Hiking and survival staff
A trekking staff having a solid shaft portion and a hollow elongated chamber portion provides sufficient strength for allowing a user to dynamically load the trekking staff with a significant portion of the user's bodyweight with a minimal possibility of the shaft portion bending or failing. The hollow elongated chamber portion is detachably coupled to the solid shaft portion, and can include a direction finding device, a compass, a personal water purification system, a personal water collection system, a personal first aid kit, survival equipment, unidirectional or bidirectional communication equipment, a transmitter that transmits a homing signal and/or a positional information signal. A grip portion has a shape that conforms to a shape of the trekking staff and can include a strand of cord-like material. A light emitting device can be selectably controlled to emit either a constant light or a flashing light.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to walking sticks. More particularly, the present invention relates to a walking stick that includes survival equipment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hiking typically involves traversing uneven or previously undisturbed terrain, such as an ascent or descent of a slope; navigating rocks, boulders and/or cliffs; and/or crossing creeks and streams. Often, vegetation is pushed aside as the terrain is traversed. It is instinctive to attempt to aid oneself with additional support while traversing terrain, such as by steadying oneself using a tree or a rock. Additional support, such as a hiking stick or a pole, is sometimes used in order that a person may maintain a normal, erect posture. It has also become common to use a hiking stick in each hand.
Existing hiking sticks and poles are lightweight and made of a tubular construction and have a length that is adaptable to a user. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,348 to Axton and U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,318 to Stuever. Additionally, hiking sticks and poles have been used as multi-purpose supports for various hiking and other outdoor gear, such as a camera support, a gun rest, a shelter pole and/or prop, a pick head and ski pole attachments.
One drawback with conventional hiking sticks and poles having a tubular construction is that they lack sufficient strength for allowing a user to dynamically load the hiking stick with any significant portion of the user's bodyweight without the possibility of the tubular sections bending or failing. A similar drawback with conventional hiking sticks and poles having length adjustable sections is that when a user dynamically loads the hiking stick with a significant portion of the user's bodyweight, there is a possibility that any of the length adjusting mechanisms between may fail, thereby causing the pole to collapse.
A drawback with conventional hiking sticks and poles having length-adjustable sections is that the adjustable sections terminate at a height that is at the approximate height of a user's hand. Consequently, conventional poles lack sufficient height for allowing a user to conveniently deflect vegetation and other obstacles from the user's head and chest area without disengaging the pole from the ground, thereby eliminating the pole's utility as a balance or support-assisting device. Moreover, the relatively short length of such conventional hiking sticks and poles do not permit a user to conveniently place the bottom of a pole into a creek or stream of some depth when crossing the creek or stream without the user bending over to uncomfortable or unbalanced positions.
Additionally, survival devices have been developed for assisting a person in remaining alive until rescued. Most of these devices, however, are cumbersome, do not include particular features for sustaining life for a period of time while affording the additional utility as a balance or support assisting device as a hiking stick or pole. Accordingly, conventional survival devices are frequently left at home or used only occasionally.
Consequently, what is needed is a hiking stick or pole that (1) has sufficient strength for allowing a user to dynamically load the hiking stick with a significant portion of the user's bodyweight with a minimal possibility of the hiking stick bending or failing; (2) allows a user to conveniently deflect vegetation and other obstacles from the user's head and chest area without disengaging the pole from the ground; (3) allows a user to conveniently place the bottom of the hiking stick into a creek or stream of some depth when crossing the creek or stream; and (4) includes survival devices for sustaining life for a period of time without losing the utility as a balance or support assisting device.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a trekking staff having sufficient strength for allowing a user to dynamically load the trekking staff with a significant portion of the user's bodyweight with a minimal possibility of the trekking staff bending or failing. Additionally, the trekking staff of the present invention is long enough to allow a user to conveniently deflect vegetation and other obstacles from the user's head and chest area without disengaging the trekking staff from the ground. Further still, the trekking staff of the present invention allows a user to conveniently place the bottom of the hiking stick into a creek or stream of some depth when crossing the creek or stream. Moreover, the trekking staff of the present invention includes survival devices for sustaining life for a period of time without losing the utility as a balance or support assisting device.
The advantages of the present invention are provided by a trekking staff having a solid shaft portion and a hollow elongated chamber portion. The hollow elongated chamber portion is detachably coupled to the solid shaft portion. The hollow elongated chamber portion can include a direction finding device, such as a mechanical magnetic compass, an electronic magnetic compass, or a global positioning system receiver. Additionally or in the alternative, the hollow elongated chamber portion can contain a personal water purification system, a personal water collection system, a personal first aid kit, survival equipment, unidirectional or bidirectional communication equipment, and/or a transmitter that transmits a homing signal and/or a positional information signal. The hollow chamber portion can also contain an MP3 player. The first aid kit can include a single-use medication dispenser having a reservoir containing a single-use portion of an antiseptic liquid-type bandage material and a tearable opening through which the liquid-type bandage material is dispensed.
The trekking staff of the present invention can also include a grip portion that has a shape that conforms to a shape of the trekking staff and can include a strand of cord-like material. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the grip portion is spool shaped and the strand of cord-like material is wrapped around the spool-shaped grip portion. The cord-like material can also be long enough to include a loop that is adjustable in size.
The trekking staff of the present invention can also include a light emitting device that is selectably controllable to emit one of a constant light and a flashing light. Additionally, the light emitting device can be selectably controllable to emit a flashing light containing, for example, a message in Morse code. The light emitting device can also emit a plurality of light colors that are selectably controlled.
The trekking staff of the present invention includes a tip portion that is detachably coupled to the solid shaft portion. The tip portion can be tapered and have a cross-sectional shape that is round or square. Alternatively, the tip portion can include an aperture having a size that allows a cord-like material to pass through the aperture.
The present invention also provides a trekking staff having a shaft portion having a first end and a second end and a hollow elongated chamber portion having a first end and a second end, the second end of the hollow chamber being detachably coupled to the first end of the solid shaft portion, the hollow elongated chamber portion containing an audio reproduction device. The audio reproduction device can be an MP3 player or a tape player. Moreover, the shaft portion can be a solid shaft or a tubular shaft.
Further still, the present invention provides a single-use medication dispenser having a reservoir containing a single-use portion of liquid-type bandage material, and a tearable opening through which the liquid-type bandage material is dispensed. Alternative, the single-use medication dispenser contains a single-use portion of antiseptic.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe present invention is illustrated by way of example and not by limitation in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:
The present invention provides a multi-purpose trekking staff that overcomes the drawbacks of conventional hiking sticks and poles. In that regard, the trekking staff of the present invention has sufficient strength for allowing a user to dynamically load the trekking staff with a significant portion of the user's bodyweight with a minimal possibility of the trekking staff bending or failing. Additionally, the trekking staff of the present invention has a length that allows a user to conveniently deflect vegetation and other obstacles from the user's head and chest area without disengaging the trekking staff from the ground. Further, the length of the trekking staff of the present invention is sufficient to allow a user to conveniently place the bottom of the trekking staff into a creek or stream of some depth when crossing the creek or stream. Further still, the present invention includes survival devices for sustaining life for a period of time without losing the utility as a balance or support assisting device.
Solid shaft portion 101 is preferably made from a strong lightweight material, such as aluminum or titanium, but can be made from other strong materials such as steel, wood or a carbon fiber material. Regardless of the material used, solid shaft portion 101 has sufficient strength to be dynamically loaded with a significant portion of a user's bodyweight with a minimal possibility of the shaft portion bending or failing.
Hollow chamber 102 can be formed from a hollow aluminum tubing that includes a compartment containing a number of items, such as survival gear, a personal water purification system, a personal water collection system, a personal first aid kit, unidirectional or bidirectional communication equipment, direction finding equipment, like a compass or a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, a transmitter that transmits a homing signal and/or a positional information signal. Hollow chamber 102 can also have direction finding equipment that is visible and/or accessible on the outside surface of chamber 102. For example,
Trekking staff 100 includes a grip portion 106 that generally conforms to the shape of trekking staff 100.
Hollow chamber 102 can include a light emitting device 111.
Tip portion 103 is detachable secured to solid shaft portion 101 so that a user can select a tip that has an appropriate shape and/or is made from an appropriate material for the terrain the user will be traversing. For example,
Hollow chamber 102, shown in
Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced that are within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A trekking staff, comprising:
- a solid shaft portion having a first end and a second end; and
- a hollow elongated chamber portion having a first end and a second end, the second end of the hollow chamber being detachably coupled to the first end of the solid shaft portion.
2. The trekking staff according to claim 1, wherein the hollow elongated chamber portion includes a direction finding device.
3. The trekking staff according to claim 2, wherein the direction finding device is a mechanical magnetic compass.
4. The trekking staff according to claim 2, wherein the direction finding device is an electronic magnetic compass.
5. The trekking staff according to claim 2, wherein the direction finding device is a global positioning system receiver.
6. The trekking staff according to claim 1, further comprising a grip portion.
7. The trekking staff according to claim 6, wherein the grip portion conforms to a shape of the trekking staff.
8. The trekking staff according to claim 6, wherein the grip portion includes a strand of cord-like material.
9. The trekking staff according to claim 8, wherein the grip portion is spool shaped, and
- wherein the strand of cord-like material is wrapped around the spool-shaped grip portion.
10. The trekking staff according to claim 8, wherein the strand of cord-like material includes a loop.
11. The trekking staff according to claim 10, wherein the loop is adjustable in size.
12. The trekking staff according to claim 1, further comprising a light emitting device.
13. The trekking staff according to claim 12, wherein the light emitting device is selectably controllable to emit one of a constant light and a flashing light.
14. The trekking staff according to claim 13, wherein the light emitting device is selectably controllable to emit a flashing light containing a message in Morse code.
15. The trekking staff according to claim 12, wherein the light emitting device emits a plurality of light colors.
16. The trekking staff according to claim 12, wherein the light emitting device is controllable to emit light of a selected color.
17. The trekking staff according to claim 1, further comprising a tip portion having a first end and a second end, the first end of the tip portion being detachably coupled to the second end of the solid shaft portion, and the second end of the tip portion being tapered.
18. The trekking staff according to claim 17, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the second end of the tip portion is round.
19. The trekking staff according to claim 17, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the second end of the tip portion is square.
20. The trekking staff according to claim 1, further comprising a tip portion having a first end and a second end, the first end of the tip portion being detachably coupled to the second end of the solid shaft portion, and the second end of the tip portion including an aperture having a size that allows a cord-like material to pass through the aperture.
21. The trekking staff according to claim 1, wherein the hollow elongated chamber portion contains a water purification system.
22. The trekking staff according to claim 1, wherein the hollow elongated chamber portion contains a water collection system.
23. The trekking staff according to claim 1, wherein the hollow elongated chamber portion contains a first aid kit.
24. The trekking staff according to claim 23, wherein the first aid kit includes a single-use medication dispenser comprising:
- a reservoir containing a single-use portion of a liquid-type bandage material; and
- a tearable opening through which the liquid-type bandage material is dispensed.
25. The trekking staff according to claim 23, wherein the first aid kit includes a single-use medication dispenser comprising:
- a reservoir containing a single-use portion of antiseptic; and
- a tearable opening through which the antiseptic is dispensed.
26. The trekking staff according to claim 1, wherein the trekking staff includes a single-use medication dispenser comprising:
- a reservoir containing a single-use portion of a liquid-type bandage material; and
- a tearable opening through which the liquid-type bandage material is dispensed.
27. The trekking staff according to claim 1, wherein the trekking staff includes a single-use medication dispenser comprising:
- a reservoir containing a single-use portion of antiseptic; and
- a tearable opening through which the antiseptic is dispensed.
28. The trekking staff according to claim 1, wherein the hollow elongated chamber portion contains survival equipment.
29. The trekking staff according to claim 1, wherein the hollow elongated chamber portion contains a communication device.
30. The trekking staff according to claim 29, wherein the communication device includes a communication receiver.
31. The trekking staff according to claim 29, wherein the communication device includes a transmitter.
32. The trekking staff according to claim 31, wherein the transmitter transmits a voice communication.
33. The trekking staff according to claim 31, wherein the transmitter transmits a homing signal.
34. The trekking staff according to claim 31, wherein the transmitter transmits positional information of the trekking staff.
35. The trekking staff according to claim 29, wherein the communication device is a bidirectional communication device.
37. The trekking staff according to claim 1, wherein the hollow elongated chamber portion contains an MP3 player.
38. A trekking staff, comprising:
- a shaft portion having a first end and a second end; and
- a hollow elongated chamber portion having a first end and a second end, the second end of the hollow chamber being detachably coupled to the first end of the solid shaft portion, the hollow elongated chamber portion containing an audio reproduction device.
39. The trekking staff according to claim 38, wherein the audio reproduction device is an MP3 player.
40. The trekking staff according to claim 38, wherein the audio reproduction device is a tape player.
41. The trekking staff according to claim 38, wherein the shaft portion is a solid shaft.
42. The trekking staff according to claim 38, wherein the shaft portion is a tubular shaft.
43. A single-use medication dispenser comprising:
- a reservoir containing a single-use portion of a liquid-type bandage material; and
- a tearable opening through which the liquid-type bandage material is dispensed.
44. A single-use medication dispenser comprising:
- a reservoir containing a single-use portion of antiseptic; and
- a tearable opening through which the antiseptic is dispensed.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 11, 2004
Publication Date: Sep 29, 2005
Inventor: David Dooley (Hillsboro, OR)
Application Number: 10/799,469