GB2404144A

GB2404144A - Walking stick with lighting operated by photo sensor

Info

Publication number: GB2404144A
Application number: GB0316718A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Cuckson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-07-17
Filing date: 2003-07-17
Publication date: 2005-01-26
Also published as: GB0316718D0

Abstract

A walking stick 2, comprising a shaft 6 and a handle 4, which can be engaged together via a threaded connection 16a, 16b, comprises illuminations means 10 disposed in the shaft that can be seen from each side of the shaft. The handle houses the rechargeable batteries 32, a circuit board 30, a buzzer 26 and a charger socket 14 for recharging the batteries on a docking port. The illumination means operation is partly controlled by a light level detection sensor comprising a light dependent resistor 12 which is located at a front section of the handle. The threshold of light that is needed on the sensor to activate or deactivate the illumination means can be graduated by a variable resistor 28. Preferably the circuit used to power the illumination means requires the additional the activation of a switch 24 actuated by a lever 25 when the user grips the handle, in order to prevent battery discharge when the user is not using the stick. The illumination means preferably consists of an axially-disposed helical pattern of LED diode lights 10. The buzzer is activated to warn the user of a low battery level.

Description

WALKING STICK

The present invention relates to walking sticks.

Walking sticks which have been fitted with a light emitting diode (LED) are known and consist of a handle and shaft section with the LED being fitted normally at the base of the shaft section. The LED is provided on the stick to illuminate at times when natural light is poor, for example, night-time, in order to make the stick and, hence, person using the stick more visible to traffic etc. The LED is powered by a battery which is normally fitted in the handle or in the upper section of the shaft.

However, problems associated with known walking sticks include the fact that the user must manually turn the LED on and off by a switch. Hence, it is often the case that the user, who may be elderly or visually impaired, may forget to turn the LED on, or may turn the LED on too late, for example, when it is dark. Similarly, the user is liable to forget to turn the LED off by the switch, which results in the battery running out of power very quickly.

In addition, the position of the LED at the base of the shaft is such that there will always be certain aspects or angles from which the LED will not be visible to an onlooker, for example, a driver of a car. Hence, the provision of the LED at the base of the walking stick is of little use.

It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to address the above problems and to provide a walking stick, which does not rely on the user to switch the LED on and off. In addition, the position of the LED on the walking stick is such that it is more visible to traffic thereby improving road safety for the user of the walking stick.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a walking stick comprising a shaft having illumination means, and a power source adapted to illuminate the illumination means, wherein when illuminated, the illumination means is visible from each side of the shaft.

Preferably, the walking stick comprises light detection means adapted to detect light and preferably, adapted to actuate the illumination means at a defined level of detected light.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a walking stick comprising a shaft having illumination means, a power source adapted to illuminate the illumination means, and light detection means adapted to detect light and actuate the illumination means at a defined level of detected light.

Preferably, when illuminated, the illumination means defined in the second aspect is visible from each side of the shaft.

Preferably, the illumination means is adapted to illuminate the shaft. The shaft may have a cross-section of any shape. For example, the shaft may be circular, oval, triangular or square in cross-section. By each side of the shaft, we mean each aspect of the shaft.

Preferably, the illumination means is visible from all sides of the walking stick, preferably 360 around a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Advantageously, and preferably, the arrangement of the illumination means so that it is visible from all sides around the shaft of the walking stick ensures that it is visible to an onlooker from any angle around the walking stick when illuminated. This reduces the likelihood of an accident occurring at dawn, dusk or at night when the visibility of the stick would normally be low.

The illumination means may be arranged as a layer or disc substantially around a circumference of the shaft.

Preferably, the illumination means is arranged along a longitudinal axis of the shaft. Preferably, the illumination means is spirally arranged around the shaft, preferably longitudinal axis thereof. Preferably, the illumination means is helically arranged about the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Preferably, the illumination means comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED) which are preferably, spaced apart around the circumference and/or longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Advantageously, and preferably, the arrangement of LEDs on the shaft of the walking stick ensures that at least one LED is visible to an onlooker from any angle around the walking stick when illuminated. This improves the likelihood that the illuminated walking stick and hence user, who may be bodily or visually impaired, will be seen by a third party when the natural light is poor, thereby reducing the likelihood of an accident.

Preferably, the walking stick further comprises a handle, which is preferably, removably attached to the shaft.

Preferably, the handle is adapted to threadedly engage with the shaft. Preferably, the handle comprises at least one battery cell, and more preferably, a plurality of battery cells. Preferably, the or each battery cell is rechargeable. Preferably, the power source comprises the or each battery cell.

Preferably, the light detection means comprises a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR). Preferably, the light detection means comprises a light sensor. Preferably, in use, the light detection means is spaced substantially away from the hand of the user, preferably disposed on a side section and preferably, a front section of the handle.

Advantageously, by placing the light detection means away from the hand of the user in use, the hand will not obscure the light detection means, which would incapacitate it.

Preferably, the power source is electrically connected to the light detection means. Preferably, the light detection means is adapted to form an electrical circuit with the power source and illumination means at a defined level of detected light.

Preferably, the handle comprises a resistor electrically connected to the light detection means. Preferably, the resistor is a variable resistor, which is preferably, adapted to alter the sensitivity of the light detection means. Advantageously, when the light levels surrounding the user decrease, the light detection means detects the decrease and, at a light level predetermined by the resistor, the light detection means is activated, thereby activating an electrical circuit. In this manner, advantageously, the user, who may be visually impaired, is not required to activate the circuit manually when light levels decrease; the activation is automatic and hence, very easy to use.

Preferably, the handle comprises activation means, which preferably, comprises a switch. Preferably, the switch is located substantially at a point which is gripped by the user, in use. Preferably, the activation means comprises a pressure-activated switch which is adapted to complete an electrical circuit upon depression by the user.

Preferably, the activation means is a micro-switch which comprises a lever adapted to depressed by the user.

Advantageously, the activation means is situated such that, when the user grips the handle, the switch is depressed and the circuit activated. Advantageously, the position of the switch eradicates the need to actively activate the circuit when the device is in use because it is automatically activated simply by gripping the handle and, hence, the switch is depressed. Furthermore, when the device is not in use, the user does not need to actively deactivate the circuit, thus preserving the battery life, because it is automatically deactivated simply by removing the grip on the handle and, hence, releasing the switch.

Preferably, the walking stick comprises first and second activation means. Preferably, the first activation means comprises the switch, and preferably the second activation means comprises the light detection means. Preferably, the first and second activation means need to be switched "on" for the illumination means to be on. For this condition to be met, the walking stick must be held by a user, and the light levels surrounding the user must be low.

Preferably, the handle comprises a resistor electrically connected to the illumination means. Preferably, the resistor is a variable resistor which is preferably, adapted to alter the brightness of the illumination means.

Advantageously, the resistor allows the user to alter the brightness of the LEDs depending on the environment in which the walking stick is used.

Preferably, the walking stick is adapted to be recharged.

Preferably, the handle comprises a charger socket.

Preferably, the handle is adapted to be mounted in a handle docking port to actuate said recharging.

Preferably, the walking stick, preferably, the handle comprises an alarm, which may be a buzzer and/or vibrator or the like. Preferably, the alarm is adapted to detect low battery levels of the walking stick. Advantageously, when the battery levels deplete to a low level, the buzzer/vibrator is activated, thereby alerting the user to the need to recharge the said batteries.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a docking port for use with a walking stick as defined in either the first or second aspect, the docking port adapted to recharge the power source of the said walking stick.

Preferably, the docking port is wall-mountable.

Preferably, the docking port has a recess adapted to receive the walking stick, preferably, the handle thereof.

Preferably, the docking port comprises charging means.

Preferably, the charging means is adapted to engage with the charger socket of the handle.

Preferably, the docking port may be plugged into an electricity supply which is preferably, a home output electricity socket.

All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a walking stick) Figure 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a handle section of the walking stick shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of electrical connections in the walking stick; Figure 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view along axis A-A shown in Figure 3 of the walking stick; and Figure 5 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the shaft section of the walking stick shown in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a walking stick 2 consisting of a handle 4 connected to shaft 6. At the base of the shaft 6 there is a foot 8. A series of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 10 are fitted along the shaft 6 in a spiral arrangement as can be seen in Figure 1 and Figure 5. The LEDs 10 are powered by batteries 32 which are provided in the handle 4 of the walking stick 2 as shown in Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 1, the walking stick 2 is also provided with a light dependent resistor (LDR) 12 fitted to the handle 4 which controls when the LEDs 10 are turned on and off, depending on the environment in which the walking stick 2 is in. The LDR 12 monitors the surroundings and switches the LEDs 10 on when it gets dark or, for example, at dusk and night-time. When dawn breaks and light levels increase, the LDR 12 detects the increase and switches the LEDs 10 off.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown the electrical components inside the handle 4 of the walking stick 2.

The LDR 12 which is provided at the front of the handle 4 is protected by a plastic shield 18 which extends therearound. The LDR 12 is electrically connected to a circuit board 30 which monitors light input through the LDR 12 and controls the illumination of the LEDs 10. The brightness of the LEDs 10 is controlled by a variable resister 28. The LDR 12 is adjustable by a variable resister 22 to determine at what light levels the circuit is activated.

The battery pack 32 provided in the handle 4 is rechargeable and this is made possible by providing the handle 2 with a battery recharging system which includes a recharger socket 14 which is connected to the circuit board 30, and a recharger switch 20 which is connected to the circuit board 30. The circuit board 30 monitors the amount of charge in the battery pack 32 and, when the charge has reduced to a minimum level, an alarm signal, for example, a buzzing sound or a vibration, is emitted via a buzzer/ vibrator 26 provided on the handle 4.

The operator will then know that the battery pack 32 requires recharging which is simply carried out by plugging the charger socket 14 of the handle 4 into a recharger (not shown) whereupon the battery pack 32 is recharged such that the walking stick 2 can be used again.

As shown in Figure 2, the handle 4 has a micro-switch 24 in the upper section thereof which is connected to a lever which extends adjacent the micro-switch 24. The lever is provided to actuate said micro-switch 24 when in use. Upon gripping the handle 4, the user depresses the lever 25 and thereby actuates the micro-switch 24 thereunder, and automatically activates the circuit. In this way, the LEDs 10 are only illuminated when the handle 4 of the walking stick 2 is being gripped by the user.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown an enlarged view of the electrical connections inside the walking stick 2. A brass connector 16a is shown attached at the lower end of the handle 4. The connector 16a has a protruding cylindrical member, which is externally threaded 40 around its circumference. The connector 16a has a wire 38 attached thereto, which is in electrical contact with the circuit board 30.

A brass connector 16b is shown attached at the upper end of the shaft 6. The connector 16b has a recess, which is internally threaded 40. The handle 4 and the shaft 6 are therefore connected by screwing the connectors 16a, 16b together by virtue of their threaded portions 40.

A brass pin 54 having a shaft portion 54a and an end portion 54b extends longitudinally through a central region of the connector 16a, and is isolated from the threaded circumference by a nylon plug 36. The end section 54b of the pin 54H distal to the batteries 32 flares to a greater diameter than the shaft portion 54a of the pin 54 and has a concave base. The pin 54 is slidably mounted within the nylon plug 36, but is forced in the direction of the shaft 6 by a spring 52. The pin 54 is attached to a wire 58, which carries charge from the circuit board and batteries 32.

A brass pin 46 having shaft section 46a and end section 46b extends longitudinally from the shaft 6 into a recess of the connector 16b. The pin 46 is held in place by a nylon disk 48 at the base of the recess. The end section 46bof the pin 46H distal to the foot 8 has a greater diameter than the shaft section 46a and is convex in shape. The pin 46 is connected to an isolated brass bar 42, which extends longitudinally down the length of the shaft 6. The LEDs 10 are in electrical contact with, and arranged around, the bar 42. The end of the bar 42 proximal to the foot 8, is electrically connected to an isolated copper bar 44 which extends longitudinally back up the length of the shaft 6. A wire 50 is attached to the bar 44 and is attached to the connector 16b.

When the brass connectors 16a, 16b are screwed together, the pin 54 of the connector 16a is urged against the pin 46 of the connector 16b by virtue of the spring 52 forcing the pin 54 onto the pin 46. The concave end portion 54baf the pin 54 engages with the convex end section 46b of the pin 46. In this way, an electrical connection between the pin 54 and the pin 46 is established. Also, an electrical connection is made between the wire 38, which is attached to the connector 16a, and the wire 50, which is attached to the connector 16b. Therefore, to complete the circuit, the charge is passed from the circuit board 30, through the wire 58, the pin 52, the pin 46, the bar 42, each of the LEDs 10, the bar 44, the wire 50 and back to the circuit board 30.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a cross-sectional view along axis AA shown in Figure 3. The brass pin 46 is separated from the connector 16b by the nylon plug 36 and the nylon disk 48.

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown an enlarged cross- sectional view of the shaft 6 of the walking stick 2. The LEDs 10 are spirally arranged around a central region of the shaft 6. There is also shown a foot 8 connected to the base of the shaft 6.

A first advantage of the walking stick 2 resides in the spiral arrangement of the LEDs 10 around the shaft 6 such that when they are illuminated, they are visible from every aspect, or 360 around the shaft 6. The illuminated shaft 6 ensures that the user of the walking stick 2 can be seen by others, regardless of where they are situated with respect to the walking stick 2. The illuminated shaft 6 is particularly advantageous when used in busy urban locations where the illuminations are easily visible to drivers of cars, motorbikes etc. and thus accidents may be averted.

Further advantages of the walking stick 2 are that the LEDs 10 do not require a conscious user input to illuminate them. The provision of the LDR 12 and the lever 25 results in the LEDs being illuminated when two conditions are met. Firstly, the lever 25 must be depressed thus activating the micro switch 24. This is automatically achieved when the walking stick 2 is in use by the user gripping the handle 4. Secondly, the LDR 12 must detect that surrounding light levels have dropped below a predetermined level. This too is an automatic response. Therefore, the LEDs 10 in the shaft 6 illuminate automatically when in use in low light levels.

In addition, when the charge of the batteries 32 depletes to a low level, the buzzer/vibrator 26 provided on the handle 4 buzzes/vibrates to inform the user that the unit needs recharging. The user is therefore less likely to use the walking stick 2 when the batteries are without charge.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. lit

Claims

1. A walking stick comprising a shaft having illumination means, and a power source adapted to illuminate the illumination means, wherein when illuminated, the illumination means is visible from each side of the shaft.

2. A walking stick as claimed in claim 1, further comprising light detection means adapted to detect light.

3. A walking stick as claimed in claim 2, wherein the light detection means is adapted to actuate the illumination means at a defined level of detected light.

4. A walking stick comprising a shaft having illumination means, a power source adapted to illuminate the illumination means, and light detection means adapted to detect light and actuate the illumination means at a defined level of detected light.

5. A walking stick as claimed in claim 4, wherein the illumination means is visible from each side of the shaft.

6. A walking stick as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination means is adapted to illuminate the shaft.

7. A walking stick as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shaft may have a cross-section of any shape. /

8. A walking stick as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination means is visible from all sides of the walking stick.

9. A walking stick as claimed in claim 8, wherein 3600 around a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

10. A walking stick as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination means may be arranged as lo a layer or disc substantially around a circumference of the shaft.

11. A walking stick as claimed in claim 10, wherein the illumination means is arranged along a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

12. A walking stick as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the illumination means is spirally arranged around the shaft and longitudinal axis thereof.

13. A walking stick as claimed in claim 12, wherein the illumination means is spirally arranged around the shaft and longitudinal axis thereof.

14. A walking stick as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination means comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED).

15. A walking stick as claimed in claim 14, wherein the light emitting diode (LED) is spaced apart around the circumference and/or longitudinal axis of the shaft. lL

16. A walking stick as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a handle which is removably attached to the shaft and is adapted to threadedly engage with the shaft.

17. A walking stick as claimed in claim 16, wherein the handle comprises at least one battery cell.

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18. A walking stick as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 17, wherein the light detection means is spaced substantially away from the hand of the user, at a front section of the handle.

19. A walking stick as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power source is electrically connected to the light detection means.

20. A walking stick as claimed in claim 19, wherein the light detection means is adapted to form an electrical circuit with the power source and illumination means at a defined level of detected light.

21. A walking stick as claimed in claims 16 to 20, wherein the handle comprises a resistor electrically connected to the light detection means.

22. A walking stick as claimed in claims 16 to 21, wherein the handle comprises activation means, which comprise a switch located substantially at a point which is gripped by the user, in use. lo

23. A walking stick as claimed in claim 22, wherein the activation means comprises a pressure-activated switch which is adapted to complete an electrical circuit upon depression by the user.

24. A walking stick as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 23, wherein the handle comprises a resistor electrically connected to the illumination means.

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25. A walking stick as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the walking stick is adapted to be recharged.

26. A walking stick as claimed in claim 25, wherein the handle comprises a charger socket.

27. A walking stick as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the walking stick comprises an alarm, which may be a buzzer and/or vibrator or the like.

28. A docking port for use with a walking stick as defined in any one of the preceding claims, the docking port adapted to recharge the power source of the said walking stick.

29. A walking stick as claimed in claim 28, wherein the docking port has a recess adapted to receive the walking stick, and the docking port comprises charging means.

30. A walking stick substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.