Push-Button Walking Cane with Spring Latch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional walking canes are not adequately adjustable, particularly for individuals with arthritis, visual impairment, or hand dexterity issues, making it cumbersome to adjust the length for varying situations, which can hinder mobility and stability.
Innovation Solution
An expandable and collapsible walking cane utilizing a spring-actuated expansion mechanism with an internal latch system, allowing quick and easy height adjustment via a push-button actuation near the handle, enabling the cane to lock at desired lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a twist-to-tighten/loosen mechanism is used to adjust telescopic tubes, then the cane can be adjusted to different lengths, but the adjustment process becomes cumbersome for users with arthritis, visual impairment, or hand dexterity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional twist-to-tighten mechanical threading system with a push-button actuated latch mechanism. The push button releases a latch that allows the inner tube to slide freely, eliminating the need for twisting motions. This substitution transforms a dexterity-intensive mechanical operation into a simple pressing motion that is much easier for users with hand dexterity issues, arthritis, or visual impairment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a latch mechanism as an intermediary between the user's pressing action and the tube adjustment. The latch normally engages with the tube to prevent movement, but when released by the push button, it allows the tube to slide. This intermediary component mediates the transition from a fixed state to an adjustable state, providing controlled ease of adjustment without requiring complex twisting motions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cane length needs to be periodically adjusted for walking, hiking or traveling, then the cane can adapt to different situations, but frequent adjustments turn the cane into a nuisance rather than a benefit
Solution Approach 1:
The push-button latch mechanism replaces the time-consuming twist-to-tighten process with a quick press-and-release action. This allows users to rapidly adjust the cane length between different activities (walking, hiking, traveling) without the cumulative time loss associated with repeated threading operations, preventing the cane from becoming a nuisance.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is pre-positioned and spring-loaded to engage automatically when the tube is extended or collapsed. This preliminary positioning ensures that the cane is ready for immediate use at the desired length, eliminating the need for fine-tuning adjustments and reducing the time required for frequent height changes during different activities.
3Reliability
If standard walking canes are used, then they provide basic mobility assistance, but they have limited length and may not provide adequate support and stability in all situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the cane from a static, fixed-length device into a dynamic, adjustable-length device. The inner tube can slide within the outer tube to provide multiple length configurations, allowing the cane to adapt its support characteristics to different user needs and situations while maintaining structural reliability through the latch mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The cane is segmented into telescopic sections (inner tube and outer tube) that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the overall length to be varied while maintaining the structural integrity of each segment, providing both reliability for support and adaptability for different situations.
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
Provides quick and easy adjustability, enhancing user mobility and stability by allowing the cane to be customized to various heights, reducing the burden of frequent adjustments and improving usability for users with dexterity challenges.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention is directed to an expandable and collapsible mobility cane that uses spring-actuated expansion
Implementation Method 2
The opposing ends of the lock pin are configured to travel within respective carrier slots defined within the pin carrier block
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable walking cane includes an inner tube slidably received within an outer tube. The inner tube defines a plurality of apertures therethrough. A translating rod assembly having a central fixed rod and a concentrically mounted translating member is also included. An actuating assembly including a button proximate the top end of the outer tube is coupled to a first end of the translating member. A pin assembly is located at the bottom end of the outer tube and has a pin reciprocally translatable between an extended position, where the pin engages a selected aperture of the plurality of apertures defined within the inner tube, and a retracted position where the pin disengages from the outer tube. Application of a force upon the button causes the pin to move from the extended position to the retracted position such that the inner tube slides within the outer tube.