Compact Folding Cane with Nesting Segments and Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional folding canes are difficult to organize and store due to round tubing segments, require multiple steps for folding, and often rely on cumbersome elastic straps, making them inconvenient to use.
Innovation Solution
A compact folding cane design featuring collapsible segments with a hinge or connector system, allowing for easy folding and storage, along with a wrist strap for organization, and interchangeable feet for improved safety and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional folding canes use round tubing for shaft segments, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but the segments become hard to organize and difficult to store in a tight, neat manner when folded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the shaft segments from round cross-section to non-round cross-section (such as oval or rectangular). This asymmetric shape allows the segments to nest within each other when folded, creating an organized and compact storage configuration that eliminates the disorganized appearance of round tubing segments.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional folding canes rely on elastic straps for organization, then the cane can be held together when folded, but the strap is difficult for users to utilize and adds complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the shaft segments with self-aligning features such as nesting surfaces, grooves, or asymmetric shapes that automatically organize the segments when folded. The segments self-organize through their geometric design without requiring external elastic straps or additional fastening mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining stability.
3Device complexity
If conventional folding canes require multiple steps for folding, then the hinge mechanism can be simple, but the cane becomes inconvenient to use and requires redundant efforts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a multi-degree-of-freedom hinge mechanism that allows the shaft segments to fold in multiple directions simultaneously. This dynamic hinge system enables the cane to transition from extended to folded position through a single user action, rather than requiring multiple sequential steps, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining acceptable mechanism complexity.
4Volume of moving object
If the cane segments are made collapsible with hinges or connectors, then the cane becomes compact and easy to store, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by designing the shaft segments to nest within each other when folded, similar to Russian nesting dolls. The non-round cross-sectional shapes and nesting surfaces allow each segment to fit tightly within the previous segment, achieving maximum compactness. This geometric nesting approach provides compact storage without requiring complex mechanical connectors or hinges.
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
The design enables a compact, convenient, and aesthetically pleasing folding cane that is easy to use, providing orderly storage and improved safety through interchangeable feet, while reducing the complexity of folding and storage.
Implementation Method 1
a connector system between the two collapsible cane segments. The connector system includes a male connector and a female connector connected by a shock cord
Implementation Method 2
a hinge with two parallel pivot axes between the two collapsible cane segments. The cane segments are configurable between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration by moving the cane segments apart from one another to expose a portion of the hinge, and rotating the cane segments relative to one another about the two pivot axes
Data Source
AI summary
A compact and collapsible cane includes a handle, a tip, and at least two collapsible cane segments joining the handle to the tip. In some aspects, the cane segments are configurable in an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration, where, in the folded configuration, a flat or nesting surface of one of the cane segments abuts a corresponding flat or nesting surface of an adjacent cane segment. In various examples, the collapsible cane includes a hinge with two parallel pivot axes between the two collapsible cane segments. In some examples, the cane includes a connector system with a male connector and a female connector connected by a shock cord between the two collapsible cane segments.


