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EP-4057977-B1 - WALKING SUPPORTING DEVICE

EP4057977B1EP 4057977 B1EP4057977 B1EP 4057977B1EP-4057977-B1

Inventors

  • BRIGNONE, Renato

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20201110

Claims (5)

  1. Walking supporting device (1) comprising: - at least one gripping section (2) extending along a first direction of extension (A), intended to be grasped, in use, by the user of said device (1) and provided with a pair of extreme portions (3) substantially opposite each other; - at least one holding section (4) extending along a second direction of extension (B) substantially transverse relative to said first direction of extension (A), intended to hold, in use, at least partly the user's arm and associated with one of said extreme portions (3); - at least one supporting section (5) on the ground extending along a third direction of extension (6) substantially transverse relative to said first direction of extension (A) and associated with the other of said extreme portions (3); - adjustment means (6, 7) for adjusting the inclination of at least one of either said gripping section (2), said holding section (4) or said supporting section (5) relative to at least another of said sections (2, 4, 5) in continuity between a plurality of positions of use; wherein said adjustment means (6, 7) comprise at least: - an adjustment unit (6) placed between said holding section (4) and said gripping section (2) and adapted to rotate at least one of the latter relative to the other around an axis of adjustment (E) substantially orthogonal to said first and to said second direction of extension (A, B); - a variation unit (7) placed between said supporting section (5) and said gripping section (2) and adapted to rotate at least one of the latter relative to the other around an axis of variation (F) substantially orthogonal to said first and to said third direction of extension (A, C); wherein said adjustment unit (6) comprises at least a first connecting portion (8) and at least a second connecting portion (9) obtained on said gripping section (2) and said holding section (4) respectively and coupled to each other movable in rotation between said plurality of positions of use; wherein said variation unit (7) comprises at least a first coupling portion (14) and at least a second coupling portion (15) obtained on said gripping section (2) and on said supporting section (5) respectively and coupled movable in rotation to each other between said plurality of positions of use; wherein said adjustment unit (6) comprises: - a plurality of reliefs (12) made on said first connecting portion (8), arranged in a radial pattern and centered with respect to said axis of adjustment (E); - a plurality of grooves made on said second connecting portion (9), arranged in a radial pattern and centered with respect to said axis of adjustment (E); said reliefs (12) and said grooves having a complementary conformation between them and being coupleable in a removable manner to each other to prevent the mutual rotation of said connecting portions (8, 9); wherein said variation unit (7) comprises: - a plurality of projections made on said first coupling portion (14), arranged in a radial pattern and centered with respect to said axis of variation (F); - a plurality of recesses (19) made on said second coupling portion (15), arranged in a radial pattern and centered with respect to said axis of variation (F); said projections and said recesses (19) having a complementary shape to each other and being adapted to be coupled with each other in a removable manner to prevent said coupling portions (14, 15) from mutually rotating.
  2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said first, said second and said third directions of extension (A, B, C) lie on an unique laying surface.
  3. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said adjustment unit (6) comprises at least one locking element (11) of said first and said second connecting portion (8, 9) in said positions of use, said locking element (11) being movable between an adjustment configuration, wherein said first and said second connecting portions (8, 9) are free to rotate relative to each other respectively between said positions of use, and at least one locking configuration, wherein said first and said second connecting portion (8, 9) are coupled together in a fixed manner in one of said positions of use.
  4. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said variation unit (7) comprises at least one fastening element (17) of said first and said second coupling portion (14, 15) in said positions of use, said fastening element (17) being movable between a variation configuration, wherein said first and said second coupling portion (14, 15) are free to rotate relative to each other respectively between said positions of use, and at least one fastening configuration, wherein said first and said second coupling portion (14, 15) are coupled together in a fixed manner in one of said positions of use.
  5. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that at least one of either said gripping section (2), said holding section (4) or said supporting section (5) comprise at least one pair of tubular bodies (20) telescopically coupled together to allow the extension of at least one of either said gripping section (2), said holding section (4) or said supporting section (5) along said first direction of extension (A), said second direction of extension (B) and said third direction of extension (C), respectively.

Description

Technical Field The present invention relates to a walking supporting device. Background Art Different types of walking supporting devices are known having different shapes and sizes according to the user's needs. Generally, the walking supporting devices of known type comprise a walking stick, a forearm support, or antibrachial support, and a handle. In addition, very frequently the walking stick and the antibrachial support extend along their respective axes, are consecutive and form an obtuse angle between them. The handle, on the other hand, extends from the joining point between the stick and the antibrachial support in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the walking stick. Generally, the walking sticks are adjustable in height and the antibrachial supports are available in different sizes. In addition, the patent document MI2012A000816 discloses walking supporting devices that comprise adjustment means for adjusting the inclination of the walking stick and of the antibrachial support relative to the handle. However, the walking supporting device described in document MI2012A000816 provides for the use of inclination adjustment means provided with angular brackets having different shapes from each other and adapted to be mounted between the walking stick and the handle. Therefore, to vary the inclination of the walking stick and of the handle, the user must disassemble these and replace the angular bracket with another one with a different shape. As a result, the adjustment of the inclination of this type of device is discontinuous and particularly complex. Therefore, the walking supporting devices of known type are susceptible to improvements related to the degree of adjustment of the device itself. In fact, the degrees of freedom with which the walking supporting devices of known type may be adjusted are particularly limited and complex to use. As a result, the walking supporting devices of known type do not meet the stability and load distribution requirements of users depending on the comfort, mode of use and physical characteristics of the users themselves. Therefore, this type of walking supporting devices greatly increases the user's fatigue and risk of falling. WO 2013/168144 A2 discloses an adjustable crutch that includes a handgrip extending along a first axis, a forearm support provided with a stem which extends along a second axis and is connected to a rear end of the handgrip, a support pole extending along a third axis and connected to a front end of the handgrip, and adjusting members configured to adjust an angular position of at least one of the support pole and the forearm support with respect to the handgrip. US 10 258 533 B1 discloses a foldable crutch that includes an upper rod having a pad portion on a top end thereof and a first coupling portion at a bottom end thereof, a handle disposed on the upper rod, a lower rod including an upper end having a second coupling portion mounted to the first coupling portion, a turn knob mounted to the first coupling portion, an axle extending through the first and second coupling portions and pivotably connected to the turn knob, and an elastic element biases the first and second coupling portions to disengage the positioning member from the at least one positioning groove when the turn knob is in the unlocking position. US 2 409 365 A discloses a crutch design with a support pole, handgrip, and underarm support, featuring adjustable height via telescoping sections and angular adjustments through pivot joints or clamps at connections, allowing rotation and locking for user comfort. Description of the Invention The main aim of the present invention is to devise a walking supporting device that allows increasing the degrees of freedom of adjustment of the device itself relative to those of known type. A further object of the present invention is to devise a walking supporting device that can be adjusted depending on the specific needs of the users, e.g. in terms of comfort, use and physical characteristics of the users themselves. A further object of the present invention is to devise a walking supporting device that can be adjusted more comfortably and easily than the devices of known type. Another object of the present invention is to devise a walking supporting device that allows overcoming the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art within a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and affordable solution. The objects set out above are achieved by the present walking supporting device having the characteristics of claim 1. The present invention provides a walking supporting device according to claim 1. Brief Description of the Drawings Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a walking supporting device, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the attached tables of drawings in which: Figu