Stick for sightless people

Abstract

 The invention refers to a stick for sightless people, the stick being of a type comprising a handle (3), a body (1), a ferrule (2), and connection means for connecting said elements to each other; the ferrule (2) consists of a hollow, substantially spherical body (20) possibly made up of more parts and provided with a coupling portion (21) to allow the attachment thereof to the stick (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to a stick for sightless people.

[0002] In particular, the present stick belongs to that category of sticks, used by sightless people as a support for their orientation and mobility, which are also indicated as being of long type, since they exhibit in general a length substantially equal to the height of the user's breast bone from the ground.

[0003] The parameters which are considered important in view of the optimum characteristics of a stick of long type are the following: straight vertical axis of the rod with a slight tapering from the handle to the ferrule and length varying according to the user's height; length sufficient to provide the user with useful information in due time; light weight ranging from 0.168 to 0.224 kg as a function of the length; low resistance to the wind; rigidity sufficient to allow the user to accurately determining both distance and position of the sensed object without the stick bouncing or bending excessively; capability of maintaining the shape even under stress condition; low thermal and electrical conductivity; suitable ability of transmitting vibrations from the ferrule to the handle so as to efficiently provide sensorial, tactile and acoustic stimuli; resistance to shocks and wear; no risk in case of shattering; ability of being highly visible by car drivers and pedestrians; possibility of producing acoustic signals of an intensity no higher than necessary; satisfactory balancing; acceptable outward appearance.

[0004] The sticks currently produced for sightless people in general do not entirely meet all the requirements above mentioned and, in particular, may also exhibit the drawbacks described below.
One drawback related to the known sticks is that they are provided with a relatively small ferrule that may become struck in use within manholes, gratings, bicycle wheels, etc.

[0005] A further drawback relates to sticks whose height is adjustable, and is due to their difficulty of being blocked in the desired position and kept in such position.
Besides, the sticks of known type for sightless people cannot be normally repaired as they exhibit a plurality of hardly replaceable components. Among these components, for example, those tubular elements which make up the stick's body (in the sticks of foldable type) are often different from each other.

[0006] A further drawback of the foldable sticks lies in the fact that the fixing of the elastic to the tubular elements making up the stick may result difficult to perform, and the same elastic may become worn out by being rubbed against the edges of the tubular elements when the stick is folded up.

[0007] The main object of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks by providing a stick which meets all the requirements above mentioned.
This result has been achieved, according to the invention, by providing a stick having the characteristics disclosed in the independent claims. Further characteristics being set forth in the dependent claims.

[0008] The advantages of the present invention lie essentially in that it is possible to provide a stick for sightless people which is able to completely meet all the requirements above mentioned, that the stick exhibits a ferrule which is extremely sensitive and resistant, thereby resulting significantly efficient when interacting with obstacles of various kinds; that the stick is made up of a plurality of elements easy to replace or assemble; that the inner elastic is particularly resistant; that the means for fixing and housing the elastic inside the stick are extremely simple and robust, without knots and glues; that the stick is easily adjustable in height; that the stick has a limited weight and is well balanced; that the cost of the stick is relatively low; that the stick maintains substantially all its characteristics unchanged even after prolonged service periods.

[0009] These and other advantages and characteristics of the invention will be best understood by anyone skilled in the art from a reading of the following description in conjunction with the attached drawings given as a practical exemplification of the invention, but not to be considered in a limitative sense, wherein:

• Fig. 1 is a side view of a possible embodiment of a stick for sightless people according to the present invention;
• Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C show, in enlarged scale, some details of the preceding figure in a perspective view partially sectioned longitudinally;
• Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the handle of the stick in Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3B is a schematic section view of the handle in Fig. 3A;
• Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C are, respectively, a whole perspective view (Fig. 4A), a perspective view in section (Fig. 4B) and a schematic view in section (Fig. 4C), of a threaded bush to be used for the stick in Fig. 1;
• Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C are, respectively, a whole perspective view (Fig. 5A), a perspective view in section (Fig. 5B) and a schematic view in section (Fig. 5C), of a sleeve to be used for the stick in Fig. 1;
• Figs. 6A and 6B are, respectively, a whole perspective view (Fig. 6A) and a schematic view in section (Fig. 6B), of a tubular element to be used for the stick in Fig. 1;
• Figs. 7A and 7B are, respectively, a whole perspective view (Fig. 7A) and a schematic view in section (Fig. 7B), of a tubular element to be used for the stick in Fig. 1;
• Figs. 8A and 8B are, respectively, a whole perspective view (Fig. 8A) and a partial perspective view in section (Fig. 8B), of a ferrule to be used for the stick in Fig. 1;
• Figs. 9A and 9B are, respectively, a whole perspective view (Fig. 9A) and a schematic view in section (Fig. 9B), an attachment member to be used for the stick in Fig. 1;
• Figs. 10A and 10B are, respectively, a broken away perspective view (Fig. 10A) and a schematic view in section (Fig. 10B), of an elastic element to be used for the stick in Fig. 1; and
• Figs. 11A and 11B are, respectively, a whole perspective view (Fig. 11A) and a schematic view in section (Fig. 11B), of an attachment member to be used for the stick in Fig. 1.

[0010] With reference to the figures of the attached drawings, a stick for sightless people, according to the present invention, is of foldable type, that is, made up of a plurality of portions connected to each other so as to allow the stick to be positioned either in its configuration for use, as shown in Fig. 1, or in its configuration of non use in which the various portions or tubular elements are folded up.
This stick for sightless people comprises, essentially, a handle, a body, a ferrule, and connection means for joining said elements with each other.

[0011] The ferrule of the illustrated embodiment, as best seen in Figs. 2C, 8A and 8B, is made up of a hollow, substantially spherical body (20), provided with a coupling portion (21) to allow the fixing thereof to the body of the stick (1). The coupling portion (21) is shaped like a sleeve and can be fitted on the lower end of the body of the stick (1).
The ferrule (2) is made form plastics material; in particular, the plastics material is possibly of PPS (polyphenylene sulphide) type, for example the one marketed with the trade mark Ryton, preferably of BR-7-120NA type. Using this material makes it also possible to provide ferrules of different colours.
The hollow body (20) may be provided, as in the example, with one or more reinforcing ribs (22). In this way, it is possible to limit the thickness of the ferrule. Said ferrule (2) is made up of more (two, for example) like parts joined opposite to each other.

[0012] As above indicated, the body of the stick (1) comprises more tubular elements (11); the tubular elements (11) are like each other and have a substantially cylindrical shaping with an upper end (12) defining a seat, and a lower end defining a coupling element (13). The coupling element has an outer diameter lower than the inner diameter of the seat (12) so as to accommodate the tubular elements one within the other. The sameness of the tubular elements (11) (four, in the illustrated example) allows limiting the number of parts making up the stick.
The tubular elements (11) are made from glass fibre and may have a reflecting outer surface, preferably coated with a nonslip coat. The coupling element (13) is coated with Teflon type material and provided with a bush (14) having a rounded edge (15). The bush (14) may be made from aluminium and is provided with a through hole (16) of such a diameter as to accommodate a corresponding section of an elastic element (4) - to be described later - with an extremely reduced, that is practically zero, clearance. A longitudinal cut (14') allows fitting the bush onto the elastic (4) already predisposed within the various elements (11) of the body. The rounded edge (15) allows folding the stick without wearing the elastic element inserted within the same stick.

[0013] The connection means previously mentioned comprise two attachment members (5, 6), disposed respectively in correspondence of the handle (3) and the ferrule (2). Such attachment members (5, 6) have a head portion (50, 60) of a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the tubular elements (11) whereby they cannot pass through the inner cavities of the latter. Each of the attachment members (5, 6) has a coupling rod (54, 64) which, as shown in the examples, may be so shaped as to exhibit longitudinal sections of different diameter. The connection members also comprise an elastic element (4) consisting of a single, hollow tubular element made of silicone rubber, for example. The ends of the elastic element (4) are fitted with interference onto the coupling rods (54, 64) so as to result steadily fixed to the attachment members (5, 6).

[0014] The handle (3) includes an internal tubular element (30) lined with a sheath (31) made from neoprene or cork layer. The lower end (32) of the inner tube (30) results fitted onto the lower end of the tubular element (11) being disposed above, that is, directly connected with the same handle. Provided between the handle (3) and the tubular element (11) directly connected therewith, is a clamping device which allows varying the length of the stick by fixing, at variable but stable positions, the handle (3) relative to the body of the stick (1). The device comprises a sleeve (7) and a treaded bush (8). The sleeve (7), which may be made from plastics material, has a cylindrical portion (72) and a substantially truncated-cone portion (70) on which two longitudinal cuts (71) and an external thread (70) are provided. The bush (8) has an inner thread (80) complementary to the sleeve (7), and an outer surface (81) defining a handle for manual operation. The bush (8) may be made from aluminium.

[0015] In use, the stick results assembled as described below. The four tubular elements (11) are fitted one inside the other, with three connections defined by the associations of coupling portions (13) within the relevant seats (12).

[0016] The element (11) disposed below results fitted into the sleeve (21) of the ferrule (2). Received inside the ferrule (2) is the head (60) of the attachment member (6), which head, as previously indicated, cannot fit into the tubular element (11) because of its diameter. Fitted onto the coupling rod (64) in a substantially unmovable manner when in use, is the lower end of the elastic (4). The elastic (4) goes through all the body of the stick (1) by passing internally to the bushes (14) disposed in the connection sites of the various tubular elements (11).
Inserted in the upper end of the above-standing tubular element (11), as best shown in Fig. 2A, is the other attachment member (5), on the coupling rod (54) of which the upper end of the elastic element (4) is steadily fixed in a manner like the one provided for the lower end.
The above-standing element (11), besides, results inserted inside the lower end (32) of the tube (30) of handle (3), wherein two or more cuts (33) may be provided. Fitted onto the lower end (32) is the threaded sleeve (7), with the truncated-cone threaded surface (70) facing downwards. The sheath (31) may partially cover the cylindrical portion (72) of the sleeve (7). Screwed on the thread (70) is the threaded bush (8) which also has its conical portion facing downwards. By rotating the bush in one direction or the other, the sleeve (7) is tightened or loosened. This movement results facilitated by the outer conformation (81) of the bush, and of the nonslip coat possibly provided on the tubular elements. It will be appreciated that it is possible to shift the handle (3) when the sleeve (7) is loosened in order to vary the length of the stick.

Claims

1. Stick for sightless people, the stick being of a type comprising a handle, a stick's body, a ferrule, and connection means for connecting said elements to each other, characterized in that the ferrule (2) consists of a hollow, substantially spherical body (20) provided with a coupling portion (21) to allow the attachment thereof to the stick (1).

2. Stick according to claim 1, characterized in that the said coupling portion (21) is shaped like a sleeve.

3. Stick according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the said ferrule (2) is made from plastics material.

4. Stick according to claim 1, characterized in that said plastics material is of PPS type or polyphenylene sulphide.

5. Stick according to one or more preceding claims, characterized in that said hollow body (20) can be constructed in more pieces and provided with one or more reinforcing ribs (22).

6. Stick for sightless people, the stick being of a type comprising a handle, a stick's body, a ferrule, and connection means for connecting said elements to each other, characterized in that the said stick's body (1) comprises more tubular elements (11) like each other having a substantially cylindrical shaping with an upper end (12) defining a seat, and a lower end defining a coupling element (13) whose outer diameter is less than the inner diameter of said seat (12).

7. Stick according to claim 6, characterized in that said tubular elements (11) are made from glass fibre and have reflecting outer surface.

8. Stick according to claim 6, characterized in that said tubular elements (11) have their outer surface coated with a nonslip coat.

9. Stick according to claim 6, characterized in that said coupling element (13) is coated with a material of Teflon type.

10. Stick according to claim 6, characterized in that it is provided, in correspondence of said coupling element (13), with a bush (14) having a rounded edge (15) and a longitudinal cut (14').

11. Stick according to claims 6 and 10, characterized in that the said connection means comprise an elastic element (4) whose ends are fixed respectively in correspondence of said handle (3) and said ferrule (2), the said bush (14) having an inner diameter (16) of such a value as to accommodate a corresponding section of said elastic (4) with extremely reduced, that is practically zero, clearance.

12. Stick for sightless people, the stick being of a type comprising a handle, a stick's body, a ferrule, and connection means for connecting said elements to each other, characterized in that the said connection means comprise two attachment members (5, 6), disposed respectively in correspondence of said handle (3) and said ferrule (2) and exhibiting a corresponding coupling rod (54, 64) and an elastic element (4) consisting of a single, hollow tubular element made of rubber whose ends are fitted with interference onto said coupling rods (54, 64) so as to result steadily attached to the attachment members (5, 6).

13. Stick according to claim 12, characterized in that the said coupling rods (54, 64) are so shaped as to exhibit sections longitudinally different in diameter.

14. Stick according to claims 6 and 12, characterized in that the said attachment members (5, 6) have a head portion (50, 60) of a diameter larger than the inner diameter of said tubular elements (11).

15. Stick for sightless people, the stick being of a type comprising a handle, a stick's body, a ferrule, and connection means for connecting said elements to each other, characterized in that the said handle (3) comprises a tubular element (30) coated with a sheath (31) and being differently associable, in a stable fashion, with the body of the stick (1).

16. Stick according to claims 6 and 15, characterized in that it is provided with a clamping device (7, 8) disposed and acting between said handle (3) and the tubular element (11) disposed above, that is, directly connected to the same handle.

17. Stick according to claim 16, characterized in that the said clamping device consists of an externally threaded sleeve (7) able to be fitted onto the lower end (32) of the handle's tubular element, which end (32) in its turn is able to be fitted onto said tubular element (11), and of an internally threaded bush (8) able to be screwed on said sleeve (7).

18. Stick according to claim 15, characterized in that the said sheath (31) is made from neoprene.

19. Stick according to claim 15, characterized in that the said sheath (31) is made from cork layer.

Drawing