Cane with Spring-Actuated Gripper
A cane with trigger-actuated gripper is an apparatus that is used as a walking aid and an aid for grabbing or picking up objects. The apparatus includes a cane which is used to aid a user with walking and increase distance the user is able to reach. A grasping mechanism is connected to the can and used to aid users with grabbing or picking up objects. A trigger located near the handle of the cane is used to control a spring-loaded claw assembly. The spring-loaded claw assembly, located near the foot of the cane, is used to clench or pick up objects. A cable runs through the inside of the cane's hollow shaft and links the trigger to the spring-loaded claw assembly.
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/974,213 filed on Apr. 2, 2014.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to walking aids and grabbing devices. More specifically, the present invention is a combination of a walking cane and a clenching device. The present invention gives a user the convenience of a grabbing device hold or pick up items within reach of their cane.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCanes are commonly used as a walking aid for people with disabilities and injuries that affect their mobility. While they are generally effective in assisting users with walking, many users who experience difficulties with mobility may also have disabilities or injuries that limit their ability to grab, grasp, lift or otherwise hold objects. For such users, a cane does not help with these issues. Instead, a standard cane will likely limit the ability of a user to grab or lift an object. This is because the act of using a cane requires the use of a hand that would otherwise be free to hold an object.
Accordingly, there is a present need for an apparatus that provides the walking assistance of a cane while also providing a means of grabbing or lifting objects. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cane that acts both as a walking aid and a means of grabbing and lifting objects. The cane uses a trigger which controls the opening and closing of a claw which may be used to grasp objects.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
With reference to
The grasping mechanism 7 is connected to the cane 1 and is used to clench objects such that said objects may be moved or lifted. The grasping mechanism 7 comprises a trigger 8, a spring-loaded claw assembly 14, and a cable 27. The trigger 8 is hingedly and laterally connected to the hollow shaft 3 and is positioned adjacent to the handle 2. The trigger 8 is used to actuate the spring-loaded claw assembly 14 such that objects may be grasped. The spring-loaded claw assembly 14 is hingedly and laterally connected to the hollow shaft 3 and is positioned adjacent to the foot 4. The spring-loaded claw assembly 14 is normally in a closed position, but may be opened to grab objects. The cable 27 acts as a link between the trigger 8 and the spring-loaded claw assembly 14. The trigger 8 is tensionably tethered to the spring-loaded claw assembly 14 by the cable 27. The cable 27 is slidably mounted through the hollow shaft 3. When the trigger 8 is pulled, the cable 27 causes the spring-loaded claw assembly 14 to open by pivoting in relation to the hollow shaft 3. When the trigger 8 is released, the spring-loaded claw assembly 14 returns to the closed position.
In reference to
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the trigger 8 is not directly connected to the hollow shaft 3. In reference to
In reference to
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spring-loaded claw assembly 14 is not directly connected to the hollow shaft 3. In reference to
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spring-loaded claw assembly 14 comprises a spring 24. In reference to
In reference to
In reference to
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Claims
1. A cane with trigger-actuated gripper comprises:
- a cane;
- a grasping mechanism;
- the cane comprises a hollow shaft, a foot, and a handle;
- the grasping mechanism comprises a trigger, a spring-loaded claw assembly, and a cable;
- the foot and the handle being positioned opposite to each other along the hollow shaft;
- the trigger being hingedly and laterally connected to the hollow shaft;
- the trigger being positioned adjacent to the handle;
- the spring-loaded claw assembly being hingedly and laterally connected to the hollow shaft;
- the spring-loaded claw assembly being positioned adjacent to the foot;
- the trigger being tensionably tethered to the spring-loaded claw assembly by the cable; and
- the cable being slidably mounted through the hollow shaft.
2. The cane with trigger-actuated gripper as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- the trigger comprises a free end, a tensioning end, and a trigger pivot portion;
- the cable comprises a first cable end;
- the free end being positioned adjacent and perpendicular to the tensioning end;
- the trigger pivot portion being positioned between the free end and the tensioning end;
- the trigger pivot portion being hingedly mounted to the hollow shaft; and
- the first cable end being adjacently connected to the tensioning end, opposite to the trigger pivot portion.
3. The cane with trigger-actuated gripper as claimed in claim 2 comprises:
- the grasping mechanism comprises a trigger mount;
- the trigger mount being laterally connected to the hollow shaft;
- the trigger pivot portion being hingedly connected to the trigger mount; and
- the cable traversing through the trigger mount.
4. The cane with trigger-actuated gripper as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- the spring-loaded claw assembly comprises a lever and a claw;
- the lever comprises a pivot end and an actuation end;
- the cable comprises a second cable end;
- the claw being adjacently connected to the actuation end;
- the second cable end being tethered to the actuation end; and
- the pivot end being hingedly mounted to the hollow shaft.
5. The cane with trigger-actuated gripper as claimed in claim 4 comprises:
- the grasping mechanism comprises a claw mount;
- the claw mount being laterally connected to the hollow shaft;
- the pivot end being hingedly connected to the claw mount; and
- the cable traversing through the claw mount.
6. The cane with trigger-actuated gripper as claimed in claim 4 comprises:
- the spring-loaded claw assembly comprises a spring;
- the spring comprises a first spring end and a second spring end;
- the first spring end being pivotally connected to the actuation end; and
- the second spring end being pivotally mounted to the hollow shaft.
7. The cane with trigger-actuated gripper as claimed in claim 4 comprises:
- the claw comprises a tip, a grasping surface, an outward surface, a plurality of grip features, and a grip layer;
- the tip being positioned opposite to the actuation end, along the claw;
- the grasping surface and the outward surface being positioned opposite to each other through the claw;
- the grasping surface and the outward surface traversing from the actuation end to the tip;
- the grasping surface being oriented towards the hollow shaft;
- the outward surface being oriented away from the hollow shaft;
- the plurality of grip features being integrated across the grasping surface; and
- the grip layer being superimposed onto the plurality of grip features and about the tip.
8. The cane with trigger-actuated gripper as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- the cane comprises a first guide pin and a second guide pin;
- the first guide pin being laterally mounted within the hollow shaft, adjacent to the trigger;
- the cable being slidably engaged about the first guide pin;
- the second guide pin being laterally mounted within the hollow shaft, adjacent to the spring-loaded claw assembly; and
- the cable being slidably engaged about the second guide pin.
9. A cane with trigger-actuated gripper comprises:
- a cane;
- a grasping mechanism;
- the cane comprises a hollow shaft, a foot, a handle, a first guide pin and a second guide pin;
- the grasping mechanism comprises a trigger, a spring-loaded claw assembly, and a cable;
- the foot and the handle being positioned opposite to each other along the hollow shaft;
- the trigger being hingedly and laterally connected to the hollow shaft;
- the trigger being positioned adjacent to the handle;
- the spring-loaded claw assembly being hingedly and laterally connected to the hollow shaft;
- the spring-loaded claw assembly being positioned adjacent to the foot;
- the trigger being tensionably tethered to the spring-loaded claw assembly by the cable;
- the cable being slidably mounted through the hollow shaft;
- the first guide pin being laterally mounted within the hollow shaft, adjacent to the trigger;
- the cable being slidably engaged about the first guide pin;
- the second guide pin being laterally mounted within the hollow shaft, adjacent to the spring-loaded claw assembly; and
- the cable being slidably engaged about the second guide pin.
10. The cane with trigger-actuated gripper as claimed in claim 9 comprises:
- the trigger comprises a free end, a tensioning end, and a trigger pivot portion;
- the cable comprises a first cable end;
- the free end being positioned adjacent and perpendicular to the tensioning end;
- the trigger pivot portion being positioned between the free end and the tensioning end;
- the trigger pivot portion being hingedly mounted to the hollow shaft; and
- the first cable end being adjacently connected to the tensioning end, opposite to the trigger pivot portion.
11. The cane with trigger-actuated gripper as claimed in claim 10 comprises:
- the grasping mechanism comprises a trigger mount;
- the trigger mount being laterally connected to the hollow shaft;
- the trigger pivot portion being hingedly connected to the trigger mount; and
- the cable traversing through the trigger mount.
12. The cane with trigger-actuated gripper as claimed in claim 9 comprises:
- the spring-loaded claw assembly comprises a lever and a claw;
- the lever comprises a pivot end and an actuation end;
- the cable comprises a second cable end;
- the claw being adjacently connected to the actuation end;
- the second cable end being tethered to the actuation end; and
- the pivot end being hingedly mounted to the hollow shaft.
13. The cane with trigger-actuated gripper as claimed in claim 12 comprises:
- the grasping mechanism comprises a claw mount;
- the claw mount being laterally connected to the hollow shaft;
- the pivot end being hingedly connected to the claw mount; and
- the cable traversing through the claw mount.
14. The cane with trigger-actuated gripper as claimed in claim 12 comprises:
- the spring-loaded claw assembly comprises a spring;
- the spring comprises a first spring end and a second spring end;
- the first spring end being pivotally connected to the actuation end; and
- the second spring end being pivotally mounted to the hollow shaft.
15. The cane with trigger-actuated gripper as claimed in claim 12 comprises:
- the claw comprises a tip, a grasping surface, an outward surface, a plurality of grip features, and a grip layer;
- the tip being positioned opposite to the actuation end, along the claw;
- the grasping surface and the outward surface being positioned opposite to each other through the claw;
- the grasping surface and the outward surface traversing from the actuation end to the tip;
- the grasping surface being oriented towards the hollow shaft;
- the outward surface being oriented away from the hollow shaft;
- the plurality of grip features being integrated across the grasping surface; and
- the grip layer being superimposed onto the plurality of grip features and about the tip.
16. A cane with trigger-actuated gripper comprises:
- a cane;
- a grasping mechanism;
- the cane comprises a hollow shaft, a foot, and a handle;
- the grasping mechanism comprises a trigger, a spring-loaded claw assembly, and a cable;
- the trigger comprises a free end, a tensioning end, and a trigger pivot portion;
- the cable comprises a first cable end and a second cable end;
- the spring-loaded claw assembly comprises a lever and a claw;
- the lever comprises a pivot end and an actuation end;
- the foot and the handle being positioned opposite to each other along the hollow shaft;
- the trigger being hingedly and laterally connected to the hollow shaft;
- the trigger being positioned adjacent to the handle;
- the spring-loaded claw assembly being hingedly and laterally connected to the hollow shaft;
- the spring-loaded claw assembly being positioned adjacent to the foot;
- the trigger being tensionably tethered to the spring-loaded claw assembly by the cable;
- the cable being slidably mounted through the hollow shaft;
- the free end being positioned adjacent and perpendicular to the tensioning end;
- the trigger pivot portion being positioned between the free end and the tensioning end;
- the trigger pivot portion being hingedly mounted to the hollow shaft;
- the first cable end being adjacently connected to the tensioning end, opposite to the trigger pivot portion;
- the claw being adjacently connected to the actuation end;
- the second cable end being tethered to the actuation end; and
- the pivot end being hingedly mounted to the hollow shaft.
17. The cane with trigger-actuated gripper as claimed in claim 16 comprises:
- the grasping mechanism comprises a trigger mount;
- the trigger mount being laterally connected to the hollow shaft;
- the trigger pivot portion being hingedly connected to the trigger mount; and
- the cable traversing through the trigger mount.
18. The cane with trigger-actuated gripper as claimed in claim 16 comprises:
- the grasping mechanism comprises a claw mount;
- the claw comprises a tip, a grasping surface, an outward surface, a plurality of grip features, and a grip layer;
- the claw mount being laterally connected to the hollow shaft;
- the pivot end being hingedly connected to the claw mount;
- the cable traversing through the claw mount;
- the tip being positioned opposite to the actuation end, along the claw;
- the grasping surface and the outward surface being positioned opposite to each other through the claw;
- the grasping surface and the outward surface traversing from the actuation end to the tip;
- the grasping surface being oriented towards the hollow shaft;
- the outward surface being oriented away from the hollow shaft;
- the plurality of grip features being integrated across the grasping surface; and
- the grip layer being superimposed onto the plurality of grip features and about the tip.
19. The cane with trigger-actuated gripper as claimed in claim 16 comprises:
- the spring-loaded claw assembly comprises a spring;
- the spring comprises a first spring end and a second spring end;
- the first spring end being pivotally connected to the actuation end; and
- the second spring end being pivotally mounted to the hollow shaft.
20. The cane with trigger-actuated gripper as claimed in claim 16 comprises:
- the cane comprises a first guide pin and a second guide pin;
- the first guide pin being laterally mounted within the hollow shaft, adjacent to the trigger;
- the cable being slidably engaged about the first guide pin;
- the second guide pin being laterally mounted within the hollow shaft, adjacent to the spring-loaded claw assembly; and
- the cable being slidably engaged about the second guide pin.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 2, 2015
Publication Date: Oct 29, 2015
Inventor: John J. Martinez (Newman, CA)
Application Number: 14/677,790