WALKING STICK HOLDER WITH CONSTANT-FORCE SPRING

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a (walking) stick holder, such as is known from JP2013-248692 or NL1035988C, for example. Hereinafter, the term walking stick or (in short) stick includes all types of sticks and similar (mobility) aids that persons may or should use when standing or walking, including also (walking) crutches, Nordic walking poles, canes etc.

[0002] From NL1035988C a device is known that is suitable for and configured as a walking stick holder, comprising two cooperating clamping elements that are mutually linearly displaceable relative to each other, one of the clamping elements is configured to be able to be attached onto a walking stick, and wherein furthermore biasing means are provided, which are configured for exerting a biasing force on the clamping elements in order to drive them towards each other.

[0003] When using the stick holder, the two clamping elements (one of which is attached onto the walking stick) are pulled apart against the biasing force, and the clamping elements are clamped against the top and bottom of a tabletop, for example. Under the influence of the biasing force, the stick remains clamped onto the tabletop, preventing falling over of the stick and simultaneously freeing the hands of the user of the stick.

[0004] NL1035988C does not clearly disclose in which way the biasing means, referred to as "pretension element", have been implemented. In practice, the biasing element in the device of NL1035988C appears to comprise a helical tension spring. In use, this type of (tension) spring has the disadvantage that the tension force F increases substantially with the elongation distance S according to the formula ΔF = c_v ^∗ ΔS, in which c_v is the spring constant. As a result, it appears that these clamping elements are not comfortable in use, in particular for older and/or disabled users. A further disadvantage is of a structural and aesthetic nature: a helical tension spring is not easily mounted within the clamping elements, due to its "block length" (the length of the fully compressed spring in which the coils abut against one another).

[0005] The present invention is defined by the features of independent claim 1. According to tne present invention, therefore a stick holder for a walking stick is provided, in which use is being made ot a "constant-force spring" as a biasing element (also known as roll spring, or "constant tension spring") i.e. a rolled-up ribbon spring having a first end, located within the rolled-up portion, being connected to a first clamping element, and having a second free pull-out outer end being connected to the second clamping element.

[0006] The (mainly rolled-up) form of the constant-force spring enables easier integration into the entire assembly of the mutually linearly displaceable clamping elements. Furthermore, the spring constant c_v is very small, so that the biasing force varies very little (virtually constant) when displacing the clamping elements relative to each other. This provides for a walking stick holder that is much better suited for use with tabletops and other boards that may possess large differences in thickness. By applying the constant-force spring proposed by the invention, the force to be exerted by the user on the clamping elements is almost constant, in order to sufficiently open the elements for engaging them onto the (table)top edge; contrary to the well-known walking stick holder, which requires a lot of force during its application onto a (sometimes very) thick edge.

[0007] As a result, according to the invention, a stick holder for a walking stick is provided, the stick holder comprising two cooperating clamping elements, which are linearly displaceable relative to each other, and wherein one of the clamping elements is configured to be able to be attached onto a walking stick, wherein furthermore biasing means are provided, which are configured to exert a biasing force on the clamping elements, driving them towards each other, wherein the biasing means comprise a constant-force spring of rolled-up resilient ribbon material, of which the rolled-up portion is mounted in or against a first clamping element, and wherein the linearly-extendable free outer end of the spring is connected to the other clamping element.

[0008] According to the invention the first clamping element comprises a housing for the at least partly including the rolled-up portion of the constant-force spring.

[0009] According to the invention, the rolled-up portion of the biasing spring is mounted in the first clamping element that is configured to be able to be attached onto a walking stick.

[0010] The invention will now be further discussed on the basis of the following figure description.

Figures 1 a-b

show a preferred embodiment of the invention, having closed (abutting) clamping elements, and having open (pulled apart) clamping elements, respectively.

[0011] Figure 1a-b show a preferred embodiment of the stick holder according to the invention, comprising two cooperating clamping elements 1, 2, which are linearly displaceable relative to each other, and wherein one of the clamping elements 1 is configured to be able to be attached onto a walking stick by means of a fastening part 1a, which can be mounted in the length against a walking stick (not shown), for example by means of straps or belts (not shown).

[0012] Biasing means are provided which are configured to exert a biasing force on the clamping elements 1, 2 in order to drive them towards each other, as represented by the arrows 3.

[0013] The biasing means include a constant-force spring of resilient ribbon (strip) material 5 rolled-up (coiled-up) around a reel 4. The rolled-up portion is mounted in a first clamping element 1 by bearing mounting the axis 6 of the reel 4 rotatably in a housing 7 of the first clamping element 1. The pull-out free outer end 8 of the resilient ribbon material 5 of the constant-force spring is connected to, for example, a hook-shaped connecting portion 9, which is provided in the second clamping element 2 that is displaceable relative to the first clamping element 1.

[0014] The operation is as follows: in the rest position, as shown in Fig 1a, the two clamping elements 1, 2 are held against each other under the influence of the pulling force 3 (the biasing force) of the rolled-up constant-force spring 5, which is bearing mounted by means of reel 4 into the housing 7 of the lower clamping element 1. Thereby the free outer end 8 of the constant-force spring pulls down the displaceable upper clamping element 2 by means of the connecting portion 9. Additionally, a rest stop 10 of the upper clamping element 2 abuts against the top surface 11 of the lower clamping element 1.

[0015] If the user intents to clamp his walking stick onto (for example) a tabletop, firstly the user has to ensure that the projecting portion 12 of the upper clamping element 2 is positioned against the top surface of the (not shown) table, after which the walking stick (of which the bottom side must not be in contact with the floor) is pushed down by the user, thereby causing the lower clamping element 1, which is fixedly connected to walking stick, to be pushed down. As a result the projecting portion 12 of the clamping element 2 remains pressed down against the upper surface of the table top, while the walking stick, including the lower clamping element 1, is pushed down against the spring pressure (biasing force) of the constant-force spring 5 - thereby aided by the weight of the walking stick -. When the upper surface 11 of the lower clamping element 1 has reached a level below the lower surface of the tabletop, the user pushes the walking stick including the two clamping elements 1, 2 in such a way in the direction of the table top, that the clamping elements 1, 2 clampingly engage the lower and upper surface of the table top respectively under the influence of the biasing force 3.

[0016] For the action described in the preceding paragraph, the user may also use a hook-shaped member 13, which can be used to suspend the walking stick onto something, but which may also be used to pull up the upper clamping element 2, for clampingly engaging the walking stick onto the (table) edge. Accordingly, both the projecting portion 12 and the hook-shaped member 13 may be used to "open" the clamping elements 1, 2, in other words, to move the clamping elements away from one other during clampingly engaging the walking stick onto a (table) top.

[0017] When the walking stick is clamped onto a tabletop or another plank, the walking stick is able to be simply pulled away (detached) from the table top, after which the clamping members 1, 2 return to their rest position under the influence of the downwardly directed tension force of the free end 8 of the constant-force spring 5, as shown in figure 1a.

[0018] Because the spring constant of the constant-force spring 5 is very low, the biasing force 3, which is mutually exerted by the clamping elements 1, 2 onto each other when in the closed position (Figure 1a), is substantially identical to the biasing force in the opened position (Figure 1b); thereby in practise considerably improving the ease of use of the walking stick holder. In addition, the biasing element serving as a constant-force spring 5 may be aesthetically and structurally in a responsible manner be housed in one of the clamping elements, for example in the clamping element 1, as shown in Figures 1a-b.

Claims

1. Stick holder for a walking stick, comprising two cooperating clamping elements (1, 2), which are linearly displaceable relative to each other, and wherein the first clamping element is configured to be able to be fixedly attached in the length against the walking stick by means of a fastening part (1a),
wherein furthermore biasing means are provided, which are configured to exert a biasing force on the clamping elements, driving them towards each other, wherein the biasing means comprise a constant-force spring (5) of rolled-up resilient ribbon material, of which the rolled-up portion is mounted in the first clamping element (1), and wherein the linearly-extendable free outer end (8) of the spring is connected to the second clamping element (2),
wherein the first clamping element comprises a housing (7) for at least partly including the rolled-up portion of the constant-force spring,
wherein the rolled-up portion is mounted in the first clamping element (1) that is configured to be able to be fixedly attached onto the walking stick,
characterized, in that
the constant-force spring is a resilient ribbon material (5) rolled-up around a reel (4), wherein the rolled-up portion of the ribbon material (5) is mounted in the first clamping element (1) by bearing mounting the axis (6) of the reel (4) rotatably in the housing (7) of the first clamping element (1).

2. Stick holder according to claim 1, wherein during engaging the stick holder on an object, the second clamping element (2) moves upwards relative to the first clamping element (1) and relative to the walking stick fixedly connected to the first clamping element.

3. Stick holder according to claim 2, wherein the second clamping element (2) pulls out the free outer end (8) of the resilient ribbon material (5) when moving upwards relative to the first clamping element (1).

4. Stick holder according to claim 1 - 3, wherein the second clamping element (2) is provided with a projecting portion (12) and/or a hook-shaped member (13) for opening the clamping elements (1, 2).

Ansprüche

1. Stockhalter für einen Gehstock, umfassend zwei zusammenwirkende Klemmelemente (1, 2), welche in Bezug zueinander linear verschiebbar sind, und wobei das erste Klemmelement dazu ausgelegt ist, dass es mittels eines Befestigungsteils (1a) in der Länge fest an dem Gehstock angebracht werden kann,
wobei ferner Vorspannmittel vorgesehen sind, welche ausgelegt sind, eine Vorspannkraft auf die Klemmelemente aufzubringen, die diese zueinander treibt,
wobei die Vorspannmittel eine Konstantkraftfeder (5) aus einem aufgerollten, elastischen Bandmaterial umfassen, deren aufgerollter Abschnitt im ersten Klemmelement (1) gehalten wird, und wobei das linear ausfahrbare freie äußere Ende (8) der Feder mit dem zweiten Klemmelement (2) verbunden ist,
wobei das erste Klemmelement ein Gehäuse (7) zum zumindest teilweisen Aufnehmen des aufgerollten Abschnitts der Konstantkraftfeder umfasst,
wobei der aufgerollte Abschnitt im ersten Klemmelement (1) gehalten ist, das dazu ausgelegt ist, dass es fest an den Gehstock angebracht werden kann,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Konstantkraftfeder ein elastisches Bandmaterial (5) ist, das um eine Spule (4) aufgerollt ist, wobei der aufgerollte Abschnitt des Bandmaterials (5) durch ein Lager, das die Achse (6) der Spule (4) drehbar im Gehäuse (7) des ersten Klemmelements (1) hält, in dem ersten Klemmelement (1) gehalten ist.

2. Stockhalter nach Anspruch 1, wobei beim Einrasten des Stockhalters an einem Objekt das zweite Klemmelement (2) sich bezüglich des ersten Klemmelements (1) und bezüglich des Stockhalters, der fest mit dem ersten Klemmelement verbunden ist, nach oben bewegt.

3. Stockhalter nach Anspruch 2, wobei das zweite Klemmelement (2) das freie äußere Ende (8) des elastischen Bandmaterials (5) herauszieht, wenn es sich bezüglich des ersten Klemmelements (1) nach oben bewegt.

4. Stockhalter nach Anspruch 1-3, wobei das zweite Klemmelement (2) mit einem vorstehenden Abschnitt (12) und/oder einem hakenförmigen Bauteil (13) zum Öffnen der Klemmelemente (1, 2) versehen ist.

Revendications

1. Support de canne pour une canne de marche, comprenant deux éléments de serrage coopérants (1, 2), qui sont mobile linéairement l'un par rapport à l'autre, et dans lequel le premier élément de serrage est configuré de façon à pouvoir être attaché de manière fixe dans la longueur contre la canne de marche au moyen d'une pièce de fixation (la),
dans lequel sont prévus en outre des moyens de sollicitation, qui sont configurés pour exercer une force de sollicitation sur les éléments de serrage, de manière à les entraîner l'un vers l'autre,
dans lequel les moyens de sollicitation comprennent un ressort à force constante (5) d'un matériau de ruban élastique enroulé, dont la partie enroulée est installée dans le premier élément de serrage (1), et dans lequel l'extrémité extérieure libre pouvant s'étendre de manière linéaire (8) du ressort, est reliée au deuxième élément de serrage (2),
dans lequel le premier élément de serrage comprend un boîtier (7) pour inclure au moins partiellement la partie enroulée du ressort à force constante,
dans lequel la partie enroulée est montée dans le premier élément de serrage (1) qui est configuré de façon à pouvoir être attaché de manière fixe sur la canne de marche,
caractérisé, en ce que
le ressort à force constante est un matériau de ruban élastique (5) enroulé autour d'une bobine (4), dans lequel la partie enroulée du matériau de ruban (5) est montée dans le premier élément de serrage (1) par le montage sur palier de l'axe (6) de la bobine (4) de manière rotative dans le boîtier (7) du premier élément de serrage (1).

2. Support de canne selon la revendication 1, dans lequel, lors de l'engagement du support de canne sur un objet, le deuxième élément de serrage (2) se déplace vers le haut par rapport au premier élément de serrage (1) et par rapport à la canne de marche reliée fixement au premier élément de serrage.

3. Support de canne selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le deuxième élément de serrage (2) tire l'extrémité extérieure libre (8) du matériau de ruban élastique (5) lors du déplacement vers le haut par rapport au premier élément de serrage (1).

4. Support de canne selon les revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel le deuxième élément de serrage (2) est pourvu d'une partie en saillie (12) et/ou d'un élément en forme de crochet (13) pour ouvrir les éléments de serrage (1, 2).

Drawing