Cane with attachments

Abstract

An apparatus for use by one of elderly persons and those persons with physical limitations requiring assistance in walking. The apparatus comprises a cane member having a predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material. A claw gripper is disposed on a bottom portion of the cane member and a squeeze grip member is engageable with the claw gripper and is disposed on an upper portion of the cane member for controlling the claw gripper. A pulley arrangement is engageable with the squeeze grip member on a first end thereof and with the claw gripper on a second end thereof for activating the claw gripper when such squeeze grip member is squeezed. A magnet member is engageable with one of a bottom portion of the cane member and a bottom portion of the claw gripper for use in picking up magnetized items.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/953,060 filed Jul. 31, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to an apparatus for to a gripping cane, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a gripping cane with a magnetized end for enabling those suffering physical limitations to pick up virtually any item.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many persons who require the use of a cane while walking also find it difficult to bend in order to reach things. Others suffering physical limitations cannot stretch or move as needed in order to grab things that are out of reach. There have been many attempts in prior art to provide assistance for the elderly or physically handicapped in walking. Walking canes have been provided with various devices to enable the user to grasp and pick up items from the floor or items out of arms reach. These devices may be adequate for some uses but most are not convenient to use.

Thus, it would be advantageous if there were a simple and effective means for those requiring the use of a cane that such cane could be used to conveniently pick up virtually any item.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus for use by one of elderly persons and those persons with physical limitations requiring assistance in walking. The apparatus comprises a cane member having a predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material. A claw gripper is disposed on a bottom portion of the cane member and a squeeze grip member is engageable with the claw gripper and is disposed on an upper portion of the cane member for controlling the claw gripper. A means is engageable with the squeeze grip member on a first end thereof and with the claw gripper on a second end thereof for activating the claw gripper when such squeeze grip member is squeezed. A magnet member is engageable with one of a bottom portion of the cane member and a bottom portion of the claw gripper for use in picking up magnetized items.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a cane member for use by elderly and handicapped persons for enabling them to grab items out of reach.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cane member that has a magnet on the bottom for picking up magnetic objects.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cane member in which the length is adjustable.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention which have been described in some specific detail above it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly when such description is taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a is a perspective view of the apparatus showing the internal working components of the squeeze grip.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the apparatus showing the internal working components of the claw gripper.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus showing a different adjustment means and a different magnet attachment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus, generally designated 10, for use by one of elderly persons and those persons with physical limitations requiring assistance in walking. The apparatus 10 comprises a cane member 2 having a predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material. A claw gripper 4 is disposed on a bottom portion of the cane member 2 and a squeeze grip member 6 is engageable with the claw gripper 4 and is disposed on an upper portion of the cane member 2 for controlling the claw gripper 4. A means, generally designated 20, is engageable with the squeeze grip member 6 on a first end thereof and with the claw gripper 4 on a second end thereof for activating the claw gripper 4 when such squeeze grip member 6 is squeezed. A magnet member 8 is engageable with one of a bottom portion of the cane member 2 and a bottom portion of the claw gripper 4 for use in picking up magnetized items.

In an embodiment of the invention such magnet member 8 is disposed on a pivoting head that is engageable with the bottom of said claw gripper. The cane member includes a bottom section 12 and a top section 14. Such cane member 2 further includes an adjustment means 30 for adjusting a length of the cane member 2. In one embodiment the adjustment means 30 includes a plurality of apertures 18 disposed on the bottom section 12 and a single aperture 22 disposed on the top section 14. Such cane member 2 further includes a bolt like peg member 24 for engagement with the aperture 22 in the top section 14 and with one of the plurality of apertures 18 in the bottom section 12 as seen in FIG. 4. It should be noted that such top section 14 of the cane member 2 also includes a handle member 32.

In an alternate embodiment such adjustment means 30 includes a plurality of apertures 22 in the top section 14 and a spring mounted pin member 26 on the bottom portion 12 for engagement with one of the plurality of apertures 22 in the top section 14.

FIG. 1 shows the embodiment wherein the magnet member 8 is secured to the bottom of the cane member 2, while FIG. 4 shows the embodiment wherein the magnet member 8 is attached to the claw grip member 4.

The predetermined material for forming the cane member 2 is selected from one of wood, plastic and metal. It is presently preferred that such predetermined material is metal. It is further preferred that such claw member have a rubber coating.

Such means 20 engageable with the squeeze grip member 6 on a first end thereof and with the claw gripper 4 on a second end thereof for activating the claw gripper 4 when the squeeze grip member 6 is squeezed includes an internal pulley arrangement. Such internal pulley arrangement includes a rope member 28.

Thus, the present invention provides an apparatus that enables any user with physical limitations the ability to grab items that are otherwise out of reach without bending or straining to do so. The cane member allows a user to walk with assistance while also being able to reach and grab things quickly and easily. The handle of the cane features a grip system that activates an internal pulley system to control a claw gripper that is disposed on a bottom portion of the cane member. With just a squeeze of the fingers the claw gripper can grab and hold any number of items. The cane also includes a magnet member disposed on the bottom of the cane or the bottom of the claw gripper for providing the ability to pick up and carry magnetized objects.

The length of the cane member is adjustable as there are a plurality of apertures on a bottom portion of the cane and an aperture on the top portion of the cane along with a peg member that can engage the apertures once the desired length is found. The adjustment means could also include a spring mounted lock pin disposed in the bottom section with a plurality of apertures in the top portion with the pin member locked into an aperture when the correct length is achieved. Such cane member is formed of one of plastic, wood and metal.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use by one of elderly persons and those persons with physical limitations requiring assistance in walking, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a cane member having a predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material;

(b) a claw gripper disposed on a bottom portion of said cane member;

(c) a squeeze grip member engageable with said claw gripper and disposed on an upper portion of said cane member for controlling said claw gripper;

(d) a means engageable with said squeeze grip member on a first end thereof and with said claw gripper on a second end thereof for activating said claw gripper when said squeeze grip member is squeezed; and

(e) a magnet member engageable with one of a bottom portion of said cane member and a bottom portion of said claw gripper for use in picking up magnetized items.

2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said magnet member is disposed on a pivoting head that is engageable with said bottom of said claw gripper.

3. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said cane member includes a bottom section and a top section.

4. The apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein said cane member includes an adjustment means for adjusting a length of said cane member.

5. The apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said adjustment means includes plurality of apertures disposed on said bottom section and a single aperture disposed on said top section.

6. The apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said cane member further includes a bolt like peg member for engagement with said aperture in said top section and with one of said plurality of apertures in said bottom section.

7. The apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein said adjustment means includes a plurality of apertures in said top section and a spring mounted pin member on said bottom section for engagement with one of said plurality of apertures in said top section.

8. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined material for forming said cane member is selected from one of wood, plastic, metal and combinations thereof.

9. The apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined material is metal.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means engageable with said squeeze grip member on a first end thereof and with said claw gripper on a second end thereof for activating said claw gripper when said squeeze grip member is squeezed includes an internal pulley arrangement.

11. The apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said internal pulley arrangement includes a rope member.

12. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said cane member further includes a handle member.