To: Internet:nfb-rd@nfbcal.org
Greetings to All:
The original NFB cane tip came about BEFORE NFB began selling
colapsible canes. In considering whether or not there should be
the amount of rubber on the tip that there is today, we should bear
in mind that we do not want too much vibration to be transmitted
through the handle of the cane into the hand of the blind traveler.
Excessive vibration would, I fear, make the cane uncomfortable to
use.
As to the metal of which the tip is made, I am inclined to ask the
same questions as Dr. Cranmer. Would we be better served if we
could come up with a material for the tip that (1) would out last
the cane (and possibly its owner) and (2) would provide the same or
better feel than the tips we currently use today. I say, "YES!"
So, if any further work is to go on in this area, I support the
idea of a stronger metal for the tip but not the abandonment of the
rubber surrounding the tip--unless it can be shown that such
abandonment is a distinct improvement.
I can understand that the tip is extremely difficult to get off of
the cane. Perhaps it should be. Do we want tips falling off
anywhere we go? I don't.
Curtis Chong
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sun Dec 02 2012 - 01:30:03 PST