Tent – canopy – umbrella – or cane – Canes – sticks – crutches – and walking aids
Patent
1997-04-21
2000-05-02
Friedman, Carl D.
Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
Canes, sticks, crutches, and walking aids
135 66, 135 67, 135 69, 135911, A61H 300
Patent
active
060559977
ABSTRACT:
A step-over cane assembly for facilitating ambulatory movement of users afflicted with certain conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, is disclosed herein. The cane assembly includes an elongate cane member with a tip end and a handle end, the tip end being disposed to contact a walking surface and the handle end providing a grip area to a user. A step-over member is coupled to a lower portion of the elongate cane member proximate the tip end, the step-over member inducing the user to take walking steps when deployed transverse to the elongate member. The step-over member may be rotatably coupled to the elongate cane member, thereby allowing the step-over member to be deployed in an extended position transverse to the elongate member and in a retracted position substantially parallel to the elongate member. When deployed in the extended position, the step-over member serves as a walking obstacle to Parkinson's users of the cane. Encountering this obstacle induces the feet of such a user, which tend to become incapable of movement during certain "off periods", to step over the obstacle and thereby enable forward walking. The step-over member will typically be fabricated using a flexible and durable plastic, which lessens the chance that a user may inadvertently trip and allows such member to be resistant to damage if stepped upon. A miniature flashlight or a phosphorescent material can be applied to a small section of the step-over member so as to increase nocturnal visibility.
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Greenstadt Eugene
Greenstadt Lisa
Friedman Carl D.
Sperry Robert M.
Yip Winnie S.
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