FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a walking cane, and more particularly to an adjustable
walking cane that can be simply operated and adjusted.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The current adjustable walking cane (70) (as shown in FIGs. 10 and 11) has a first
stem (71) and a second stem (72), A positioning unit (80) comprising a sleeve (81)
and an annular compressible unit (82) is formed between the first stem (71) and the
second stem (72). The sleeve (81) is tightly engaged with the second stem (72), and
a surface thereof has an outer threaded segment (811). A lower end of the annular
compressible unit (82) shaped into a cone is connected to the outer threaded segment
(811) of the sleeve (81), and a resilient claw portion (821) is formed at a bottom
thereof. The sleeve (81) is inserted and engaged with a taper base (90), and a supporting
portion (812) is formed at an upper portion thereof for supporting the taper base
(90). The resilient claw portion (821) of the annular compressible unit (82) bears
against the taper base (90) to grip an interior surface of the first stem (71). The
user can adjust the length of the cane (70) by twisting the second stem (72) that
simultaneously drives the sleeve (81) and the taper base (90) to spin. By tightening
or loosening the outer threaded segment (811) of the sleeve (81), the relative positions
between the annular compressible unit (82) and the taper base (90) can be changed
for achieving the effect of adjusting the length of cane (70).
[0003] However, conventional adjustable walking cane (70) is disadvantageous because: (i)
by tightening the outer threaded segment (811) of the sleeve (81), the resilient claw
portion (821) of the annular compressible unit (82) bears against the taper base (90)
to grip the interior surface of the first stem (71). The user need to exert more strength
to compress the sleeve (81) forward to the annular compressible unit (82) while the
position of the outer threaded segment (811) of the sleeve (81) is more closer to
the taper base (90). Also, when the user exerts more strength on the first stem (71),
the outer threaded segment (811) of the sleeve (81) is compressed tightly by the annular
compressible unit (82), so the probability of getting stuck between the annular compressible
unit (82) and the sleeve (81) and the difficulty of disengaging the second stem (72)
by twisting for the user are increased; (ii) the length of the cane (70) is adjusted
by twisting the outer threaded segment (811) of the sleeve (81) and the annular compressible
unit (82). the twisting action is difficult for the user to perform while a surface
of the second stem (72) is smooth; and (iii) the length of the cane (70) is fixed
by bearing against the resilient claw portion (821) of the annular compressible unit
(82) made of the plastic material to grip the interior surface of the first stem (71),
and the frictional resistance is insufficient while the interior surface of the first
stem (71) is smooth. Thus, the cane (70) is not reliable while the annular compressible
unit (82) and the first stem (71) can not be engaged tightly. Therefore, there remains
a need for a new and improved design for an adjustable walking cane to overcome the
problems presented above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides an adjustable walking cane, which comprises an inner
tube, an outer tube, a connecting rod, a pushing unit and an extending unit. The inner
tube is connected to a first handle at one end, and a protruding portion is formed
at the other end thereof. A controlling unit having a cover at one end is formed adjacent
the first handle, and a through hole is formed on the first handle for penetration
by the other end of the controlling unit. The outer tube comprises a non-slip plug
received at one end and a restricting cover is secured on the other end. A block portion
is formed at an inner edge of the restricting cover for engaging with the protruding
portion of the inner tube while the outer tube is connected to the inner tube, and
an inner threaded segment is formed at an inner surface of the outer tube. The connecting
rod driven by pressing the controlling unit is secured with the controlling unit at
one end, and a threaded segment formed at the other end is connected to the outer
tube, and a blocking piece is formed at a central portion thereof. The pushing unit
having a tapered surface at one end is secured at an open end of the inner tube with
the protruding portion thereon, and a connecting portion is formed at the other end
thereof. The connecting portion is compressed against the inner tube, and a plurality
of axial slots are formed thereon for increasing the deformation of the connecting
portion by compression. An annular portion protruding from a middle portion of the
pushing unit is compressed against the open end of the inner tube, and a rod hole
is formed at a top portion of the pushing unit for penetrating by the end of the connecting
rod with the threaded segment, and a spring is formed between the pushing unit and
the blocking piece. The extending unit comprises an axial pore for connecting to the
threaded segment on the end of the connecting rod, and a nut is fastened on the threaded
segment for securing the positions of the extending unit and the pushing unit. A plurality
of extending pieces is formed around the connecting rod, and a resilient sleeve is
formed at an outer edge of an upper end thereof. A first tubular piece and a second
tubular piece protruded from the extending pieces are formed for limiting the position
of the resilient sleeve.
[0005] Comparing with conventional adjustable walking cane, the present invention is advantageous
because: (i) the resilience of the spring compresses the connecting rod against the
extending unit and the pushing unit, and the resilient sleeve bears against the inner
threaded segment of the outer tube, and then the length of the outer tube and inner
tube can be fixed. In extending process, the inner tube and the outer tube are extended
outwardly by directly pulling the cane from two ends thereof, and the inner tube and
the outer tube are released from compression while the resilient sleeve is detached
from the inner threaded segment. In retracting process, by operating the controlling
unit by the user, the inner tube and the outer tube are released from compression
while the extending pieces on the extending unit driven by controlling unit is detached
from the taper surface of the pushing unit, and the length of cane can be adjusted
easily; (ii) the spring of the cane bears against the pushing unit and the blocking
piece of the connecting rod, and the extending pieces on the extending unit compresses
against the taper surface of the pushing unit, and the resilient sleeve compresses
against the inner threaded segment while the taper surface compresses against the
extending pieces. When the cane is in use, the pushing unit driven by the inner tube
compresses against the expending unit, and the expending pieces on the expending unit
is expanded by the pushing unit. Thus, the resilient sleeve tightly compresses against
the inner threaded segment while the user exerts more strength on the first handle,
and the adjustable walking cane is much reliable while the rugged thread of the inner
thread segment and the resilience of the resilient sleeve increase the resistance
between the resilient sleeve and the inner threaded segment; and (iii) the spring
of the cane bears the connecting rod against the extending unit and the pushing unit,
and the resilient sleeve is expanded against the inner threaded segment on the outer
tube, and then the length of the outer tube and inner tube can be fixed. The controlling
unit can be easily operated by axially detaching the taper surface of the pushing
unit from the extending pieces and the resilience of the extending pieces and the
resilient sleeve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006]
FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of the adjustable walking cane of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional, exploded view of the adjustable walking cane of the
present invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the adjustable walking cane of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged drawing of FIG. 3 of the adjustable walking cane in the
present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the adjustable walking cane of the present invention
in extending process.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the adjustable walking cane of the present invention
in retracting process.
FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged drawing of FIG.6 of the adjustable walking cane in the
present invention.
FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional view of another embodiment of the adjustable walking
cane in the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the adjustable walking cane in
the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a prior art.
FIG. 11 is a prior art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently
exemplary device provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention and
is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be
prepared or utilized. It is to be understood, rather, that the same or equivalent
functions and components may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also
intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0008] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the
same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. Although any methods, devices and materials similar or equivalent
to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the exemplary
methods, devices and materials are now described.
[0009] All publications mentioned are incorporated by reference for the purpose of describing
and disclosing, for example, the designs and methodologies that are described in the
publications that might be used in connection with the presently described invention.
The publications listed or discussed above, below and throughout the text are provided
solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing
herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate
such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.
[0010] In order to further understand the goal, characteristics and effect of the present
invention, a number of embodiments along with the drawings are illustrated as following:
[0011] Referring to FIGs. 1 and 2, the present invention provides an adjustable walking
cane, which comprises an inner tube (10), an outer tube (20), a connecting rod (30),
a pushing unit (40) and an extending unit (50). The inner tube (10) is connected to
a first handle (11) at one end, and a protruding portion (12) is formed at the other
end thereof. A controlling unit (60) having a cover (601) at one end is formed adjacent
to the first handle (11), and a through hole (111) is formed on the first handle (11)
for penetrating by the other end of the controlling unit (60). The outer tube (20)
comprises a non-slip plug (21) received at one end and a restricting cover (22) is
secured on the other end. A block portion (221) is formed inside the restricting cover
(22) for engaging with the protruding portion (12) of the inner tube (10) while the
outer tube (20) is connected to the inner tube (10), and an inner threaded segment
(23) is formed at an inner surface of the outer tube (20). The connecting rod (30)
driven by pressing the controlling unit (60) is connected with the controlling unit
(60) at one end, and a threaded segment (31) formed at the other end is connected
to the outer tube (20), and a blocking piece (32) is formed at a central portion thereof.
The pushing unit (40) having a tapered surface (41) at one end is secured at an open
end of the inner tube (10) with the protruding portion (12) thereon, and a connecting
portion (42) is formed at the other end of the pushing unit (40). The connecting portion
(42) is compressed against the inner tube (10), and a plurality of axial slots (421)
are formed thereon to increase the degree of deformation of the connecting portion
(42) caused by the compression. An annular portion (43) protruding from a middle portion
of the pushing unit (40) is compressed against the open end of the inner tube (10)
to secure the pushing unit (40) at one end of the inner tube (10). A rod hole (44)
is formed at a top portion of the pushing unit (40), so the threaded segment (31)
of the connecting rod (30) can penetrate the rod hole (44), and a spring (45) is formed
between the pushing unit (40) and the blocking piece (32). The extending unit (50)
comprises an axial pore (51) for connecting to the threaded segment (31) of the connecting
rod (30), and a nut (52) is fastened on the threaded segment (31) to restrict the
extending unit (50) and the pushing unit (40). A plurality of extending pieces (53)
is formed around the connecting rod (30), and a resilient sleeve (54) is formed at
an outer edge a rear end of the extending piece (53). A first tubular piece (531)
and a second tubular piece (532) protruded from the extending pieces (53) are formed
for restricting the resilient sleeve (54). By using the extending pieces (53) compressing
against the taper surface (41) of the pushing unit (40), the resilient sleeve (54)
is compressed against the inner threaded segment (23) on the outer tube (20), so the
length of the outer tube (20) and the inner tube (10) is fixed.
[0012] Referring to FIGs. 2 and 3, the controlling unit (60) is plugged into the through
hole (111) on the first handle (11) to connect to the threaded segment (31) of the
connecting rod (30), and the inner tube (10) covered by the restricting cover (22)
is locked to the first handle (11). The connecting rod (30) penetrates through the
inner tube (10) to connect to the rod hole (44) on the pushing unit (40), and the
spring (45) disposed on the lower portion thereof. The spring (45) aligned between
the blocking piece (32) and the pushing unit (40) is compressed by the connecting
portion (42) of the pushing unit (40) against the opening of the inner tube (10).
The resilient sleeve (54) disposed on the extending unit (50) is located between the
first annular piece (531) and the second annular piece (532), and the axial hole (51)
on the extending unit (50) is upwardly connected to the end of the connecting rod
(30) with the threaded segment (31). The nut (52) is fastened on the threaded segment
(31) for securing the spring (45), the pushing unit (40) and the extending unit (50)
between the blocking piece (32) and the threaded segment (31). Then, the inner tube
(10) is inserted into an open end of the outer tube (20), and the expanding unit (50)
is secured among the inner threaded segment (23) on the outer tube (20).
[0013] When in use, referring to FIGs. 1 to 4, the spring (45) compressing against the pushing
unit (40) and the blocking piece (32) of the connecting rod (30) tightens the connecting
rod (30) forward the first handle (11), and keeps the expanding pieces (53) of the
expanding unit (50) compress against the taper surface (41) of the pushing unit (40).
The expanding pieces (53) compressed by the taper surface (41) extends outwardly to
compress the resilient sleeve (54) against the inner threaded segment (23) on the
outer tube (20). When the present invention of the adjusted walking cane is in use,
the strength pressed by user is transferred from the handle (11) of the cane to the
inner tube (10). By compressing the resilient sleeve (54) against the inner threaded
segment (23) of the outer tube (20) and pressing the taper surface (41) of the pushing
unit (40) by the end of the inner tube (10), the extending pieces (53) on the extending
unit (50) can be more expanded by the pushing unit (40). In other ward, the resilient
sleeve (54) and the inner threaded segment (23) can be tightly attached each other
when the first handle (11) is much pressed by the user, and the adjustable walking
cane is much reliable while the rugged thread of the inner thread segment (23) and
the resilience of the resilient sleeve (54) increase the resistance between the resilient
sleeve (54) and the inner threaded segment (23).
[0014] Referring to FIGs. 1 to 5, by pulling the cane from two ends thereof, the inner tube
(10) and the outer tube (20) are extended outwardly (the user may hold the first handle
(11) or the inner tube (10) by one hand and hold the outer tube (20) or the anti-slip
plug (21) by the other hand), and the cane can be extended into extending position
without twisting or pressing action. In extending process, the pushing unit (40) can
be driven directly by the inner tube (10) to detach from the extending unit (50) due
to the resistance of the inner threaded segment (23) on the outer tube (20). Further,
the inner tube (10) and the outer tube (20) can be extended easily while the extending
pieces (53) releases the compression from taper surface (41) of the pushing unit (40),
and the resilient sleeve (54) is no longer compressed against the inner threaded segment
(23) on the outer tube (20). Moreover, the spring (45) bearing the blocking piece
(32) of the connecting rod (30) compresses the extending unit (50) against the pushing
unit (40) in any length of cane, then the length of the inner tube (10) and outer
tube (20) can be fixed. When the cane is used for going down the stair, the cane can
be adjusted to a variety of lengths to accommodate different sized people. In retracting
process, referring to FIGs 6 and 7, the user can hold the first handle (11) by one
hand to press the cover (601) of the controlling unit (60), and hold the outer tube
(20) by the other hand to press toward the first handle (11). Specifically, the connecting
rod (30) compressed by the controlling unit (60) is moved toward the end of the anti-slip
plug (21), and the taper surface (41) of the pushing unit (40) is detached from the
extending pieces (53) on the extending unit (50). In retracting process, the inner
tube (10) and the outer tube (20) are released from compression while the resilient
sleeve (54) is detached from the inner threaded segment (23). The controlling unit
(60) can be easily operated by axially detaching the taper surface (41) of the pushing
unit (40) from the extending pieces (53) and the resilience of the extending pieces
(53) and the resilient sleeve (54). Also, the present invention of the adjustable
walking cane has a function to retract the cane against the ground to help the user
stand the body, when the user is in sitting position.
[0015] In one embodiment, referring to FIGs. 8 and 9, a slot (13) is formed at an upper
end of the inner tube (10), and the controlling unit (60) comprises a plug (61), a
sleeve body (62) and a second handle (63). The plug (61) is secured on a top portion
of the connecting rod (30), and a bolt (64) is formed pivotally for securing the second
handle (63) on the sleeve body (62), and the sleeve body (62) secured around the slot
(13) is disposed on the inner tube (10), and one end of the second handle (63) penetrates
through the slot (13) to bear against the plug (61). In retracting process, the user
can pull the second handle (63) by one hand, and the bolt (64) is served as a pivot
of the second handle (63) for rotation, and the plug (61) compressed by the other
end of the second handle (63) drives the connecting rod (30) to adjust the length
of the cane easily.
[0016] Having described the invention by the description and illustrations above, it should
be understood that these are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered
as limiting. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited by the
foregoing description, but includes any equivalents.
1. An adjustable walking cane comprising:
an inner tube connecting to a first handle at one end, a protruding portion formed
at the other end thereof; and a control unit disposed near the first handle;
an outer tube comprising a non-slip plug received at one end and a restricting cover
secured on the other end, and a block portion formed inside the restricting cover
to engage with the protruding portion of the inner tube when the inner tube is received
in the inner tube, and an inner threaded segment formed at an inner surface of the
outer tube;
a connecting rod connecting with the controlling unit at one end, and a threaded segment
formed at the other end and connected to the outer tube, and a blocking piece formed
at a central portion of the connecting rod;
a pushing unit having a tapered surface at one end and secured at an open end of the
protruding portion of the inner tube, and a connecting portion formed at the other
end thereof; and a rod hole formed at a top portion of the pushing unit for the threaded
segment of the connecting rod to penetrate, and a spring formed between the pushing
unit and the blocking piece;
an extending unit comprising an axial pore for connecting to the threaded segment
of the connecting rod, and a nut fastened on the threaded segment for securing the
extending unit and the pushing unit, wherein a plurality of extending pieces are formed
around the connecting rod, and a resilient sleeve is disposed at an outer portion
of the extending pieces, wherein the extending pieces compress against the taper surface
of the pushing unit, while the resilient sleeve is compressed against the inner threaded
segment on the outer tube, so the length of the outer tube and the inner tube is fixed.
2. The adjustable walking cane of claim 1, wherein a first tubular piece and a second
tubular piece protruded from the extending pieces are formed for restricting the resilient
sleeve.
3. The adjustable walking cane of claim 1, wherein an annular portion protruding from
a middle portion of the pushing unit is compressed against the open end of the inner
tube.
4. The adjustable walking cane of claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is compressed
against the inner tube, and a plurality of axial slots are formed thereon to increase
the degree of deformation of the connecting portion.
5. The adjustable walking cane of claim 1, wherein the controlling unit comprises a cover
formed at one end, and a through hole formed on the first handle is penetrated by
the other end thereof, and a connecting rod is driven by pressing the controlling
unit.
6. The adjustable walking cane of claim 1, wherein a slot is formed at an upper end of
the inner tube, and the controlling unit comprises a plug, a sleeve body and a second
handle. The plug is secured on a top portion of the connecting rod, and a bolt is
formed pivotally for securing the second handle on the sleeve body, and the sleeve
body secured around the slot is disposed on the inner tube, and one end of the second
handle penetrates through the slot to bear against the plug, and the connecting rod
is driven by pressing the second handle.