Walking aid device

Abstract

An apparatus for aiding a user to walk in which the apparatus is selectively separable to a plurality of discrete walking aid devices. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to walking aids, and more particularly to a walking cane that is selectively separable to a pair of discrete walking canes.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

1. Interpretation Considerations

This section describes the technical field in more detail, and discusses problems encountered in the technical field. This section does not describe prior art as defined for purposes of anticipation or obviousness under 35 U.S.C. section 102 or 35 U.S.C. section 103. Thus, nothing stated in the Problem Statement is to be construed as prior art.

2. Discussion

Many individuals, for one reason or another, are quite unstable on their feet and due to such instability, find it difficult to walk without a walking aid, such as a cane. Even with the aid of a cane there are situations in which such individuals would have a need for a pair of canes. For example, some situations include extended walks, uneven terrain, steps, and/or low light conditions. However, having to keep up with and carry two canes at times when only one cane is needed places an addition burden on already handicapped individuals. Therefore, there is a need for a walking aid device whereby a user can, based on their specific needs at a particular moment, use the walking aid device as a single walking aid or as two separate walking aids.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the invention, as well as an embodiment, are better understood by reference to the following detailed description. To better understand the invention, the detailed description should be read in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a side view and a front view of one embodiment of a walking aid device configured as a single walking cane in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a walking aid device configured as a pair of walking canes detached along separation line A-A of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a walking aid device configured as a pair of walking canes detached along separation line A-A of FIG. 1B; and

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a handle portion for a walking cane in accordance with the present invention.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE

Interpretation Considerations

When reading this section (An Exemplary Embodiment of a Best Mode, which describes an exemplary embodiment of the best mode of the invention, hereinafter “exemplary embodiment”), one should keep in mind several points. First, the following exemplary embodiment is what the inventor believes to be the best mode for practicing the invention at the time this patent was filed. Thus, since one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from the following exemplary embodiment that substantially equivalent structures or substantially equivalent acts may be used to achieve the same results in exactly the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way, the following exemplary embodiment should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to one embodiment.

Likewise, individual aspects (sometimes called species) of the invention are provided as examples, and, accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from a following exemplary structure (or a following exemplary act) that a substantially equivalent structure or substantially equivalent act may be used to either achieve the same results in substantially the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way.

Accordingly, the discussion of a species (or a specific item) invokes the genus (the class of items) to which that species belongs as well as related species in that genus. Likewise, the recitation of a genus invokes the species known in the art. Furthermore, it is recognized that as technology develops, a number of additional alternatives to achieve an aspect of the invention may arise. Such advances are hereby incorporated within their respective genus, and should be recognized as being functionally equivalent or structurally equivalent to the aspect shown or described.

Second, the only essential aspects of the invention are identified by the claims. Thus, aspects of the invention, including elements, acts, functions, and relationships (shown or described) should not be interpreted as being essential unless they are explicitly described and identified as being essential. Third, a function or an act should be interpreted as incorporating all modes of doing that function or act, unless otherwise explicitly stated (for example, one recognizes that “tacking” may be done by nailing, stapling, gluing, hot gunning, riveting, etc., and so a use of the word tacking invokes stapling, gluing, etc., and all other modes of that word and similar words, such as “attaching”).

Fourth, unless explicitly stated otherwise, conjunctive words (such as “or”, “and”, “including”, or “comprising” for example) should be interpreted in the inclusive, not the exclusive, sense. Fifth, the words “means” and “step” are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the invention and do not mean “means” or “step” as defined in §112, paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C., unless used as “means for -functioning-” or “step for -functioning-” in the Claims section. Sixth, the invention is also described in view of the Festo decisions, and, in that regard, the claims and the invention incorporate equivalents known, foreseeable, and unforeseeable. Seventh, the language and each word used in the invention should be given the ordinary interpretation of the language and the word, unless indicated otherwise. It should be noted in the following discussion that acts with like names are performed in like manners, unless otherwise stated. Of course, the foregoing discussions and definitions are provided for clarification purposes and are not limiting. Words and phrases are to be given their ordinary plain meaning unless indicated otherwise. Further, indications of orientation are not to be given absolute interpretation with respect to a fixed origin or axis, but are rather provided to give general reference orientations with respect to other provided general orientations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The walking aid device in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprises a two part design which is selectively convertable from a single walking cane into a pair of discrete walking canes whereby a user can, based on their specific needs at a particular moment, use the walking aid device as a single walking cane or as two separate walking canes. One embodiment of the cane 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B in which FIG. 1A shows a side view in an attached configuration, and FIG. 1B shows a front view also in the attached configuration with line A-A illustrating the point of separation.

The cane 100 comprises a vertical support portion 110 and a handgrip portion 120. The vertical support portion 110 is generally a weight bearing member for supporting the weight of the body of the user. The handgrip portion 120 is located at one end of the vertical support portion. The vertical support 110 and handgrip 120 can be integrated as a single component or can be separate coupled components, for example. In one embodiment, the handgrip portion 120 is of an appropriate size for a user to comfortably hold onto and employ the cane 100 using only a single hand. In another embodiment, the handgrip portion 120 is extended perpendicularly to the vertical support 110 and on either side of a center-line running lengthwise thereof enabling a user to grip the cane 100 using a hand on either side of the centerline (CL) (the extended hand portion is illustrated in FIG. 1A in dashed lines) for use as a two-handed, one-legged walking cane.

Referring now to FIG. 1B there is shown a front view of the cane 100 with a separation line A-A indicating the area of detachment/attachment of a first cane portion 170 and a second cane portion 180. The cane portions 170 and 180 are shown in a juxtaposed or single cane configuration and each include a vertical support portion 110 and a handgrip portion 120 such that cane portions 170 and 180 appear as mirror images along line A-A. In one embodiment, cane portions 170 and 180 are identical in height along the centerline CL and are identical in weight bearing capability. The respective mating areas juxtaposed along line A-A include a means for selectively attaching cane portions 170 and 180 in a relationship with one another such that they are cooperable for operating as a single walking cane. The attaching means is also selectively operable for enabling a user to manually detach cane portions 170 and 180. If a user desires to convert from a single cane configuration to a two cane configuration, the first cane portion 170 is simply separated from the second cane portion 180 along separation line A-A.

Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown the first 170 and second 180 cane portions in the decoupled or two-cane configuration in which magnetic attraction is used for coupling. That is, the cane comprises magnetic materials to provide a sufficient magnetic attractive force for facilitating the coupling of the first and second cane portions 170 and 180 when placed in close physical proximity. For example, the first cane portion 170 includes magnetic material 210 which is fixedly attached to the mating side of the first cane portion. Further, the second cane portion 180 includes a ferrous material 220 which is fixedly attached to the second cane portion mating side in an arrangement which corresponds with the magnetic material of the first cane portion. The manner of usage and operation should be apparent from the above description and corresponding drawings.

With the magnetic coupling arrangement, the cane portions 170 and 180 can also include a conventional peg and hole type coupling arrangement to facilitate alignment and/or add support in the attached or single cane configuration. For example, the first cane portion 170 can include one or more alignment type pegs 225 fixedly attached to the first cane portion mating side, the pegs 225 extending outwardly therefrom. The second cane portion 180 includes corresponding peg holes 235 integral with the second cane portion mating side and for receiving the pegs 225 of the first cane portion 170 when in the attached or single cane configuration. In another embodiment, the pegs 225 are located on the second cane portion 180 and the peg holes 235 are located on the first cane portion 170. Further with the magnetic coupling arrangement, a wedging type device arranged as a finger operated button can be included for assisting in separating the magnetic bond between the two cane portions 170 and 180. Preferably, the wedge button is coupled to the tip of the handgrip portion 120.

The following is illustrative of one possible construction for using the presently described invention with a conventional wooden cane. A conventional wooden cane can be sawed in half, lengthwise, from top to bottom such that the two halves are mirror images of each other having the same height and able to support the same weight. A section of the centers along the cut area can be chiseled-out for inlaying a magnetic strip in one half and a metal strip in the other half. The magnetic strip and metal strip are inlaid flush with the wood so that both halves can be bonded together to reform what would appear to be a single un-cut wooden cane. Obviously, the material used for construction is not limited to wood and other materials suitable for a walking cane are contemplated.

Referring now to FIG. 3 there is shown another embodiment for selectively coupling the first 170 and second 180 cane portions in which a conventional keyhole locking mechanism is provided for coupling. The keyhole locking mechanism includes both a keyhole inlay 310 associated with one cane portion and a corresponding key 320 associated with the other cane portion which extends outwardly for engagement into and/or with the keyhole 310 of the one cane portion.

The following is another illustrative example of one possible construction for using the presently described invention with a conventional wooden cane. A conventional wooden cane can be sawed in half, lengthwise, from top to bottom such that the two halves are mirror images of each other having the same height and able to support the same weight. A section of the center along the cut area of one half is chiseled-out in a typical keyhole type pattern. More than one keyhole can be used. Further, the key is affixed to the other half to correspond with the keyhole(s) of the one half. The key can be, for example, a screw or nail having a head of the appropriate size for engaging with the keyhole. The manner of usage and operation for coupling the two halves using the keyhole mechanism should be apparent from the drawings and above description.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a walking aid device in accordance with the present invention which includes cane portion 470 and cane portion 480. The cane portions 470 and 480 are shown in the attached or single cane configuration via a keyhole securing mechanism 310, 320 and are selectively separable along line B-B in the direction indicated by the arrows. Though a keyhole type attachment mechanism is shown, other attachment mechanisms can be used such as those described herein. Here, cane portions 470 and 480 are cooperable for providing a one-legged walking cane with a two-handed handgrip, when coupled in the single cane configuration, such that a user can grip the cane and distribute weight evenly on either side of the cane's centerline which runs along separation line B-B. When separated or in the two cane configuration, each of cane portions 470 and 480 provide a one-legged one-handed walking cane. That is, the handgrip of each separate cane is of a size to accommodate a single human hand.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Furthermore, though the invention has been described with respect to a specific preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present application. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims and their equivalents be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.

Claims

1. A walking aid device, comprising:

a first cane having a support member and a handgrip coupled with one end thereof;

a second cane having a support member and a handgrip coupled with one end thereof; and

a coupler having a first mating portion coupled to said first cane and a second mating portion coupled to said second cane whereby said first and second mating portions are cooperable for selectively coupling said first cane and said second cane.

2. The walking aid device of claim 1, wherein said first and second mating portions are further cooperable for selectively securing said first cane handgrip and said second cane handgrip in a juxtaposition to form a common handgrip.

3. The walking aid device of claim 2, wherein said first cane handgrip, said second cane handgrip, and said common handgrip are of a size to accommodate a single human hand.

4. The walking aid device of claim 2, wherein said first cane handgrip and said second cane handgrip are of a size to accommodate a single human hand, and said common handgrip is of a size to accommodate two human hands.

5. The walking aid device of claim 1, wherein said first cane is magnetically attracted to said second cane such that said first cane is selectively couplable to said second cane when said first and second canes are in close physical proximity.

6. The walking aid device of claim 5, wherein said coupler comprises a magnet and a portion of ferrous material, wherein said magnet is integral with said first cane and said ferrous portion is integral with said second cane.

7. The walking aid device of claim 1, wherein said coupler comprises a keyhole and a corresponding key, wherein said keyhole is integral with said first cane and said key is integral with said second cane.

8. The walking aid device of claim 1, wherein said first cane and said second cane are mirror images of each other.

9. The walking aid device of claim 1, wherein said first cane and said second cane have identical heights.

10. The walking aid device of claim 1, wherein said first cane and said second cane have identical heights and have identical weight bearing capabilities.

11. A combination walking cane, comprising:

a first cane having a support member and a handgrip coupled with a proximal end thereof;

a second cane having a support member and a handgrip coupled with a proximal end thereof, said first cane and said second cane having identical heights from an upper most portion of said handgrip to the distal end of said support member; and

a coupler having a first mating portion coupled to said first cane and a second mating portion coupled to said second cane whereby said first and second mating portions are cooperable for selectively coupling said first cane and said second cane.

12. The walking cane of claim 11, wherein said first and second mating portions are further cooperable for selectively securing said first cane handgrip and said second cane handgrip in a juxtaposition to form a common handgrip.

13. The walking cane of claim 12, wherein said first cane handgrip, said second cane handgrip, and said common handgrip are of a size to accommodate a single human hand.

14. The walking cane of claim 12, wherein said first cane handgrip and said second cane handgrip are of a size to accommodate a single human hand, and said common handgrip is of a size to accommodate two human hands.

15. The walking cane of claim 11, wherein said first cane is magnetically attracted to said second cane such that said first cane is selectively couplable to said second cane when said first and second canes are in close physical proximity.

16. The walking cane of claim 11, wherein said coupler comprises a keyhole and a corresponding key, wherein said keyhole is integral with said first cane and said key is integral with said second cane and said keyhole and key are cooperable for selectively securing said first cane and said second cane.

17. A walking cane which is selectively separable into a pair of discrete walking canes, comprising:

a first cane having a support member and a handgrip coupled therewith;

a second cane having a support member and a handgrip coupled therewith; and

a means for selectively coupling said first cane and said second cane such that said first handgrip and said second handgrip cooperably form a common handgrip.

18. The walking cane of claim 17, wherein said first cane handgrip, said second cane handgrip, and said common handgrip are of a size to accommodate a single human hand.

19. The walking cane of claim 17, wherein said first cane handgrip and said second cane handgrip are of a size to accommodate a single human hand, and said common handgrip is of a size to accommodate two human hands.

20. The walking cane of claim 17, wherein said first cane and said second cane are compose of wood.