Tent – canopy – umbrella – or cane – Canes – sticks – crutches – and walking aids – Folding
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-08
2001-03-27
Canfield, Robert (Department: 3635)
Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
Canes, sticks, crutches, and walking aids
Folding
C135S067000, C135S075000, C135S066000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206019
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of walking cane constructions in general, and in particular to a cane construction that can be converted into a dual handled walker style device.
2. Description of Related Art
As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,121,605; 4,411,283; 4,787,405; 5,339,849; and 5,482,070, the prior art is replete with myriad and diverse single and double cane constructions.
While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are more than adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have been specifically designed, they are uniformly deficient with respect to their failure to provide a simple, efficient, and practical arrangement wherein an apparent single cane can be converted into a spaced double cane arrangement that will provide improved traction on slippery surfaces or when the user is prone to attacks of vertigo.
As most users of single walking canes are aware, the single cane is well suited to the user's needs the vast majority of time; however, there are certain instances when enhanced stability is required and that extra stability is simply not possible with the single footprint provided by virtually all known walking canes.
As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed a longstanding need for a new and improved type of convertible cane construction which can provide either an essentially single footprint support or a pair of widely spaced footprint supports when greater traction and stability are required, and the provision of such a construction is a stated objective of the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the convertible cane construction that forms the basis of the present invention comprises in general, a pair of walking cane members that are connected to one another by a pair of collapsible arm members which can be manipulated to bring the handle members either into a side by side quasi-single walking cane configuration, or into a widely spaced double walking cane configuration.
As will be explained in greater detail further on in the specification, each of the walking cane members have a generally inverted L-shaped configuration which includes a main support shaft and a rearwardly extending handle segment. The support shafts of the cane members are connected to one another by the pair of collapsible arm members.
In addition, each of the collapsible arm members comprise a pair of lever arms that are pivotally secured on one end to one another and pivotally secured on the other end to one of the walking cane members. In the collapsed mode, the lever arms bring the cane support shafts together and in the extended mode, the lever arms force the cane support shafts a substantial distance apart.
Furthermore, both of the walking cane members are vertically adjustable such that the opposed handles and lever arms can be disposed in horizontal planes when the can construction is employed on an angled side hill surface.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3716067 (1973-02-01), Skoog
patent: 4121605 (1978-10-01), Schmerl
patent: 4251044 (1981-02-01), Olson
patent: 4411283 (1983-10-01), Lucarelli
patent: 4729395 (1988-03-01), Adamson et al.
patent: 4787405 (1988-11-01), Karwoski
patent: 4995412 (1991-02-01), Hirn et al.
patent: 5339849 (1994-08-01), Stutz
patent: 5482070 (1996-01-01), Kelly
patent: 5499645 (1996-03-01), Baliga
patent: 5644994 (1997-07-01), Liang et al.
patent: 5979476 (1999-11-01), Cranny
patent: 1831308 (1993-07-01), None
Canfield Robert
Henderson & Sturm LLP
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