essentially tube-shaped inner space of the first part 3. The shanks 5, 6 will retain the stick 2 in place in the longitudinal direction of the stick 2 through spring force and friction. The shanks 5, 6 are at the same time arranged such that they can be forced back to the extent being required to remove the stick 2 from the first part 3 i.e. the first part 3 is arranged such that it is possible to remove it and to reattach it to the stick 2. A second essentially tube-shaped part 4 is arranged at the first part 3 and the second part 4 is arranged to lie in a plane being perpendicular to the plane of the first part 3, such that the central axes of the two parts 3, 4 are perpendicular to each other. The second part 4 is arranged, as is the first part 3, to have a longitudinal groove, and this gives rise to two shanks 7, 8 that resist by a spring force when they are separated. By applying an expansive force to the shanks 7, 8 of the second part 4, the user of the holder 1 can separate the shanks 7, 8. When the shanks 7, 8 have been separated in this manner, an object, such as a table-top, a window sill, or similar, can be introduced between the shanks 7, 8, such that the object enters the inner part of the second part 4. The user can subsequently release the expansive force, whereby the shanks 7, 8 again attempt to be reunited through the spring force, and in this manner hold the object in a fixed grip through the spring force and friction. However, expanding the shanks 7, 8 of the second part 4 requires quite some force and normally also the use of two hands.

[0006] Hence, an improved holder which may be attached to an object by less force would be advantageous, and in particular a holder which may be attached to an object using one hand only would be advantageous.

Summary of the invention

[0007] Thus, an object of the present invention relates to a holder for an object which holder may be attached to an external surface by using no force at all to prepare the holder before attaching the holder to the external surface. The holder is simply brought into contact with the external surface on which it is the user's intention to hang the object secured to the holder. The holder can maintain the position of the object whether the external surface is an edge of a table or a shelve, or whether the external surface is back rest of a chair or another narrow part.

[0008] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a holder for an object that solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art making it easier for a user to find support for an object such as a crutch, a cane or a stick in order and prevent the object from falling to the floor.

[0009] Thus, one aspect of the invention relates to a holder for an object such as a crutch, a cane, a tool or similar comprising a body (1) having an upward surface (2) and an opposite downward surface (3) and between the upward and downward surface (2, 3) a sideward surface (4) extends, securing means (5) configured to secure the body (1) to the object (not shown) during use, flexible fastening means (6) configured to attach holder (1) to an external surface during use, wherein the flexible fastening means (6) comprises a U- or V-shaped hook comprising at least two legs (13) having an upward closed end and a downward open end.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the downward opening of the U- or V-shaped hook is not restricted by any means i.e. the external surface on which the user intends to hang the object may pass into the downward opening formed by the flexible fastening means (6).

[0011] Due to the flexibility of the fastening means (6), the holder and the object may be attached to a flat surface such as the edge of a table.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the fastening means (6) may be made of a material being so flexible that the distance between the ends of the at least two legs (13) at the open end may vary between 1 cm to the length of the second leg (13).

[0013] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the securing means (5) may comprise at least one flexible band.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the securing means (5) may comprise at least one flexible band which band comprises a plurality of uniform openings (7) and the side surface (4) of the body (1) may comprise at least one protruding part (8) corresponding to all of and each of the uniform opening (7).

[0015] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the U- or V-shaped hook may extend from the upward surface (2) of the body (1).

[0016] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the securing means (5) may comprise at least one flexible band which is fastened to the body (1) with a locking mechanism (10).

[0017] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the securing means (5) may comprise at least one elastic band either attached to or positioned around the body (1) during use.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the U- or V-shaped hook comprising at least two legs (13) and the body (1) may be moulded or 3D-printed as a single piece of material.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the U- or V-shaped hook comprising at least two legs (13), the securing means (5) and the body (1) may be moulded or 3D-printed as a single piece of material.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the parts moulded or printed if prepared as one piece of material may be made of a thermoplastic polymer.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the thermoplastic polymer may be polyurethan.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, colour markings (14) or type- or trademarks may be attached to either the second leg of the U- or V-shaped hook or to the body (1)

[0023] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the holder may be attached to a longitudinal and supporting part of a crutch or a cane or a walking stick.

Brief description of the figures

[0024] 

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a holder according to the invention in a non-use state.

Figure 2 shows the same embodiment of a holder as fig. 1 in a state where the holder has been attached to an object.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a holder according to the invention in a use-situation where the holder is attached to an object.

[0025] The present invention will now be described in more detail in the following.

Detailed description of the invention

Definitions

[0026] Prior to discussing the present invention in further details, the following terms and conventions will first be defined:

In general - when this expression is used when mentioning a feature relating to the present invention, it must be understood that the feature may be used with all embodiments of the invention, even if the mentioning is made in the detailed part of the document.

Upward/downward/side ward - the directional words refer to the position of a holder according to the invention in a use-situation where the downward surface or downward end is pointing to or facing a floor or the ground during use.

[0027] The invention will now be described in further details in the following.

[0028] Figure 1 discloses an embodiment of a holder according to the invention which holder comprises a body 1 having an upward surface 2 and an opposite downward surface 3 and between the upward and downward surface 2, 3 extend a sideward surface 4, if the body 1 is formed as a cylinder it may be seen as comprising only one cylindric side surface, if the body 1 is formed as a rectangle the body 1 may be seen as comprising more than one side surface 4.

[0029] The holder comprises securing means 5 configured to secure the body 1 to a not shown object during use. The securing means 5 may comprise one, two or more bands or belts, preferably a band or belt which is able to adapt to different sizes and shapes of objects.

[0030] The securing means 5 may comprise one, two or more bands or belts, and preferably the securing means must be adaptable to different circumferences of an object, both differences originating from different shapes, e.g. the object may have a rectangular profile or a round profile, and from different sizes. Normally, the securing means 5 may therefore be flexible enough to adapt to a given perimeter shape of the object while maintaining a suitable friction when the securing means 5 are tightened, and normally the fastening means 5 may be adapted in length to suit the circumferential size of the object.

[0031] The embodiment of the securing means 5 shown in fig. 1 comprises two belts with a series of holes or openings 7, the holes or openings 7 fits protruding parts 8 which extends from a side surface of the body 1. A single belt with one series of openings 7 corresponding to a single protruding part 8 extending from the side surface 4 of the body may be enough to secure the holder to the object. However, the shown embodiment comprises two protruding parts 8 per belt which makes it possible to use a less robust material for the body and for the protruding parts 8 as each protruding part 8 is subjected to a significantly lower load during use of the holder. In order to prevent release of the securing means 5 after having positioned the holder to the object, a locking mechanism 10 may be used to lock the securing means 5 in the desired position. The locking mechanism 10 of fig. 1 comprises one, two or more legs 11 corresponding to the number of bands or belts of the securing means 5, and each leg 11 fits into one, two or more openings 9 of protruding parts 8 of the body 1.

[0032] When a user has tightened the securing means 5 around a part of an object to benefit from the holder, the openings 7 of the securing means 5 is pushed towards the body 1 receiving a protruding part 8 in one, two or more openings 7 of each band or belt of the securing means 5. The length of the protruding part 8 is adapted to the height of the securing means 5 in such a way that an opening 9 of the protruding part 8 appears when the securing means 5 is pushed into contact with the body 1 of the holder. The locking mechanism 10 is brought into locking position by pushing each leg 11 through one, two or more openings 9, and optionally blocking removal of the locking mechanism 10 by a tap 12 protruding from the side surface 4 of the body 1.

[0033] The holder also comprises flexible fastening means 6 configured to fasten the body 1 to an external surface. The flexible fastening means 6 comprises a U- or V-shaped hook comprising at least two legs 13 having an upward closed end and a downward open end.

[0034] A first leg 13 is secured to the body 1 or is created as a part of the body 1 i.e. the flexible fastening means 6 may be moulded or printed in the same material and in same operation as the body 1. Normally, the first leg 13 extends from or relative to the upward surface 2 of the body 1. This means that normally the upward closed end of the U- or V-shaped hook is positioned above the upward surface 2 of the body 1 in a situation of use.

[0035] The flexible fastening means 6 are flexible in such a way that the distance between the downward open ends of the legs 13 may be increased, i.e. the second leg 13 which is not fastened to the body 1 may pivot around an axis at the top of the U- or V-shaped hook i.e. the upward closed end of the hook. The first and second leg 13 of the hook may therefore be in a relaxed state where the first and second leg are almost parallel as shown in fig. 1, and a second state where the first and second leg are positioned approximately perpendicular relative to each other.

[0036] Figure 2 shows the same embodiment as fig. 1 but in fig. 2 the securing means 5 are in the position where the securing means 5 fit around an object such as a crutch, a walking stick or the like.

[0037] The holder may be secured to the object without using tools, simply by positioning and tightening the securing means 5 around a part of the object and then push the openings 7 of the securing means 5 into contact with the corresponding protruding parts 8 of the body 1. Optionally, the securing means 5 may comprise protruding parts fitting into corresponding openings in the side surface 4 of the body 1, or the securing means 5 may be locked to the body 1 by other means e.g. the securing means 5 may comprise one or more elastic bands which during use are positioned around the body 1 and then attached to the body 1 by any suitable means.

[0038] According to one embodiment the holder is moulded or printed in a single piece, i.e. the complete holder is constituted of one mouldable or printable material.

[0039] Such a material may be a thermoplastic polymer such as e.g. thermoplastic polyurethan or another material having similar properties in regard of flexibility and durability.

[0040] Although, the functional parts of the holder may be made from one material, the holder may comprise smaller additional parts such as colour markings or trademarks indication comprising e.g. a colour code for a crutch or e.g. a trademark or type mark for a tool.

[0041] In the embodiment of fig. 1, a colour mark 14 of a different material is inserted into and attached to an opening of the second leg 13, this colour mark may provide an indication that this crutch is for either the left- or the right-hand side of the user.

[0042] Fig. 3 illustrates how a holder according to the invention is secured to an object in this case a crutch comprising a handle 15 and a round supporting part or leg 16. The holder is secured below the handle 15 as the securing means 5 are tightened around the supporting part 16. According to this use of the holder, the friction between the securing means 5 and the holder prevents the holder from sliding down after having attached the securing means 5 of the holder properly, and the handle 15 prevents the holder from sliding upwards when the free leg 13 of the holder is placed in contact with an external surface in which situation the holder may be subjected to an upward force.

[0043] A double arrow in fig. 3, illustrates how the distance between the two legs 13 of the fastening means may vary as the free leg 13 moves between a relaxed position and an extended position where the free leg rests against an external surface.

[0044] Alternatively, if the external surface is a narrow surface such as a back of a chair or the like, then the distance between the two legs 13 may not vary and the fastening means 6 functions as a traditional hook.

Ref. no.	Ref. name
1	Body of holder
2	Upward surface of body
3	Downward surface of body
4	Sideward surface of body
5	Securing means
6	Fastening means
7	Openings in securing means
8	Protruding parts corresponding to openings in securing means
9	Opening in protruding part
10	Locking mechanism
11	Leg of locking mechanism
12	Tap preventing removal of locking mechanism
13	Legs of flexible fastening means
14	Colour marking
15	Handle of crutch
16	Supporting part or leg of object

Claims

1. A holder for an object such as a crutch, a cane, a tool or similar comprising

- a body (1) having an upward surface (2) and an opposite downward surface (3) and between the upward and downward surface (2, 3) a sideward surface (4) extends,

- securing means (5) configured to secure the body (1) to the object (not shown) during use,

- flexible fastening means (6) configured to attach the holder to an external surface during use,

characterized in that the flexible fastening means (6) comprises a U- or V-shaped hook comprising at least two legs (13) having an upward closed end and a downward open end.

2. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means (6) are made of a material being so flexible that the distance between the ends of the at least two legs (13) at the open end may vary between 1 cm to the length of the second leg (13).

3. A holder according to any previous claim, wherein the securing means (5) comprises at least one flexible band.

4. A holder according to any previous claim, wherein the securing means (5) comprises at least one flexible band which band comprises a plurality of uniform openings (7) and the side surface (4) of the body (1) comprises at least one protruding part (8) corresponding to each of the uniform opening (7).

5. A holder according to any previous claim, wherein U- or V-shaped hook extends from the upward surface (2) of the body (1).

6. A holder according to any previous claim, wherein the securing means (5) comprises at least one flexible band which is fastened to the body (1) with a locking mechanism (10).

7. A holder according to any previous claim, wherein the securing means (5) comprises at least one elastic band either attached to or positioned around the body (1) during use.

8. A holder according to any previous claim, wherein the U- or V-shaped hook comprising at least two legs (13) and the body (1) are moulded or printed as a single piece of material.

9. A holder according to any previous claim, wherein the U- or V-shaped hook comprising at least two legs (13), the securing means (5) and the body (1) are moulded or printed of as a single piece of material.

10. A holder according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the parts moulded or printed as one piece of material is made of a thermoplastic polymer.

11. A holder according to claim 10, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is polyurethan.

12. A holder according to any previous claim, wherein colour markings (14) or type- or trademarks are attached to either the second leg of the U- or V-shaped hook or to the body (1)

13. A holder according to any previous claim, wherein the holder is attached to a longitudinal and supporting part of a crutch or a cane or a walking stick.

14. A holder according to any previous claim, wherein the downward opening of the U- or V-shaped hook is not restricted by any means i.e. the external surface on which the user intends to hang the object may pass unrestricted into the downward opening.

15. A holder according to any previous claim, wherein at least one leg (13) is secured to the body (1) and at least one leg (13) is free and may pivot relative to the secured leg (13) along an axis at the upward closed end.

Drawing