EP1943919A2 - Canne multifonctionnelle - Google Patents

Canne multifonctionnelle Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1943919A2
EP1943919A2 EP07250718A EP07250718A EP1943919A2 EP 1943919 A2 EP1943919 A2 EP 1943919A2 EP 07250718 A EP07250718 A EP 07250718A EP 07250718 A EP07250718 A EP 07250718A EP 1943919 A2 EP1943919 A2 EP 1943919A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
functional
cane
handle member
circuit system
expel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07250718A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1943919A3 (fr
Inventor
Chien-Hsin Cheng
Shu-Tsung Hsu
Bor-Nian Chuang
Teng-Chun Wu
Chen-Min Hsu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Industrial Technology Research Institute ITRI
Original Assignee
Industrial Technology Research Institute ITRI
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US11/621,571 external-priority patent/US20080072940A1/en
Application filed by Industrial Technology Research Institute ITRI filed Critical Industrial Technology Research Institute ITRI
Publication of EP1943919A2 publication Critical patent/EP1943919A2/fr
Publication of EP1943919A3 publication Critical patent/EP1943919A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45B—WALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
    • A45B3/00—Sticks combined with other objects
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45B—WALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
    • A45B3/00—Sticks combined with other objects
    • A45B3/02—Sticks combined with other objects with illuminating devices
    • A45B3/04—Sticks combined with other objects with illuminating devices electrical
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45B—WALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
    • A45B7/00—Other sticks, e.g. of cranked shape
    • A45B7/005—Other sticks, e.g. of cranked shape crank-shaped
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45B—WALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
    • A45B9/00—Details
    • A45B9/02—Handles or heads

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cane, and more particularly, to a multi-functional cane.
  • the cane is an effective and convenient tool for walkers.
  • the cane helps to ensure the safety of climbers or people walking in the countryside.
  • the cane is an important tool for people who have trouble in walking.
  • the cane is designed to be a mechanical structure, which focuses on helping people move around, without multi-functional applications.
  • the climber can only swing the conventional mechanical cane, which merely provides some basic defense. If a climber is caught in a mountain disaster, the conventional cane cannot provide the Mayday function. Similarly, for a person who has trouble in walking, the conventional mechanical cane only helps him move around, but does not provide the function of asking for help.
  • the conventional cane merely focuses on providing mechanical support, which is limited in terms of function.
  • the present invention is directed to providing a multi-functional cane, which considers various safety requirements, effectively improves the effect of the cane, and thus providing the safety and first aid effects conveniently and effectively. Furthermore, the multi-functional cane provides the remote Mayday function.
  • the present invention provides a multi-functional cane, which comprises a handle member, a rod member coupled to the handle member, and a multi-functional circuit system disposed in the handle member, or the rod member, or distributed in both the handle member and the rod member.
  • the multi-functional circuit system includes an alarm device and an expel device.
  • the multi-functional cane of the present invention combines a plurality of safety functions, which at least provides better protection for the user when being used.
  • the multi-functional cane uses the wireless communication device to seek for remote help when necessary, thus effectively reducing the injury of the user.
  • the cane is convenient for the user to carry along and use, and causes no inconvenience.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a multi-functional cane according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGs. 2-5 are schematic stereograms of a structure of a handle member 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic stereogram of a multi-functional cane according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of the circuit of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the cane is an important tool for people who has trouble in walking or for climbers, and it is also a tool for walkers in rural and country areas. Generally, safety is considered when the cane is selected to be used. Usually, for example, the user can swing the cane to expel dangerous animals or even persons who attack the user.
  • the conventional cane is designed to have basic functions only, without considering the safety requirements effectively.
  • the present invention provides the design of a multi-functional cane. Several embodiments are given below to illustrate the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments given below.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a multi-functional cane according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the multi-functional cane 100 of this embodiment includes a handle member 102, a rod member 104, and a multi-functional circuit system.
  • the multi-functional circuit system includes a plurality of devices with different functions that are distributed in the rod member 104 and the handle member 102, and the rod member 104 is coupled with the handle member 102 to form a mechanical structure of the cane 100.
  • the multi-functional circuit system includes, for example, an alarm device 108, an illumination device 112, an expel device 106, a power unit 110, and a control unit 102a.
  • the power unit 110 provides a driving power required by the devices.
  • the control unit 102a includes a control terminal part disposed on the handle member 102, so as to operate the plurality of devices of the multi-functional circuit system.
  • the control unit 102a includes inner circuits (not shown in FIG. 1 ), and the control terminal part is disposed, for example, on the handle member 102, and includes, for example, a display element 102b to display operation states of corresponding devices.
  • the actual circuit of the control unit 102a is shown in the block diagram of FIG. 7 . However, the circuit design of FIG. 7 is not the only choice, which can be modified depending upon actual requirements.
  • the above devices with various functions are disposed, for example, within a plurality of inner spaces in the integrated structure formed by the rod member 104 and the handle member 102, and they are distributed properly.
  • the illumination device 112 is designed to be close to the ground when it is used to illuminate the roads.
  • the illumination device 112 is, for example, an LED light source.
  • the alarm device 108 or the expel device 106 is suitable for sending alarms or expelling dangerous animals respectively, so that the two devices are designed to be disposed at the upper end of the rod member 104.
  • the expel device 106 is, for example, an ultrasonic expel device used to expel animals such as wild dogs. Therefore, the expel device 106 can be disposed at the upper end of the rod member 104, for example, at the tip portion of the rod member 104.
  • the control terminal of the control unit 102a is disposed on the handle member 102.
  • the expel device 106 is, for example, used to expel any dangerous animal. As the acoustic frequency of animals is different from that of human beings, the generated ultrasonic waves can expel, for example, dogs, or even snakes or bees, etc..
  • the main function of the alarm device 108 is to send out sounds, for example, an alarm sound for help, or further send out an alarm sound to expel hostile people. In other words, the alarm device 108 is used to provide alarm signals of sounds.
  • the multi-functional circuit system of the cane of the present invention further includes a wireless device 102c, which is, for example, a wireless communication device.
  • the user of the cane can contact the exterior at any time via the wireless communication device 102c. No matter the user himself/herself or people, things, or objects around the user need help, the multi-functional cane can be used to contact the exterior.
  • the multi-functional circuit system of the cane further includes a positioning device 118 used to obtain a local position information.
  • the positioning device 118 is, for example, a receiver of Global Positioning System (GPS), so as to obtain the local position information that can be sent out via the wireless communication device 102c when necessary.
  • the multi-functional circuit system of the cane further includes a Mayday device 120, for example, to send out a Mayday signal via the wireless communication device 102c.
  • the Mayday device 120 can send out a Mayday signal, and the positioning device 118 can inform the exterior about the user's local position.
  • the wireless communication device 102c includes, for example, a voice device that forms an integrated structure with the handle member 102.
  • the voice device includes, for example, a microphone and a speaker, etc., so as to communicate with the exterior via voice. If the user is still able to speak, the user can also seek for external help by voice.
  • any one or both of the handle member 102 and the rod member 104 of the cane 100 have a storage space 114 for storing an article.
  • the storage space 114 is, for example, used for storing the object 116 taken along by the user, for example, first aid medicine.
  • the alarm device 108 of the cane 100 includes, for example, a sound alarm device and/or a light alarm device, which is not only simply used for expelling dangerous animals, but also used for sending local Mayday signals and so on.
  • the control terminal part of the control unit 102a of the cane 100 includes a plurality of control keys disposed on the handle member 102 to facilitate controlling operations.
  • the control keys also can be designed as a single selecting control key to save space.
  • a selecting control key for example, the device to be controlled is selected by rotating or pressing the key, and the start, stop, or other operations are achieved by pressing the key.
  • Various methods can be used to achieve the design of the selecting control key, which are not limited to that described above.
  • the structure of the handle member 102 also has various designs so as to facilitate operating the devices of the cane 100.
  • the structure of the handle member 102 is roughly classified into an opened handle structure or an enclosed handle structure.
  • FIGs. 2-5 show several embodiments of designs of the handle member 102 of the present invention. Variations in the designs can be directly known from FIGs. 2-5 .
  • the structure of the handle member 102 of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
  • the positions where various devices are arranged also can be different. For example, an appropriate device can be disposed at position 122 in FIG. 5 .
  • At least a part of the aforementioned functional devices is disposed within the inner space of the handle member 102 and/or the rod member 104 of the cane 100, which at least saves the space.
  • such arrangement is not the only choice.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic stereogram of a multi-functional cane according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the aforementioned functional devices can be further arranged in another way.
  • the shape of the handle member 800 can be designed properly according to the operating modes.
  • the control keys are arranged on the handle member 800, and the actual circuits are, for example, arranged in the rod member 802. Certainly, the above arrangement is also a variation in the design.
  • the handle member 800 and the rod member 802 separately or integrally include an anti-shock device, a warning device, a hook, a length adjusting element, a talking/broadcasting device, a radio device, a mobile phone as at least a part of the handle member, a music playing device, and/or a automatic electric generator according to actual requirements.
  • the radio device includes a volume adjusting unit and a channel searching unit, and has, for example, the FM/AM functions, or is used to receive digital broadcastings.
  • the anti-shock device is, for example, disposed at the contact end of the cane.
  • the warning device is, for example, an LED light source 804 for warning people or vehicles behind.
  • the length adjusting element is used to adjust the length.
  • the hook for example, hangs at a certain position on the cane, which is used to hook something out of reach.
  • the music playing device is, for example, an MP3 player.
  • the wireless device includes, for example, a wireless mobile phone, a WiFi element, and/or a ZigBee element.
  • the functional devices disposed on the cane include, for example, mechanical, electronic, and electromechanical elements and the like, which are distributed or separately disposed on the handle member and/or the rod member depending upon actual requirements.
  • the above descriptions are variations in the arrangement that is appreciable according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.
  • a power supply 160 provides the power required by various functional circuits.
  • a beeper circuit 164 is started by pressing an alarm button 162.
  • an ultrasonic circuit 168 is started by pressing an expeller button 166, so as to generate the ultrasonic waves for expelling animals.
  • a microprocessor or a microcontroller (MCU) 170 further controls and processes the connected relevant functional devices, e.g., a white LED circuit 172, an indicator circuit 174, and a RF circuit 176, etc.
  • the RF circuit 176 also can be controlled upon receiving an input from a panel control unit 178 or a line control unit 180.
  • circuit structure is only an embodiment, and the actual circuit can be adjusted and modified according to the actual design of the cane 100.
  • the circuit design can be modified correspondingly, as long as the desired functions are achieved.
  • the present invention is not limited to a specific circuit design.
  • the multi-functional circuit system can comprise a wireless communication device.
  • the multi-functional circuit system can comprise a positioning device.
  • the positioning device is used to obtain a local position information, which is sent out via the wireless communication device when necessary.
  • the multi-functional circuit system can comprise a Mayday device, which sends out a Mayday signal via the wireless communication device.
  • the wireless communication device can comprise a voice device that forms an integrated structure with the handle member, wherein the voice device is used for communicating with the exterior, or seeks for external help by voice.
  • the handle member or the rod member may have an article-storage space.
  • the present invention integrates the multi-functional cane 100 through the design of the handle member and the rod member, and the user can modify the design appropriately according to local conditions. Moreover, for example, when the user needs to seek for help, the present invention effectively achieves the function of seeking for help. Therefore, as for the overall design of the cane in the present invention, the cane of the present invention has multi-functional devices on the basis of the structure of the cane 100. Thus, the cane of the present invention at least effectively enhances the safety function of the cane.

Landscapes

  • Walking Sticks, Umbrellas, And Fans (AREA)
  • Audible And Visible Signals (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)
EP07250718A 2007-01-10 2007-02-21 Canne multifonctionnelle Withdrawn EP1943919A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/621,571 US20080072940A1 (en) 2006-09-25 2007-01-10 Multi-functional can

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1943919A2 true EP1943919A2 (fr) 2008-07-16
EP1943919A3 EP1943919A3 (fr) 2010-11-17

Family

ID=39365705

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07250718A Withdrawn EP1943919A3 (fr) 2007-01-10 2007-02-21 Canne multifonctionnelle

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1943919A3 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10136841B2 (en) 2014-03-24 2018-11-27 Can Mobilities, Inc. Multi-functional smart mobility aid devices and methods of use

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5490825A (en) * 1992-03-05 1996-02-13 Wilkinson; William T. Multi purpose exercise poles with many optional attachments
US5839461A (en) * 1997-12-24 1998-11-24 Lambeth, Jr.; Harvey F. Protective apparatus for walkers and others
US6774795B2 (en) * 2001-06-30 2004-08-10 Koninklijke Philips Electroncs N.V. Electronic assistant incorporated in personal objects
US6745786B1 (en) * 2002-05-31 2004-06-08 Rayneda Davis Walking aid with supplementary features
US6772778B2 (en) * 2002-10-01 2004-08-10 Rik M. Morosini Hiking stick and method of using the same
US20050211284A1 (en) * 2004-03-11 2005-09-29 Dooley David L Hiking and survival staff
US20070000531A1 (en) * 2005-06-21 2007-01-04 Russo Paul C Walking aid

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10136841B2 (en) 2014-03-24 2018-11-27 Can Mobilities, Inc. Multi-functional smart mobility aid devices and methods of use

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1943919A3 (fr) 2010-11-17

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