Cane with deployable support structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11006709-B2
Application number	US-202016857951-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 24, 2020
Priority date	Apr 25, 2019
Publication date	May 18, 2021
Grant date	May 18, 2021

Abstract

A cane having: a primary leg with a top end and an opposed bottom end; a handle coupled to the top end of the primary leg; and at least two secondary legs that are each pivotably coupled to the primary leg between the top and bottom ends of the primary leg. Each of the at least two secondary legs is pivotable between a first, retracted position and a second, deployed position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cane comprising:
a primary leg having a top end and an opposed bottom end;
a handle coupled to the top end of the primary leg;
two secondary legs that are each pivotably coupled to the primary leg between the top and bottom ends of the primary leg, wherein each of the two secondary legs is pivotable between a first, retracted position and a second, deployed position, wherein each of the two secondary legs comprises a proximal end that is pivotably coupled to the primary leg and an opposed distal end, wherein when the two secondary legs are in the deployed position, the distal end of each secondary leg and the bottom end of the primary leg are configured to concurrently engage a surface upon which a user of the cane is walking or standing;
a connector assembly having:
a connector body that defines an opening that receives the primary leg; and
at least two connector projections extending from the connector body; and

two sleeves that each receive and are secured to the proximal end of a respective secondary leg of the two secondary legs,
wherein each of the two sleeves is pivotably coupled to a respective connector projection of the at least two connector projections,
wherein when the two secondary legs are in the deployed position, the distal ends of the two secondary legs and the bottom end of the primary leg provide three points of contact with the surface,
wherein the connector body further comprises two stop elements, wherein each of the two stop elements overlies a respective connector projection and is configured to limit pivotal movement of a respective secondary leg relative to the connector projection, and
wherein the connector body further defines first and second receiving spaces, wherein a first connector projection of the least two connector projections extends downwardly into the first receiving space, wherein a second connector projection of the least two connector projections extends downwardly into the second receiving space, wherein a first sleeve of the two sleeves is at least partially received within the first receiving space, and wherein a second sleeve of the two sleeves is at least partially received within the second receiving space.

2. The cane of claim 1 , wherein the handle is selectively removable and replaceable.

3. The cane of claim 1 , further comprising a collar that defines an opening that receives the primary leg, wherein the collar is secured to the primary leg between the handle and the proximal ends of the two secondary legs.

4. The cane of claim 3 , wherein the collar has a sleeve portion and a flange portion that extends radially outwardly from the sleeve portion to define a support surface.

5. The cane of claim 1 , wherein the connector body is selectively axially translatable along a length of the primary leg to effect movement of the at least two secondary legs about and between the retracted position and the deployed position.

6. The cane of claim 5 , wherein the primary leg comprises at least one stop element configured to engage the connector body to limit axial translation of the connector body along the primary leg.

7. The cane of claim 6 , wherein the at least one stop element comprises at least one button clip.

8. The cane of claim 1 , further comprising a guide assembly having:
a center coupling that defines an opening that receives the primary leg and is secured to the primary leg between the proximal ends of the two secondary legs and the bottom end of the primary leg; and
two extension arms extending radially outwardly from the center coupling, wherein each extension arm of the two extension arms is pivotably coupled to the center coupling and a respective secondary leg of the two secondary legs.

9. The cane of claim 8 , wherein the guide assembly further comprises two outer couplings, wherein each outer coupling of the two outer couplings is secured to a respective secondary leg of the two secondary legs between the proximal and distal ends of the secondary leg, and wherein each extension arm of the two extension arms is pivotably coupled to the center coupling and a respective outer coupling of the two outer couplings.

10. The cane of claim 1 , further comprising a retention assembly comprising:
a center body that defines an opening that receives the primary leg and is secured to the primary leg between the proximal ends of the at least two secondary legs and the bottom end of the primary leg; and
two retention elements extending radially outwardly from the center body and configured to engage a respective secondary leg of the two secondary legs when the two secondary legs are in the retracted position.

11. The cane of claim 10 , wherein each retention element comprises a mounting clip that is configured to receive a portion of a respective secondary leg of the two secondary legs.

12. The cane of claim 1 , wherein the connector body is not axially translatable relative to a length of the primary leg.

13. The cane of claim 1 , wherein the two connector projections extend radially outwardly from the connector body.

14. The cane of claim 1 , further comprising an extension arm comprising first and second sections that are each pivotably coupled to respective distal ends of the two secondary legs, wherein the first and second sections are pivotably coupled to each other.

Assignees

• Us Gov Veterans Affairs
• Challenge America
• Us Gov As Represented By The Department Of Veterand Affairs

Inventors

• Friederich Aidan Richard Wilhelm
• Carter Christopher Lee
• Payton Angela
• Tracz Michael Christopher
• Szabo Emily Rose
• Marcus Elle
• Fugate Michael
• Grenfell Jason
• Rawlings Scott

Classifications

• A45B5/00 Primary

  Walking sticks or umbrellas convertible into seats; Hunting sticks · CPC title

• F16M13/08

  for use as a walking-cane · CPC title

• A45B9/02 Primary

  Handles or heads · CPC title

• A45B2009/002

  Accessories · CPC title

• A61H2003/0272

  on a single crutch allowing it to remain upright when not in use, e.g. retractable tripods · CPC title