FR3146053A1 - Cane including self-gripping material for its reversible attachment - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cane (1) comprising on at least a portion of at least one of its surfaces a first member of a self-gripping material (5) configured to attach to a second member of a self-gripping material (4). The present invention also relates to a ready-to-assemble assembly (also called a "kit") comprising such a cane (1) and a device for receiving said cane comprising at least a second member of a self-gripping material (4). The present invention further relates to a method for attaching at least one such cane (1) to another cane (1), and/or to a multi-cane receiving device. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Cane including self-gripping material for its reversible attachment

The present invention relates to a cane comprising on at least a portion of at least one of its surfaces a first member of a self-gripping material configured to attach to a second member of a self-gripping material. The present invention also relates to a ready-to-assemble assembly (also called a “kit”) comprising such a cane and a device for receiving said cane comprising at least a second member of a self-gripping material. The present invention further relates to a method for attaching at least one such cane to another cane, and/or to a multi-cane receiving device.

A cane user – an elderly, disabled, blind or partially sighted person, a walker, a hiker, etc. – is necessarily inconvenienced when they need to use their two hands.

In this respect, a handle strap is not satisfactory because it does not really free the hand; carrying it over the shoulder is not any more satisfactory, because the cane then swings in all directions and, thrown back on the back, creates a certain inconvenience.

FR2765086 describes a means of magnetically attaching a cane. However, the strength of the magnetic field required to securely attach the cane can cause discomfort to people using it. For example, people with a pacemaker, who are sensitive to magnetic fields, cannot use such a device. In addition, daily use of such a device could cause damage due to the magnetic field(s). Finally, such magnetic fields can cause malfunctions in portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones or tablets.

The invention aims to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art.

So, one of the goals is to provide a way to quickly attach a cane to as many types of supports as possible, for example a piece of clothing, a wall, a window, a car door, a bag, etc.

A first aspect according to the present invention therefore relates to a cane characterized in that it comprises on at least a portion of at least one of its surfaces a first member of a self-gripping material configured to attach reversibly to a second member of a self-gripping material.

One of the advantages of the invention is therefore its ease of implementation. Indeed, if the user is in possession of a cane, he will be able to apply to it on at least a portion of at least one of its surfaces a first member of a self-gripping material, for example by using an adhesive, for example a double-sided adhesive paper or a self-gripping material already provided with adhesive on one of its non-self-gripping faces.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first member of a self-gripping material is integrated into the very structure of the rod. This can be achieved for example when molding the part of the rod concerned, by adding a self-gripping material during molding (for example by protecting the self-gripping face of said material and by arranging the different elements so that the first member of the self-gripping material is placed on at least a portion of at least one of the surfaces of the rod.

Advantageously, the first member of a self-gripping material is placed on an end of the cane comprising a handle for holding said cane. Thus, advantageously, the user will be able to make his grip of the cane coincide with the first member of a self-gripping material.

Advantageously, the first member of a self-gripping material is placed on one end of the cane comprising a handle for holding said cane and more precisely on a face opposite the location intended to accommodate the user's hand. Thus, when the user grasps his cane, he will grip it at a location devoid of self-gripping material and therefore without any attachment that could hinder his grip.

Preferably, the first member and the second member of a self-gripping material are made of self-gripping fabric. Thus, its implementation on the cane (and on supports such as clothing for the second member of the self-gripping material) is facilitated by the flexibility of said fabric.

In a particular embodiment, the self-gripping fabric is a hook-and-loop type fabric. This very practical and widely used type of fabric, also known under the brand name “Velcro®”, makes it possible to perfectly fulfill the objectives of the present invention.

Preferably, the second member of a self-gripping material has a shape adapted to the shape of the cane. For example, the second member of a self-gripping material may be concave in shape to facilitate the positioning of the cane and also allow a contact surface optimizing the (temporary) fixing of the cane.

The first member of a self-gripping material may be of any applicable shape, preferably configured to conform to the shape of the second member of a self-gripping material.

Preferably, the cane is chosen from the list consisting of a walking stick, a cane for the blind, an English cane, a tripod cane, a quadripod cane, a telescopic cane, an antebrachial cane and an axillary cane. As explained above, the interest of the present invention is to free the user's hand(s), which takes on its full meaning in the examples of canes listed here.

Preferably, the first member of a self-gripping material has a ratio between its self-gripping surface and the weight of the rod of between 0.2 and 20 cm ² /kg of rod.

Preferably, the first member of a self-gripping material has a ratio between its self-gripping surface and the weight of the rod of between 0.5 and 15 cm ² /kg of rod, between 1 and 10 cm ² /kg of rod, between 2 and 9 cm ² /kg of rod, between 3 and 8 cm ² /kg of rod, between 4 and 7 cm ² /kg of rod or between 5 and 6 cm ² /kg of rod.

In a particular embodiment, the first member of a self-gripping material has a surface area of between 0.2 and 40 cm ² , for example between 0.5 and 30 cm ² , between 1 and 20 cm ² , between 2 and 18 cm ² , between 3 and 16 cm ² , between 4 and 15 cm ² , between 5 and 14 cm ² , between 6 and 13 cm ² , between 7 and 12 cm ² , between 8 and 11 cm ² , or between 9 and 10 cm ² .

Preferably, the second member of a self-gripping material has a ratio between its self-gripping surface and the weight of the rod intended to be reversibly attached to it of between 0.2 and 20 cm ² /kg of rod.

Preferably, the second member of a self-gripping material has a ratio between its self-gripping surface and the weight of the rod intended to be reversibly attached to it of between 0.5 and 15 cm ² /kg of rod, between 1 and 10 cm ² /kg of rod, between 2 and 9 cm ² /kg of rod, between 3 and 8 cm ² /kg of rod, between 4 and 7 cm ² /kg of rod or between 5 and 6 cm ² /kg of rod.

In a particular embodiment, the second member of a self-gripping material has a surface area of between 0.2 and 40 cm ² , for example between 0.5 and 30 cm ² , between 1 and 20 cm ² , between 2 and 18 cm ² , between 3 and 16 cm ² , between 4 and 15 cm ² , between 5 and 14 cm ² , between 6 and 13 cm ² , between 7 and 12 cm ² , between 8 and 11 cm ² , or between 9 and 10 cm ² .

In a particular embodiment, the cane is a walking stick and the first member of a self-gripping material has a surface area of between 0.2 and 40 cm ² .

In a particular embodiment, the cane is a walking stick and the first member of a self-gripping material has a surface area of between 0.5 and 30 cm ² , between 1 and 20 cm ² , between 2 and 18 cm ² , between 3 and 16 cm ² , between 4 and 15 cm ² , between 5 and 14 cm ² , between 6 and 13 cm ² , between 7 and 12 cm ² , between 8 and 11 cm ² , or between 9 and 10 cm ² .

In one embodiment, the rod has a mass of between 50 g and 5 kg, preferably between 100 g and 3 kg, more preferably between 200 g and 2 kg, even more preferably between 250 g and 1 kg, such as 300 g plus or minus 50 g, 400 g plus or minus 50 g, 500 g plus or minus 50 g, 600 g plus or minus 50 g, 700 g plus or minus 50 g, 800 g plus or minus 50 g, or even 900 g plus or minus 50 g.

The subject of the present invention also relates to a ready-to-assemble assembly (also called a “kit”) comprising a rod as described above and a device for receiving said rod comprising at least a second member of a self-gripping material.

As explained above, in a particular embodiment, the second member of a self-gripping material has a shape adapted to receive the first member of a self-gripping material placed on a cane, which implies that the reception device also has a shape adapted to receive the cane, in particular to receive the portion of the cane comprising the first member of a self-gripping material.

For example, the docking device is adapted to be fixed to a solid surface, such as the surface of a wall, a door, a window, a stair banister, a beam, a piece of furniture or even a surface of a motor vehicle, or adapted to be fixed to a flexible surface, such as the surface of a garment or a curtain.

More specifically, the reception device may comprise a means of attachment to a garment, such as a clip, a button or a clamp, in particular to be attached to a belt.

In one embodiment, the garment is selected from the list consisting of a jacket, a belt, pants, a pullover, a coat, a T-shirt, a sweatshirt, shorts, Bermuda shorts, a swimsuit, underwear, a shoe, and a windbreaker.

The reception device may in particular have a rounded and/or angular concave surface allowing the reception of a portion of a cane.

The subject of the present invention also relates to a method for (reversibly) fixing at least one rod as described above, comprising a step of bringing a first member of a self-gripping material into contact with a second member of a self-gripping material, said second member of a self-gripping material being placed on a second rod, on a device for receiving said rod or on at least one (other) rod of the invention fixed (reversibly) via a first member of a self-gripping material coupled to a second member of a self-gripping material, said second member of a self-gripping material being placed on a multi-rod receiving device.

Indeed, the method of (reversible) fixing of at least one rod as described above comprises in one embodiment a step of bringing into contact a first member of a self-gripping material with a second member of a self-gripping material (thus forming a pair of a first and second member of a self-gripping material), said second member of a self-gripping material being placed on a second rod.

This second rod may be free or itself attached (reversibly) to one or more other rods so as to create a series of rods according to the present invention attached to each other reversibly via one or more pairs of a first and second member of a self-gripping material.

In one embodiment in the (reversible) fixing method, said second member of a self-gripping material is placed on a receiving device of said rod. The receiving device of said rod may be a pad of self-gripping material stuck on a support (e.g. solid), as defined above.

In the case where several rods are reversibly attached to each other by means of pairs of first and second members of self-gripping material(s), the reception device on a support (e.g. solid) becomes a multi-rod reception device.

The different pairs of first and second members of self-gripping material(s) are in an embodiment of the same nature (e.g. velcro® type).

The different pairs of first and second members of self-gripping material(s) are in an embodiment of different natures (e.g. of the velcro® type and of the material sticky to the touch type).

For example, the multi-rod docking device may be a pad of self-gripping material stuck to a support (e.g. solid), as defined above.

The invention will be better understood from reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

represents a schematic side view of a cane according to the present invention reversibly attached to a user's belt.

represents a schematic perspective view of a cane according to the present invention attached to a second member of a self-gripping material.

represents a schematic perspective view of a residential beam provided with a second member of a self-gripping material.

represents a schematic view of a residential beam provided with a second member of a self-gripping material according to the comprising a cane attached to said second member.

represents a schematic perspective view of two (English) canes attached to each other by a self-gripping system, one of these canes also being attached to a living beam provided with a second member of a self-gripping material according to the .

represents a schematic perspective view of a cane according to the present invention, reversibly attached to a wall of a room.

represents a schematic perspective view of a cane according to the present invention, reversibly attached to a bay window.

represents a schematic perspective view from a first viewing angle of a suction cup docking device for a cane according to the present invention.

represents a schematic perspective view from a second viewing angle of a suction cup docking device for a cane according to the present invention.

represents a schematic perspective view of a clip-on cane docking device according to the present invention.

represents a schematic perspective view of a button docking device for a cane according to the present invention.

represents a schematic perspective view of a button docking device for a cane according to the present invention and a locking collar.

There represents a user 2 wearing a belt 6, which belt 6 comprises a second member of a self-gripping material 4, such as a clip with a velcro® face. The cane 1, comprises a handle 3 and a first member of a self-gripping material 5 (such as a complementary velcro® portion) complementary to the second member of a self-gripping material 4. The cane 1 is reversibly attached to the belt 6 by means of the first member of a self-gripping material 5 placed on the second member of a self-gripping material 4.

There is a representation of a cane 1, comprising a handle 3 and a first member of a self-gripping material 5 (such as a portion of velcro®) surrounding a peripheral portion of the cane 1. This cane is reversibly attached via its first member of a self-gripping material 5 in contact with a second member of a self-gripping material 4 (such as a complementary velcro® pad), complementary to the first member of a self-gripping material 5.

There represents a schematic perspective view of a living beam 7 provided with a second member of a self-gripping material 4, such as a velcro® pad, stuck to said living beam 7.

There represents a schematic view of a residential beam 7 comprising a second member of a self-gripping material 4 as shown in comprising a rod 1 as shown in (with a handle 3 and a first member of a self-gripping material 5) attached to said second member of a self-gripping material 4.

There represents a schematic perspective view of two canes 1 (of the English cane type here) attached to each other by a system of a first and a second member of a self-gripping material 4 according to the present invention (placed between the two canes – therefore the first and second coupled members of a self-gripping material are not visible in the representation), one of these canes also being attached to a living beam provided with a second member of a self-gripping material 4 according to the present invention. . Thus, the rods here each have both a first member of a self-gripping material and a second member of a self-gripping material 4, to allow these rods to be reversibly attached one after the other, if necessary.

There represents a schematic perspective view of a cane 1 as shown in (with a handle 3 and a first member of a self-gripping material 5), reversibly attached to a wall of a bedroom (with a bed 8) having a second member of a self-gripping material 4.

There represents a schematic perspective view of a cane 1 as shown in (with a handle 3 and a first member of a self-gripping material 5), reversibly attached to the second member of a self-gripping material 4 glued to a window (here a bay window 10). It is also possible to place the second member of a self-gripping material 4 on a movable element (possibly glazed) such as a door 9.

There represents a schematic perspective view of a reception device 11 (possibly with suction cup) for a rigid third-plane support, such as a wall, a window, a door, a mirror, a beam, a fault, a bed, a chair, etc. The reception device 11 shown comprises a second member of a self-gripping material 4 placed on a first support 12 mounted, possibly movably, on an arm 14, said arm being fixed, possibly movably, on a second support 13 intended to be applied to a rigid third-plane support, such as a wall, a window, a door, a mirror, a beam, a fault, a bed, a chair, etc. The reception device 11 shown in is generally cylindrical in shape with a circular base.

There represents a schematic perspective view of a suction cup 15 docking device 11 for a rigid third-plane support, such as a wall, a window, a door, a mirror, a beam, a fault, a bed, a chair, etc. The docking device 11 shown includes the characteristics of the support as shown in , namely a second member of a self-gripping material (not visible here) placed on a first support 12 mounted, possibly in a movable manner, on an arm (not visible according to the representation), said arm being fixed, possibly in a movable manner, on a second support 13 intended to be applied to a rigid third-plane support, such as a wall, a window, a door, a mirror, a beam, a fault, a bed, a chair, etc. via a suction cup 15. The reception device 11 shown in is generally cylindrical in shape with a circular base.

There represents a schematic perspective view of a reception device 16 for clothing allowing the reception of a cane according to the present invention. Said reception device 16 comprises a clip 17 allowing said device to be clipped to a garment, such as a belt, trousers, shorts, a skirt, etc. Said reception device 16 further comprises a member of a self-gripping material 4 fixed (for example by gluing, extrusion, ultrasonic gluing-fusion) on a first support 12 (which may be for example made of plastic).

There represents a schematic perspective view of a reception device 16 for clothing allowing the reception of a cane according to the present invention. Said reception device 16 comprises according to the representation of the a button 18, a member of a self-gripping material 4 fixed (for example by gluing, extrusion, ultrasonic fusion gluing) on a first support 12 (which may be for example made of plastic). The button 18 comprises a foot 19 and a head 20. The reception device as shown can therefore be used as is on a garment having an opening for housing the button 18, or can be used with a clamp (not shown in the ).

There represents a schematic perspective view of a reception device 16 for clothing allowing the reception of a cane according to the present invention. Said reception device 16 comprises according to the representation of the a button 18, a member of a self-gripping material 4 fixed (for example by gluing, extrusion, ultrasonic gluing-fusion) on a first support 12 (which may be for example made of plastic). The button 18 is identical to that shown in . A clamping collar 21 is placed around the foot of the button 18. Thus by placing the receiving device 16 on one side of a fabric (for example a garment), and by placing the clamping collar 21 on the other side of the fabric, the assembly of the clamping collar 21 to the button 18 by sandwiching the fabric makes it possible to fix the receiving device 16 to said fabric (such as a garment) and allows the receiving device 16 to receive a cane according to the present invention.

Obviously, other applications of the invention can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

Cane (1) characterized in that it comprises on at least a portion of at least one of its surfaces a first member of a self-gripping material (5) configured to attach reversibly to a second member of a self-gripping material (4). Cane (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the first member and the second member of a self-gripping material (4,5) are made of self-gripping fabric. Cane (1) according to claim 2 characterized in that the self-gripping fabric is a velvet-crochet type fabric. Cane (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cane (1) is chosen from the list consisting of a walking stick, a cane for the blind, an English cane, a tripod cane, a quadripod cane, a telescopic cane, an antebrachial cane and an axillary cane. Cane (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first member of a self-gripping material (5) has a ratio between its self-gripping surface and the weight of the cane (1) of between 0.2 and 20 cm ² /kg of cane (1). Cane (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cane (1) is a walking cane and the first member of a self-gripping material (5) has a surface area of between 0.2 and 40 cm ² . Ready-to-assemble assembly comprising a rod (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a receiving device (11, 16) for said rod (1) comprising at least a second member of a self-gripping material (4). Ready-to-assemble assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the reception device (11, 16) is adapted to be fixed on a solid surface, such as the surface of a wall, a door, a window, a stair banister, a beam (7), a piece of furniture or even a surface of a motor vehicle, or adapted to be fixed on a flexible surface, such as the surface of a garment or a curtain. Ready-to-assemble set according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the garment is chosen from the list consisting of a jacket, a belt, trousers, a pullover, a coat, a T-shirt, a sweatshirt, shorts, Bermuda shorts, a swimsuit, underwear, a shoe, and a windbreaker. Method for fixing at least one rod (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a step of bringing into contact a first member of a self-gripping material (5) with a second member of a self-gripping material (4), said second member of a self-gripping material (4) being placed on a second rod (1), on a reception device (11, 16) of said rod (1) or on at least one rod (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 fixed via a first member of a self-gripping material (5) coupled to a second member of a self-gripping material (4), which second member of a self-gripping material (4) being placed on a reception device (11, 16) for multiple rods (1).