Walking Cane Suspension Grapple for Tipping Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension devices for walking canes do not effectively prevent them from tipping over during storage, and there is a need for a solution that can accommodate canes with tubular cross sections.
Innovation Solution
A suspension device comprising a sleeve with a grapple that can be pivotally coupled to a walking cane, allowing the cane to be suspended from a support for storage without tipping, featuring a deployable and storable grapple mechanism that engages a support for secure hanging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a biased clip or clamping mechanism is integrated into the walking cane, then the cane can be engaged with a support for storage, but the cane may still tip over during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The grapple is designed as a movable, pivotally coupled component that can transition between a stored position (lying against the sleeve) and a deployed position (extending outwardly to engage the support). This dynamic mechanism allows the suspension device to adapt to different storage conditions while maintaining reliability, resolving the contradiction between storage stability and device complexity by providing motion rather than static structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension device is divided into distinct functional components: a sleeve that attaches to the cane and a separately pivotally coupled grapple that engages the support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the sleeve provides attachment while the grapple provides stable engagement - thereby achieving reliable storage without requiring a single complex integrated mechanism.
2Reliability
If a grapple is deployed to extend outwardly from the sleeve, then the walking cane can be securely engaged to a support, but the grapple occupies additional space when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The grapple is designed to nest against the sleeve when in the stored position, with the grapple lying flat against the outer surface of the sleeve. This nesting arrangement minimizes the volume occupied by the grapple when not in use, allowing the suspension device to maintain secure engagement capability without permanently occupying additional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The grapple's ability to pivot between stored and deployed positions allows it to occupy minimal space during normal carrying (stored position) while providing full suspension security when needed (deployed position). This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction by making the space occupation temporary and conditional rather than permanent.
3Ease of operation
If the sleeve is designed to be openable and closable around the walking cane, then the sleeve can be easily removed and attached, but the closure mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve employs a pivotal closure mechanism where the first and second halves can rotate relative to each other to open and close around the cane. This dynamic opening/closing action provides ease of attachment and removal without requiring complex fasteners, screws, or multiple components - simply a hinge-like pivot that allows the sleeve to envelop the cane securely yet be easily opened when needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables secure storage of walking canes without tipping, accommodating canes with tubular cross sections by providing a stable suspension system that can be easily deployed and stowed, ensuring the cane remains upright and accessible.
Implementation Method 1
a sleeve is provided and the sleeve is comprised of a first half which is pivotally coupled to a second half. The sleeve is closeable around the walking cane
Implementation Method 2
A grapple is pivotally coupled to the sleeve and the grapple is positionable in a deployed position having the grapple extending outwardly from the sleeve. In this way the grapple can engage a support for suspending the walking cane from the support for storage
Data Source
AI summary
A walking cane suspension assembly includes a walking cane that can support a user while the user is walking. A sleeve is provided and the sleeve is comprised of a first half which is pivotally coupled to a second half. The sleeve is closeable around the walking cane and the sleeve is openable to facilitate the sleeve to be removed from the walking cane. A grapple is pivotally coupled to the sleeve and the grapple is positionable in a deployed position having the grapple extending outwardly from the sleeve. In this way the grapple can engage a support for suspending the walking cane from the support for storage. Additionally, the grapple is positionable in a stored position having the grapple lying against the sleeve.