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

VSEngineering 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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidease of storage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability when foldedVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice 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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehinge mechanism simplicityVSAvoidease of folding
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompactness when foldedVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHinge mechanism: Hinge

Data Source

PatentUS10863803B2Compact folding cane
Publication Date: 2020.12.15 MICHAEL GRAVES DESIGN GROUP
  • US10863803B2 patent drawing
  • US10863803B2 patent drawing
  • US10863803B2 patent drawing

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.