Walking Cane With Integrated Sit-to-Stand Handle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional walking canes provide little assistance with sit-to-stand transfers, a common challenge for individuals with balance and strength issues, as they are not designed to facilitate this movement and are often bulky, heavy, and costly when used as separate assistive devices.
Innovation Solution
A dual-purpose walking cane with an integrated second handle that can be selectively extended to provide sit-to-stand assistance, transforming from a conventional walking cane to an assistive device form using a novel mechanism, allowing a user to transition from seated to standing with the aid of an assister, and then revert back to a conventional cane for ambulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate assistive device is used for sit-to-stand transfers, then transfer assistance is provided, but the device becomes bulky, heavy, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a walking cane and sit-to-stand assistive device into a single integrated unit. The cane includes an extendable second handle that can be deployed to provide transfer assistance and retracted for normal walking use, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall weight and portability issues
Solution Approach 2:
The walking cane is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a standard walking cane for balance support during ambulation, and transforms into a sit-to-stand assistive device when the second handle is extended. This multi-functionality allows one device to replace multiple separate assistive devices, reducing weight and cost
2Reliability
If a separate assistive device is used for sit-to-stand transfers, then transfer assistance is provided, but the device becomes bulky and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a walking cane and sit-to-stand assistive device into a single integrated unit. The cane includes an extendable second handle that can be deployed to provide transfer assistance and retracted for normal walking use, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall weight and portability issues
Solution Approach 2:
The second handle is designed to be extendable and retractable, allowing the device to dynamically change its configuration. When extended, it provides the necessary leverage for sit-to-stand transfers; when retracted, it maintains a compact form factor for easy portability during walking
3Ease of operation
If a walking cane is used, then ambulation support is provided, but little assistance is available for sit-to-stand transfers
Solution Approach 1:
The walking cane is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a standard walking cane for balance support during ambulation, and transforms into a sit-to-stand assistive device when the second handle is extended. This multi-functionality allows one device to replace multiple separate assistive devices, reducing weight and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The second handle is designed to be extendable and retractable, allowing the device to dynamically change its configuration. When extended, it provides the necessary leverage for sit-to-stand transfers; when retracted, it maintains a compact form factor for easy portability during walking
Data Source
AI summary
A walking cane may be transformed into an assistive device for sit-to-stand transfers. The device has two sets of opposing handles, which are to be grasped by the user and an assister during sit-to-stand transfers. The transformation is accomplished by deploying a second set of handles by pivoting or rotating from a stored to a utility position. The assistive device form can then be reversed by the user once standing by reversing the deployment.