Abstract: An arrangement of interlocking telescoping members, having particular applicability with invalid devices, such as walking canes, foldable walkers and the like, includes an outer telescoping member having a plurality of longitudinally arranged apertures; an inner telescoping member telescopically received within the outer telescoping member, the inner telescoping member including a single aperture; a push button extending outwardly through the aperture of the inner telescoping member for engagement with one of the longitudinally arranged apertures of the outer telescoping member; a spring disposed within the inner telescoping member and secured to the push button for outwardly biasing the push button through the aperture of the inner telescoping member; and a plastic, resilient sleeve snuggly surrounding the outer telescoping member at least about the longitudinally arranged apertures so as to provide a pinch free adjustment, to prevent rattle between the telescoping members, and with the sleeve being capable

Abstract: An adjustable length pole is provided including first and second pole members having slidingly telescopingly engaged inner and outer adjacent ends, respectively. Connecting structure is provided connecting the ends for longitudinal adjustment between predetermined stepped positions of adjustment and the connecting structure includes detent structure defining each of the predetermined positions and yieldingly resisting shifting of the ends from each predetermined position. The connecting structure further includes adjustment structure shiftable relative to one of the ends with the other end and also shiftable relative to the other end between position shifting allowing and position retaining positions.

Abstract: A telescoping rod mechanism having a latch mechanism the tension of which is continuously adjustable over a preset range and which, in one embodiment, is adjustable while the device is in use.

Abstract: A spring loaded button, positioned interiorly of an inner tube, protrudes through a hole in the inner tube into latched relation with a preselected one of a series of longitudinally spaced holes in a telescoped outer tube. The button is manually depressed inwardly of the outer tube when the relative position of the inner and outer tubes is to be changed, the button thereafter being released to spring out through another hole in the outer tube to hold the tubes in a different relative position. A catch lip is mounted on the outer end of the button. The catch lip is sized to engage the edge of the outer tube's hole in the event of a slight longitudinal and/or oscillatory movement between tubes to tend to impede or hinder premature and undesired unlatching during normal use of the tubes. But the catch lip is not sized to prevent manual unlatching movement of the button against the spring bias when a position change between tubes is desired.

Abstract: A walking aid which includes a shaft formed of nested telescoping sections which can be readily secured and locked in the adjusted position and which has connected to one end thereof a foot pad having an arcuate sole portion simulating an anatomical foot and a handle portion connected to the other end whereby the handle is constructed so that when grasped the bearing weight of the user is on the hypothermar eminence of the hand which is the anatomically weight bearing surface of the hand. The aid may be provided with one of several distinct handle arrangements which may function as a hand guard, provide illumination and/or arrange to be disposed relative to the foot pad to define and arc of a circle. The foot pad and connected shaft and handle are balanced so that the aid is naturally maintained in an upright position.

Abstract: A longitudinally adjustable ski pole is provided with two tube sections arranged telescopically movable into each other and are provided with a latch and several catches. When shortening the ski pole a spring is tensioned. An extending of the ski pole in longitudinal direction is caused by the tensioned spring. The switching element is arranged, for instance, at the rear side of the hand grip of the ski pole. The latch is supported at the outer of the tubes and the catches are located at the inner of the two tubes. The catches are formed as a through hole through the tube and comprise a supporting shoulder provided with a supporting face. The latch is arranged at a tilting lever which is spring biased and operationally connected to a switching member. The entire mechanism for the longitudinal adjustment of the ski pole is arranged in the grip section of the ski pole. This grip section can quite easily be mounted to the common ski pole tubes.

Abstract: An improved ski pole having an adjustable length is provided with two telescopically movable tube sections. The tube sections are inserted into each other and are movable relative to each other and are provided with a latch and a plurality of catches. When shortening the length of the ski pole, a spring is tensioned. The increasing of the length of the ski pole is caused by the tensioned spring. The switch is arranged at the reverse side of the grip of the ski pole. The latch is arranged fixedly at the inner tube section and the catches are arranged at a pivotable cylinder which can be elevated and lowered as well as rotated. The catches are defined by horizontally extending sections of at least one Z-shaped groove. The pivoting cylinder is connected at a off-center pivot point to the switching or operating, respectively, member. The entire mechanism for the longitudinal adjustment of the ski pole is arranged in the gripping section of the ski pole.

Abstract: A cane or similar article such as a crutch or ski pole is provided with a hand operated lever whereby the user can extend the cane by squeezing on a pair of hand grips.

Abstract: A continuously length adjustable crutch comprising two telescoping tube parts, a handle attached to one of the tube parts, and a locking mechanism for securing said two tube parts in relative position to each other, said crutch further comprising (a) a piston/cylinder unit containing a pressure fluid and having a piston rod attached to a first of said tube parts, a cylinder part attached to the second tube part, and a piston connected to the piston rod and slideable in the cylinder while sealing against the cylinder wall, said piston dividing the cylinder space containing the pressure fluid into two chambers communicating with each other by means of a normally closed connection conduit, the piston rod being locked relative to the cylinder when the connection conduit is closed, the pressure fluid tending to expell the piston rod from the cylinder when said connection conduit is open, and (b) actuator means for opening and closing said connection conduit.

Abstract: A ski-pole or crutch is provided with a forearm yoke at its upper end and a pistol grip spaced below it. Both the yoke and pistol grip face rearward so that when the pistol grip is held in one hand the yoke can be swung into and out of locking engagement with the upper side of the forearm simply by bending the wrist, thereby providing greater maneuverability of the pole and support of the arm when needed for balance, support of the body and steering by planting the pole or dragging it.

Abstract: A quad cane includes a stabilizing device for improving the strength and rigidity of the cane. The stabilizing device comprises a collar having an interior opening therein and a wing screw which is threadably received in a hole which communicates the interior opening of the collar to the exterior thereof. The collar is drive fit over the exterior hollow sleeve of the upper portion of the quad cane in such a way that the threaded hole is located opposite an aperture in the sleeve. By rotating the threaded wing screw downwardly it is possible to impinge against the inner tubular member and immobilize the outer hollow sleeve relative to the inner tubular member of the cane. The stabilizing device is typically used in conjunction with a spring-loaded push button which serves to help adjust the height of the quad cane.

Abstract: A walking cane fitted with three articulated struts that are each linked to a slidable spring-biased piston in the foot of the cane, and joined together so as to extend away from the foot of the cane when the piston is pushed against the ground and upwards into the cane, with the extended struts acting to support the cane in tripod fashion. Release of downward pressure against the piston permits the spring to slide the piston downwards and retract the three struts.

Abstract: A low profile, low center of gravity walking aid cane construction with a central support member having its lower end rigidly connected to four legs. The four legs each have a body portion and a foot portion with the body portions positioned generally transverse to the support member and with the foot portions of the legs depending downwardly from the outer ends of the body portions for contact with a supporting surface. The extremities of the foot portions lie in a plane that is generally transverse to the support member and the extremities are positioned generally at the corners of a rectangle within this plane. The inner legs which terminate at the inner corners of the rectangle are shorter than the legs which terminate at the outer corners and support means provide support for supported lengths of the body portions of the legs. The support means is shaped and positioned to provide unsupported lengths of the body portions of the legs which have a substantially equal resistance to bending forces.

Abstract: A shortenable umbrella with blades carrying the umbrella canopy in opened condition, the blades being shortenable at least by a factor of two by telescoping or folding, of which the innermost blade part is pivoted on a crown secured on the shortenable rod and are pivotable by means of at least one fork by means of at least one slider, whereby the outermost blade part is hinged foldable on the adjacent blade part by means of a control rod which acts on an extension of the outermost blade part. The umbrella is characterized in that the inner end of the control rod engaging directly and positively without friction or slipping on the outermost blade part is pivotably fastened to a slide hinge, which slide hinge is displaceably disposed on the middle blade part in the vicinity of the middle hinge and is articulated play-free on the fork by means of a short connecting rod.

Abstract: A telescopic walking cane with spring-loaded telescopic members that can be easily telescoped to provide a cane compact for carrying purposes and which likewise can be readily telescoped to full length by activation of a hand switch for walking purposes, the telescopic walking cane being provided with a concealed latch that can be readily opened for fastening to a person's belt or other convenient location on the person's wearing apparrel for ease in carrying or storing said walking cane when not in use, a thermometer built into the side of the walking cane for convenience in reading air temperature as particularly useful for individuals with certain handicaps affected by the weather, the walking cane being further provided with a scale or ruler markings along its length, and, additionally, a battery operated light at the tip of the walking cane operated by a switch in the handle, said light being useful when necessary for a handicapped person to look in dark corners or areas.