U.S. patent application number 14/289120 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-23 for chair-convertible walking stick.
The applicant listed for this patent is Chih-Ting Pao. Invention is credited to Chih-Ting Pao.
Application Number | 20150107636 14/289120 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51394988 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150107636 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pao; Chih-Ting |
April 23, 2015 |
CHAIR-CONVERTIBLE WALKING STICK
Abstract
A chair-convertible walking stick includes a stick shank, a
collar sleeve movable between distal and proximate positions on the
stick shank, a carrier slidable between upper and lower positions
on the stick shank, and a seat unit. The seat unit includes a
middle portion pivotally connected to the collar sleeve, and left
and right wing portions hinged to the middle portion. When the
collar sleeve is displaced from the distal position to the
proximate position, the seat unit is convertible from a use state,
where middle portion is coplanar with the left and right wing
portions, to a collapsed state, where the middle portion is at an
included angle with each of the left and right wing portions.
Inventors: |
Pao; Chih-Ting; (Taichung
City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Pao; Chih-Ting |
Taichung City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
51394988 |
Appl. No.: |
14/289120 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/66 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/66 |
International
Class: |
A45B 5/00 20060101
A45B005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 23, 2013 |
TW |
102219730 |
Claims
1. A chair-convertible walking stick, comprising: a stick shank
extending in a lengthwise direction to terminate at a grip end and
a foot end; a collar sleeve sleeved on said stick shank and movable
between distal and proximate positions relative to said grip end; a
carrier configured to be slidable on said stick shank and movable
between upper and lower positions; a seat unit including, a middle
portion extending in a longitudinal direction to terminate at a
forward edge and a rearward edge which is pivotally connected to
said collar sleeve, and left and right wing portions each being
juxtaposed with said middle portion along a hinge line, and each
being hinged to said middle portion at the respective hinge line
such that when said collar sleeve is displaced from the distal
position to the proximate position, said seat unit is convertible
from a use state, where said middle portion is coplanar with said
left and right wing portions, to a collapsed state, where said
middle portion is at an included angle with each of said left and
right wing portions; two keyways each being disposed on an under
surface of a corresponding one of said left and right wing
portions, and each extending along the longitudinal direction to
terminate at front and rear keyway ends; two bracing bars each
baring a pivot end pivotally connected to said carrier, and a key
end configured to be slidably engaged with a corresponding one of
said keyways such that when said key end slides from said front
keyway end of a respective one of said keyways to said rear keyway
end of the respective one of said keyways, said seat unit is
converted from the use state to the collapsed state; and two prop
legs each extending to terminate at a bottom end for standing on
the ground, and a pivoted end pivotally connected to said carrier,
said two prop legs being convertible between a straddling position,
where said bottom ends of said prop legs are remote from said stick
shank, and an upheld position, where said bottom ends are close to
said stick shank such that when said collar sleeve is displaced
from the distal position to the proximate position, said prop legs
are permitted to move from the straddling position to the upheld
position.
2. The chair-convertible walking stick of claim 1, further
comprising two strut members each having a sleeve-side end
pivotally connected to said collar sleeve, and a bar-side end
pivotally connected to a corresponding one of said bracing bars
between said pivot end and said key end of the corresponding one of
said bracing bars so as to facilitate sliding of said key end
between said front and rear keyway ends of the respective one of
said key-ways.
3. The chair-convertible walking stick of claim 2, further
comprising first and second retaining members respectively disposed
to prevent said collar sleeve and said carrier from moving toward
said foot end and to permit said collar sleeve and said carrier to
be retained at the distal and lower positions, respectively.
4. The chair-convertible walking stick of claim 3, further
comprising a third retaining member disposed to prevent said collar
sleeve from moving toward said foot end and to permit said collar
sleeve to be retained at the proximate position.
5. The chair-convertible walking stick of claim 4, further
comprising, a third biasing member disposed to bias said collar
sleeve toward said carrier with a third biasing force, such that
when said collar sleeve is subjected to a manual pulling force to
be thereby displaced to a second transit position, where the manual
pulling force counteracts the third biasing force, said carrier is
displaced to the upper position, and such that when said collar
sleeve is subsequently displaced to the proximate position and is
retained thereat by said third retaining member, said seat unit is
converted from the use state to the collapsed state.
6. The chair-convertible walking stick of claim 2, wherein said
front keyway end is disposed remote from the respective hinged
line, and said rear keyway end is disposed close to the respective
hinged line so as to facilitate conversion of said seat unit from
the use state to the collapsed state.
7. The chair-convertible walking stick of claim 2, further
comprising two key assemblies each of which includes an engageable
key unit configured to be slidably and rotatably engaged with the
corresponding one of said keyways, and a pivotable key unit which
is configured to be pivotally connected to said engageable key unit
about a pivot axis, and which is configured to be pivotally
connected to said key end of the corresponding one of said bracing
bars.
8. The chair-convertible walking stick of claim 7, wherein said
engageable key unit includes: a key seat formed with an insertion
hole, a key stem extending in a lengthwise axis to terminate at a
connected end and a free end, and configured to be inserted in said
insertion hole so as to permit said key seat to rotate about the
lengthwise axis which is perpendicular to the pivot axis, a key
head connected, to said connected end of said key stem and
displaceable between a first key position, where said key head is
in a high-friction engagement with the corresponding one of said
keyways, and a second key position, where said key head is in a
low-friction engagement with the corresponding one of said keyways,
and a fourth biasing member sleeved on said key stem and disposed
between said key seat and said key head to bias said key head to
the first key position.
9. The chair-convertible walking stick of claim 2, wherein each of
said prop legs includes upper and lower segments which are linked
to each other, and which respectively have said pivoted end and
said bottom end, such that when said prop legs are in the
straddling position, said upper and lower segments are in an
unfolded state, and when said prop legs are in the upheld position,
said upper and lower segments are in a folded state.
10. The chair-convertable walking stick of claim 9, further
comprising two linking members each having an upper linking end
pivotally connected to said collar sleeve, and a lower linking end
pivotally connected to said pivoted end of a respective one of said
prop legs so as to facilitate displacement of each of said prop
legs between the straddling position and the upheld position.
11. The chair-convertible waiting stick of claim 9, wherein said
seat unit is configured such that when in the collapsed state, said
left and right wing portions are disposed angularly about said
stick shank and define a gap therebetween, said gap being opposite
to said middle portion, relative to said stick shank, and being
configured to accommodate said prop legs therein when said prop
legs are displaced to the upheld position.
12. The chair-convertible walking stick of claim 2, wherein said
carrier includes a hub body having an inner tabular surface
slidably engaged with said slick shank, and an outer anchoring
surface which is opposite to said inner tubular surface in radial
directions, and which is configured to permit said bracing bars and
said prop legs to be pivotally connected thereto.
13. The chair-convertible walking stick of claim 12, wherein said
bracing bars and said prop legs are opposite to each other relative
to said stick shank, when the seat unit is in the use state.
14. The chair-convertable walking stick of claim 12, wherein said
inner tubular surface is configured to have a groove region for
passage of said first retaining member therethrough and a raised
region that abuts against said second retaining member when said
carrier is displaced to the lower position.
15. The chair-convertible walking stick of claim 2, wherein said
chair-convertible walking stick further comprises a fifth biasing
member disposed adjacent to said rearward edge of said middle
portion of said seat unit to bias said seat unit from the collapsed
state to the use state.
16. A chair-convertible walking stick, comprising: a stick shank
extending in a lengthwise direction to terminate at a grip end and
a foot end; a collar sleeve sleeved on said stick shank and movable
between distal and proximate positions relative to said grip end; a
carrier configured to be slidable on said stick shank and movable
between upper and lower positions; a seat unit including, a middle
portion extending in a longitudinal direction to terminate at a
forward edge and a rearward edge which is pivotally connected to
said collar sleeve, and left and right wing portions each being
juxtaposed with said middle portion along a hinge line, and each
being hinged to said middle portion at the respective hinge line
such that when said collar sleeve is displaced from the distal
position, to the proximate position, said seat unit is convertible
from a use state, where said middle portion is coplanar with said
left and right wing portions, to a collapsed state, where said
middle portion is at an included angle with each of said left and
right wing portions; two keyways each being disposed on an under
surface of a corresponding one of said left and right wing
portions, and each extending along the longitudinal direction to
terminate at front and rear keyway ends; and two bracing bars each
baring a pivot end connected to said carrier, and a key end
configured to be slidably engaged with a corresponding one of said
keyways such that when said key end slides from said front keyway
end of a respective one of said keyways to said rear keyway end of
the respective one of said keyways, said seat unit is converted
from the use state to the collapsed state.
17. The chair-convertible walking stick of claim 16, further
comprising two strut members each having a sleeve-side end
pivotally connected to said collar sleeve, and a bar-side end
pivotally connected to a corresponding one of said bracing bars
between said pivot end and said key end of the corresponding one of
said bracing bars so as to facilitate sliding of said key end
between said front and rear keyway ends of the respective one of
said keyways.
18. The chair-convertible walking stick of claim 17, further
comprising two key assemblies each of which includes an engageable
key unit configured to be slidably and rotatably engaged with the
corresponding one of said keyways, and a pivotable key unit which
is configured to be pivotally connected to said engageable key unit
about a pivot axis, and which is configured to be pivotally
connected to said key end of the corresponding one of said bracing
bars.
19. The chair-convertible walking stick of claim 17, wherein said
chair-convertible walking stick further comprises a fifth biasing
member disposed adjacent to said rearward edge of said middle
portion of said seat unit to bias said seat unit from the collapsed
state to the use state.
20. The chair-convertible walking stick of claim 17, further
comprising, a third biasing member disposed to bias said collar
sleeve toward said carrier with a third biasing force, such that
when said collar sleeve is subjected to a manual pulling force to
be thereby displaced to a second transit position, where the manual
pulling force counteracts the third biasing force, said carrier is
displaced to the upper position, and such that when, said collar
sleeve is subsequently displaced to the proximate position and is
retained thereat, said seat unit is converted from the use state to
the collapsed state.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of Taiwanese application
no. 102219730, filed on Oct. 23, 2013.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a chair-convertible walking
stick.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 2,380,437 discloses a crutch assembly which
includes a crutch and a foldable seat. One problem with the crutch
assembly is that when the seat is in its folded position, a
mechanism for supporting the seat, such as supporting legs, etc.,
is not compactly folded and is exposed to the user, so that the
user may easily get hurt by the folded supporting mechanism. U.S.
Pat. No. 3,999,565 discloses a walking stick device in which a
support member for supporting the wounded knee or leg is fastened
to a standard/body in a retractable fashion. The walking stick
device may encounter the similar problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a
chair-convertible walking stick in which a seat unit can be
transformed from a use state to a collapsed state by virtue of a
novel conversion mechanism. With the novel conversion mechanism,
when a person uses the chair-convertible walking stick of this
invention with the seat unit in the collapsed state, he/she is less
likely to get hurt by the walking stick.
[0007] According to this invention, a chair-convertible walking
stick includes: [0008] a stick shank extending in a lengthwise
direction to terminate at a grip end and a foot end; [0009] a
collar sleeve sleeved on the stick shank and movable between distal
and proximate positions relative to the grip end; [0010] a carrier
configured to be slidable on the stick shank and movable between
upper and lower positions; [0011] a seat unit including, a middle
portion extending in a longitudinal direction to terminate at a
forward edge and a rearward edge which is pivotally connected to
the collar sleeve, and left and right wing portions each being
juxtaposed with the middle portion along a hinge line, and each
being hinged to the middle portion at the respective hinge line
such that when the collar sleeve is displaced from the distal
position to the proximate position, the seat unit is convertible
from a use state, where the middle portion is coplanar with the
left and right wing portions, to a collapsed state, where the
middle portion is at an included angle with each of the left and
right wing portions; [0012] two keyways each being disposed on an
under surface of a corresponding one of the left and right wing
portions, and each extending along the longitudinal direction to
terminate at front and rear keyway ends; [0013] two bracing bars
each having a pivot end pivotally connected to the carrier, and a
key end configured to be slidably engaged with a corresponding one
of the keyways such that when the key end slides from the front key
way end of a respective one of the key ways to the rear keyway end
of the respective one of the key ways, the seat unit is converted
from the use state to the collapsed state; [0014] two prop legs
each extending to terminate at a bottom end for standing on the
ground, and a pivoted end pivotally connected to the carrier, the
two prop legs being convertible between a straddling position,
where the bottom ends of the prop legs are remote from the stick
shank, and an upheld position, where the bottom ends are close to
the stick shank such that when the collar sleeve is displaced from
the distal position to the proximate position, the prop legs are
permitted to move from the straddling position to the upheld
position; and [0015] first and second retaining members
respectively disposed to prevent the collar sleeve and the carrier
from moving toward the foot end and to permit the collar sleeve and
the carrier to be retained at the distal and lower positions,
respectively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent in the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair-convertible walking
stick according to a first preferred embodiment of this invention,
where a seat unit of the chair-convertible waiting stick is in a
use state;
[0018] FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, showing that the seat unit of
the chair-convertable walking stick is in a collapsed state;
[0019] FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 1, showing that the seat unit of
the chair-convertible walking stick is in a state between the use
state and the collapsed state, some elements in the right side of
the walking stick being omitted for clarify;
[0020] FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 2 but with some elements in the
right side of the walking stick omitted;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the seat unit when the seat unit
is in the use state;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a side view of the walking stick when the seat
unit is in the use state;
[0023] FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6, showing that the seat unit is
in a state between the use state and the collapsed state;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of the seat unit when the seat
unit is in the use state;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a carrier in the walking
stick;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a fragmentary partly sectional view of the
walking stick, showing a key assembly and a keyway in an engaged
state;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary bottom view of the seat unit;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary partly sectional view of the
walking stick, showing a third retaining member for retaining a
collar sleeve in a proximate position;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a side view of a chair-convertible walking stick
according to a second preferred embodiment of this invention, where
a seat unit is in a state between a use state and a collapsed
state;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a
chair-convertible walking slick according to a third preferred
embodiment of this invention; and
[0031] FIG. 15 is an exploded view, showing a fifth biasing member
in a chair-convertible walking slick according to a fourth
preferred embodiment of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Before the present invention is described in greater detail,
it should be noted herein that same reference numerals are used to
denote like elements throughout the specfication.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, a chair-convertible walking stick
according to a first preferred embodiment of this invention
includes a supporting unit 1, a conversion mechanism 2, a seat unit
3, and first and second retaining members 13, 14. The supporting
unit 1 includes a stick shank 11, a grip 112, and two prop legs 12.
The conversion mechanism 2 includes a collar sleeve 22, a carrier
21, two keyways 33, and two bracing bars 23.
[0034] The stick shank 11 extends in a lengthwise direction (X) to
terminate at opposite grip and foot ends 113, 114. The grip 112 is
connected to the grip end 113.
[0035] The collar sleeve 22 is sleeved on the stick shank 11 and is
movable between distal and proximate positions, relative to the
grip end 113.
[0036] The carrier 21 is slidable on the stick shank 11, and is
movable between an upper position, where the collar sleeve 22 is
moved to the proximate position, and a lower position, where the
collar sleeve 22 is moved to the distal position.
[0037] The seat unit 3 includes a middle portion 31 and left and
right wing portions 32. The middle portion 31 extends in a
longitudinal direction (L) to terminate at a forward edge 312 and a
rearward edge 311 which is pivotally connected to the collar sleeve
22. Each of the left and right wing portions 32 is hinged to the
middle portion 31 along a hinge line 313, and is juxtaposed with
the middle portion 31 along the respective hinge line 313. When the
collar sleeve 22 is displaced from the distal position to the
proximate position, the seat unit 3 is convertible from a use
state, where the middle portion 31 is coplanar with the left and
right wing portions 32 (as best shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6), to a
collapsed state, where the middle portion 31 is at an included
angle with each of the left and right wing portions 32 (as best
shown in FIGS. 2 and 4).
[0038] Each of the two keyways 33 is disposed on an under surface
of a corresponding one of the left and right wing portions 32, and
extends along the longitudinal direction (L) to terminate at front
and rear keyway ends 331, 332. The front keyway end 331 is disposed
remote from the respective hinged line 313, and the rear keyway end
332 is disposed close to the respective hinged line 313 so as to
facilitate conversion of the seat unit 3 from the use state to the
collapsed state.
[0039] Each of the two bracing bars 23 has a pivot end 231
pivotally connected to the carrier 21, and a key end 232 configured
to be slidably engaged with a corresponding one of the keyways 33
such that when the key end 232 slides from the respective front
keyway end 331 to the respective rear keyway end 332, the seat unit
3 is transformed from the use state to the collapsed state.
[0040] Each of the two prop legs 12 has a bottom end 124 for
standing on the ground, and a pivoted end 125 pivotally connected
to the carrier 21. The prop legs 12 are convertible between a
straddling position (FIGS. 1 and 6), where the bottom ends 124 of
the prop legs 12 are remote from the stick shank 11, and an upheld
position (FIGS. 2 and 4), where the bottom ends 124 are close to
the stick shank 11. When the collar sleeve 22 is displaced from the
distal position to the proximate position, the prop legs 12 are
permitted to move from the straddling position to the upheld
position.
[0041] As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, when the walking stick is
used as a chair, i.e., when the seat unit 3 is in the use state,
the bracing bars 23 and the prop legs 12 are opposite to each other
relative to the stick shank 11.
[0042] In this embodiment, each of the prop legs 12 includes upper
and lower segments 121, 122 which are linked to each other. The
upper segment 121 has the respective pivoted end 125, and the lower
segment 122 has the respective bottom end 124. When the prop legs
12 are in the straddling position, the upper and lower segments
121, 122 are in an unfolded state, and when the prop legs 12 are in
the upheld position, the upper and lower segments 121, 122 are in a
folded state.
[0043] The first and second retaining members 13, 14 are
respectively disposed to prevent the collar sleeve 22 and the
carrier 21 from moving toward the foot end 114 and to retain the
collar sleeve 22 and the carrier 21 at the distal and lower
positions, respectively.
[0044] Preferably, the walking stick further includes a third
retaining member 28 which is disposed to prevent the collar sleeve
22 from moving toward the foot end 114 and to permit the collar
sleeve 22 to be retained at the proximate position.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, the walking stick further includes first
and second biasing members 27, 26. The first biasing member 27 is
disposed to bias the collar sleeve 22 toward the first retaining
member 13 by virtue of a first biasing force. The second biasing
member 26 is disposed to bias the carrier 21 toward the second
retaining member 14 by virtue of a second biasing force. When the
collar sleeve 22 is subjected to a manual pulling force and is
thereby displaced to a first transit position (not shown), where
the manual pulling force counteracts the first and second biasing
forces and gravity of the carrier 21 and the collar sleeve 22, the
seat unit 3 is convertible from the use state to the collapsed
state, and such that when the collar sleeve 22 is subsequently
displaced to the proximate position and is retained thereat by the
third retaining member 28, the carrier 21 is displaced to the upper
position.
[0046] The stick shank 11 is formed with a lengthwise-extending
groove 111. The first biasing member 27 is disposed in the
lengthwise-extending groove 111 and has two ends respectively
connected to the collar sleeve 22 and a groove-defining wall at a
first position that is located between the first and second
retaining members 13, 14. The second biasing member 26 is also
disposed in the lengthwise-extending groove 111, and has two ends
respectively connected to the carrier 21 and the groove-defining
wall at a second position that is located between the second
retaining member 14 and the foot end 114. In this embodiment, the
stick shank 11 is formed with four lengthwise-extending grooves 111
which are angularly displaced apart from each other, and each of
which has the first and second biasing members 27, 26.
[0047] Referring further to FIG. 1, when the seat unit 3 is in the
use state for sitting, the collar sleeve 22 is displaced to the
distal position, the carrier 21 is displaced to the lower position,
the key end 232 of each bracing bar 23 is slid to the respective
front keyway end 331, and the prop legs 12 are displaced to the
straddling position.
[0048] Referring further to FIGS. 2 and 4, when the seat unit 3 is
in the collapsed state for assisting walking, the collar sleeve 22
is displaced to the proximate position, the carrier 21 is displaced
to the upper position, the key end 232 of each bracing bar 23 is
slid to the respective rear keyway end 332, and the prop legs 12
are displaced to the upheld position.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 12, in this preferred embodiment, the
collar sleeve 22 is formed with a hole 221, and the third retaining
member 28 includes a button 222 and a biasing spring 230 which is
disposed to urge the button 222 to extend outwardly of the stick
shank 11 such that the button 222 is permitted to extend through
the hole 221 of the collar sleeve 22 when the collar sleeve 22 is
displaced to the proximate position to thereby retain the collar
sleeve 22 thereat. To release the collar sleeve 22, it is simply
necessary to press the button 222 to disengage the button 222 from
the hole 221.
[0050] Referring further to FIG. 1, the walking stick further
includes two strut members 24 and two linking members 123.
[0051] Each of the strut members 24 has a sleeve-side end 241
pivotally connected to the collar sleeve 22, and a bar-side end 242
pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the bracing bars 23
between the respective pivot end 231 and the respective key end 232
so as to facilitate sliding of the respective key end 232 between
the respective front and rear keyway ends 331, 332. Furthermore, a
distance between the bar-side end 242 and the respective pivot end
231 is slightly shorter than a distance between the bar-side end
242 and the respective key end 232.
[0052] Each linking member 123 has an upper linking end 126
pivotally connected to the collar sleeve 22, and a lower linking
end 127 pivotally connected to the respective pivoted end 125 so as
to facilitate displacement of each of the prop legs 12 between the
straddling position and the upheld position.
[0053] Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 4, the seat unit 3 is
configured such that, when in the collapsed state, the left and
right wing portions 32 are disposed angularly about the stick shank
11 and define a gap 30 therebetween. The gap 30 is opposite to the
middle portico 31 relative to the stick shank 11, and is configured
to accommodate the prop legs 12 therein when the prop legs 12 are
displaced to the upheld position. In addition, when the seat unit 3
is converted to the collapsed state, the bracing bars 23 and the
strut members 24 are accommodated in a space between the middle
portion 31 and the stick shank 11. Hence, when a person uses the
walking stick with the seat unit 3 in the collapsed state for
assisting walking, he/she is less likely to get hurt by the walking
stick.
[0054] In this embodiment, referring to FIG. 8, the middle portion
31 extends to terminate at left and right margins 314 (only one is
shown) that are adjacent to the left and right wing portions 32 and
that are rounded. Each of the left and right wing portions 32
extends to terminate at a connection margin 321 (only one is shown)
that is rounded. When a user is going to seat on the seat unit 3 to
sake the seat unit 3 to be fully transformed into the use state,
his/her clothes is less likely to be clamped by a slit among the
middle portion 31 and the left and right wing portions 32.
[0055] In addition, referring to FIGS. 8, 10 and 11, the
chair-convertible walking stick further includes two key assemblies
25, each of which includes an engageable key unit 251 and a
pivotable key unit 252. The engageable key unit 251 is configured
to be slidably and rotatably engaged with the corresponding one of
the keyways 33. The pivotable key unit 252 is configured to be
pivotally connected to the engageable key unit 251 about a pivot
axis, and is pivotally connect to the key end 232 of the
corresponding one of the bracing bars 23. The pivot axis is
surrounded by a curved arrow 259 shown in FIG. 10.
[0056] The engageable key unit 251 includes a key stem 253, a key
seat 254, and a key head 256. The key seat 254 is formed with an
insertion hole 255. The key stem 253 extends in a lengthwise axis
(A) to terminate at a connection end 257 and a free end 258, and is
configured to be inserted in the insertion hole 255 so as to permit
the key seat 254 to rotate about the lengthwise axis (A) which is
perpendicular to the pivot axis. The key head 256 is connected to
the connected end 257 of the key stem 253 and is slidably engaged
with the corresponding one of the keyways 33.
[0057] Referring further to FIGS. 1 and 9, in this preferred
embodiment, the carrier 21 includes a hub body 210 having an inner
tubular surface 212 slidably engaged with the stick shank 11, and
an outer anchoring surface 213 which is opposite to the inner
tubular surface 212 in radial directions, and which is configured
to permit the bracing bars 23 and the prop legs 12 to be pivotally
connected thereto. In this embodiment, the second retaining member
14 has a dimension larger than that of the first retaining member
13. The inner tubular surface 212 is configured to have a groove
region 214 for passage of the first retaining member 13
therethrough and a raised region 211 that abuts against the second
retaining member 14 when the carrier 21 is displaced to the lower
position.
[0058] FIG. 13 illustrates a chair-convertible walking stick
according to a second preferred embodiment of this invention. The
second preferred embodiment differs from the first embodiment in
that, in the second preferred embodiment, the first and second
biasing members 27, 26 are omitted. In the second preferred
embodiment, the chair-convertible walking stick further includes a
fourth retaining member 15 and a third biasing member 29. The
fourth retaining member 15 is disposed to retain the carrier 21 at
the upper position. The third biasing member 29 is disposed to bias
the collar sleeve 22 toward the carrier 21 by a third biasing
force. When the collar sleeve 22 is subjected to a manual pulling
force to be thereby displaced to a second transit position, where
the manual pulling force counteracts the third biasing force and
gravity of the carrier 21 and the collar sleeve 22, the carrier 21
is displaced to the upper position and retained thereat by the
fourth retaining member 15. When, the collar sleeve 22 is
subsequently displaced to the proximate position and to be retained
by the third retaining member 26, the seat unit 3 is converted from
the use state to the collapsed state.
[0059] In this embodiment, the third biasing member 29 is disposed
to foe connected between the collar sleeve 22 and the carrier 21 so
as to bias the collar sleeve 22 toward the carrier 21.
[0060] FIG. 14 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a
chair-convertible walking stick according to a third preferred
embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, the engageable
key unit 251 farther includes a fourth biasing member 250, and the
key head 256 is displaceable between a first key position, where
the key head 256 is in a high-friction engagement with the
corresponding one of the keyways 33, and a second key position,
where the key head 256 is in a low-friction engagement with the
corresponding one of the keyways 33. The fourth biasing member 250
is sleeved on the key stem 253 and is disposed between the key seat
204 and said key head 256 to bias the key head 256 to the first key
position. Thus, by virtue of the biasing action of the fourth
biasing member 250 which urges the key head 256 to abut against the
corresponding one of the keyways 33, when the seat unit 3 is
converted to the collapsed state, undesired wobbling movement of
the key head 256 of each of the key assemblies 25 relative to the
corresponding one of the keyways 33 can be prevented.
[0061] FIG. 15 illustrates a portion of a chair-convertible walking
stick according to a fourth preferred embodiment of this invention.
In this preferred embodiment, the walking stick further includes a
fifth biasing member 35.
[0062] The fifth biasing member 35 is disposed adjacent to the
rearward edge 311 of the middle portion 31 of the seat unit 3 to
bias the seat unit 3 from the collapsed state to the use state.
[0063] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what are considered the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretations and equivalent arrangements.
* * * * *