A walking aid for use on a support surface is provided. The walking aid includes an elongated member having an upper end and a lower end and defining an interior cavity and a longitudinal axis, a stopper coupled to the lower end of the elongated member, and a support apparatus for supporting the wal
A walking aid for use on a support surface is provided. The walking aid includes an elongated member having an upper end and a lower end and defining an interior cavity and a longitudinal axis, a stopper coupled to the lower end of the elongated member, and a support apparatus for supporting the walking aid. The support apparatus is translatable through the stopper and the interior cavity to a retracted position within the stopper and interior cavity, and to an extended position projecting from the stopper. The support apparatus is also biased radially outward relative to the longitudinal axis, and configured to extend away from the longitudinal axis and contact the support surface in the extended position.
대표청구항▼
1. A walking aid for use on a support surface, comprising: a) an elongated member having an upper end and a lower end, and defining an interior cavity, a longitudinal axis, and a slot in an outer wall thereof along the longitudinal axis, the slot in communication with the interior cavity;b) a stoppe
1. A walking aid for use on a support surface, comprising: a) an elongated member having an upper end and a lower end, and defining an interior cavity, a longitudinal axis, and a slot in an outer wall thereof along the longitudinal axis, the slot in communication with the interior cavity;b) a stopper coupled to the lower end of the elongated member, the stopper defining a plurality of circumferentially disposed channels in an interior portion thereof, and a rib extending beyond and radially outward of the plurality of circumferentially disposed channels; andc) a support apparatus for supporting the walking aid, the support apparatus translatable through the stopper and the interior cavity to a retracted position completely within the stopper and interior cavity and an extended position projecting from the stopper, the support apparatus biased radially outward relative to the longitudinal axis, and configured to extend away from the longitudinal axis and contact the support surface in the extended position andd) an actuation lever coupled to the support apparatus, extending radially outward through the slot, and longitudinally translatable along the slot,wherein the support apparatus includes three circumferentially disposed support members, and each support member is made from a flexible spring material configured to outwardly spring bias the support member relative to the longitudinal axis, andwherein the support members are mounted for translation through the plurality of channels and configured to be completely retracted within the stopper and interior cavity with the rib contacting the support surface in the retracted position, and to be extended out of the stopper such that the outward spring bias of the support members causes curvature of the support members and extension of the support members away from the longitudinal axis radially outward beyond the rib in the extended position. 2. A walking aid according to claim 1, further comprising: e) a drive member operatively disposed within the interior cavity, and longitudinally translatable relative to the elongated member,wherein the actuation lever is adapted and configured to longitudinally translate the drive member within the interior cavity to translate the support apparatus to the retracted and extended positions in harmony with longitudinal translation of the actuation lever along the slot. 3. A walking aid according to claim 1, wherein the support members are configured to engage the support surface in the extended position. 4. A walking aid according to claim 3, wherein a lower section of each support member is substantially straight in the retracted position and curved in the extended position. 5. A walking aid according to claim 3, wherein the three support members extend through the plurality of channels adjacent a radially inner edge of the rim of the stopper. 6. A walking aid according to claim 5, wherein the circumferentially spaced support members each have a lower end, and the respective lower ends of the support members are separated from one another by no more than 3.5 inches in the extended position. 7. A walking aid according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of support members includes a lower tip for engaging the support surface. 8. A walking aid according to claim 7, wherein the tips of the elongated members are configured to be operatively disposed within the rim of the stopper in the retracted position. 9. A walking aid according to claim 3, wherein the drive member is a tube having a top end and a bottom end, and the plurality of support members are mounted to the bottom end of the tube. 10. A walking aid according to claim 3, wherein the stopper has a bottom diameter no more than 1.5 inches. 11. A walking aid according to claim 3, wherein the elongated member is a cane. 12. A walking aid according to claim 3, wherein each support member defines a concave surface in the extended position. 13. A walking aid according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of support members are configured to support the walking aid in a vertical free standing position in the extended position. 14. A walking aid according to claim 13, wherein the rim of the stopper and the elongated member are elevated relative to the support surface in the vertical free standing position. 15. A walking aid according to claim 1, wherein the interior portion of the stopper includes a bottom surface offset from a bottom surface of the rim, and the bottom surface of the interior portion defines an opening to each channel. 16. A walking aid for use on a support surface, comprising: a) an elongated member having an upper end and a lower end, and defining an interior cavity and a longitudinal axis;b) a stopper coupled to the lower end of the elongated member, the stopper defining a plurality of circumferentially disposed channels in an interior portion thereof, and a rib extending beyond and radially outward of the plurality of circumferentially disposed channels; andc) a support apparatus for supporting the walking aid, the support apparatus translatable through the stopper and the interior cavity to a retracted position completely within the stopper and interior cavity, and to an extended position projecting from the stopper, the support apparatus biased radially outward relative to the longitudinal axis, and configured to extend away from the longitudinal axis and contact the support surface in the extended position,wherein the support apparatus includes three circumferentially disposed support members, and each support member is made from a flexible spring material configured to outwardly spring bias the support member relative to the longitudinal axis, andwherein the support members are mounted for translation through the plurality of channels and configured to be completely retracted within the stopper and interior cavity with the rib contacting the support surface in the retracted position, and to be extended out of the stopper such that the outward spring bias of the support members causes curvature of the support members and extension of the support members away from the longitudinal axis radially outward beyond the rib in the extended position. 17. A walking aid according to claim 16, further comprising: e) a drive member operatively disposed inside the interior cavity; andf) a lever coupled to and extending from the drive member, wherein the interior cavity is defined by the lower end of the elongated member, the elongated member defines a slot, and the lever extends through and is longitudinally translatable along the slot to move the support apparatus between the retracted and extended positions.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (9)
Gordon, Ellis David, Assistive walking device with multiple support spheres.
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