Collapsible cane

• US 4,896,687 A
• Filed: 10/31/1988
• Issued: 01/30/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Americane Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Americane Incorporated
• Inventors: Foxman, Charles, Segal, Barry M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Raduazo, Henry E.
• Application Number:
  US07/264,863
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 135/75, 135/108, 403/109, 403/104
• US Class Current: 135/75
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2009/005 Shafts
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 9/00 Details
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/068 Sticks for blind persons
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32426 Plural distinct positions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32501 Cam or wedge

Abstract

A collapsible cane having a series of interfitting smaller and larger telescoping sections which are interlocked against collapse, when extended, is disclosed. The smaller interfitting telescoping section includes an internal expansion device activated by relative rotary movement between adjacent larger and smaller interfitting telescoping sections for engagement with an inner wall of the larger interfitting telescoping section. The internal expansion device operates against a circumferential depression provided in the larger interfitting telescoping sections enabling the internal expansion device to expand against the internal wall of the larger interfitting telescoping section. At least one of the larger telescoping interfitting sections also includes a second circumferential depression immediately adjacent an outer free end thereof for slidable engagement with an outer wall of an adjacent smaller telescoping interfitting section to provide guiding and centering action between said adjacent interfitting smaller and larger telescoping sections during extension and collapse thereof. In conjunction therewith, the internal expansion device includes an improved positive locking action to positively secure the extended interfitting telescoping sections. To prevent unintended collapse of the telescoping sections, as a result of wear or the like, the second circumferential depression is positioned for engaging the internal expansion device to maintain operative engagement with the internal wall of the larger interfitting telescoping section, in the event of failure of the first circumferential depression worn down by continued used thereof.

Claims

1. A collapsible cane having a series of innerfitting smaller and larger telescoping sections which are interlocked against collapse when extended, each said smaller innerfitting telescoping section carrying internal expansion means activated by relative rotary movement between adjacent larger and smaller innerfitting telescoping sections for engagement with an inner wall of said larger innerfitting telescoping section, said internal expansion means including wedge elements threadably engaged by a common threaded member on opposite sides of a longitudinally slit locking cylinder to provide radial expansion and engagement with the inner wall of said larger innerfitting telescoping section, each said larger innerfitting telescoping section including circumferential depression means against which said internal expansion means operates to expand against an internal wall of said larger innerfitting telescoping section during the relative rotary movement between said sections, at least one of said larger telescoping sections also including a second circumferential depression means longitudinally spaced from said first circumferential depression means and positioned immediately adjacent an outer free end of each said larger telescoping sections, and each said second circumferential depression means in at least one of said larger telescoping sections being slidably engaged by an outer wall of an adjacent smaller telescoping innerfitting section to provide guiding and centering for said adjacent innerfitting smaller and larger telescoping sections during extension and collapse thereof.

2. The collapsible cane as defined in claim 1 wherein each said second circumferential depression means is also positioned for engaging said internal expansion means to maintain operative engagement with the internal wall of said larger interfitting telescoping section, in the event of failure of said first circumferential depression means worn down by continued use thereof.

3. The collapsible cane as defined in claim 2 wherein said interfitting telescoping sections comprise a series of progressively smaller telescoping sections enabling relative telescoping assembly of adjacent telescoping sections within each other and all of said telescoping sections being captured within the largest telescoping section when all of said interfitting telescoping sections are longitudinally collapsed relative to one another.

4. The collapsible cane as defined in claim 3 wherein all but the largest and smallest of said interfitting telescoping sections include both said longitudinally spaced circumferential depression means.

5. The collapsible cane as defined in claim 3 wherein each said internal expansion means and said at least one circumferential depression means are each provided adjacent one end of said interfitting telescoping sections for engagement thereby when extended.

6. The collapsible cane as defined in claim 5 wherein each said internal expansion means of each smaller innerfitting telescoping section includes wedge elements having opposed wedge surfaces for engaging and expanding said associated intermediate longitudinally slit locking cylinder against an internal wall of an adjacent larger innerfitting telescoping section.

7. The collapsible cane as defined in claim 6 wherein said common threaded member is provided with an enlarged head for engaging a transverse end surface of one of said wedge elements, and the other wedge element being pinned to said common threaded member and to said smaller innerfitting telescoping section.

8. The collapsible cane as defined in claim 7 and including external gripping means for gripping the largest interfitting telescoping sections when all of said interfitting telescoping sections are telescoped therein and interlocking said interfitting telescopy sections together as a unit.

9. The collapsible cane as defined in claim 8 wherein said external gripping means comprises a cane tip mounted at an outermost free end of the smallest interfitting telescoping section for engaging and gripping the largest interfitting telescoping section when collapsed one within the other.

10. The collapsible cane as defined in claim 9 wherein said cane tip includes a resiliently expandable collar portion for releasable engagement and disengagement relative to one end of the largest interfitting telescoping section.

11. The collapsible cane as defined in claim 10 wherein the largest interfitting telescoping section at its non-engaged end includes a knob for gripping thereof by a user, said knob including at least one flat section to keep said cane from rolling.

12. The collapsible cane as defined in claim 11 wherein said knob has an exterior polygonal configuration including a plurality of flat sections.

13. The collapsible cane as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second circumferential depression means each comprise a circumferentially continuous groove of uniform cross section throughout.

14. A collapsible cane having a series of interfitting smaller and larger telescoping sections which are interlocked against collapse when extended, each said smaller interfitting telescoping section carrying internal expansion means activated by relative rotary movement between adjacent larger and smaller interfitting telescoping sections for engagement with an inner wall of said larger interfitting telescoping section, each said larger interfitting telescoping section including circumferential depression means against which said internal expansion means operates to expand against an internal wall of said larger telescoping section during the relative rotary movement between said sections, each said internal expansion means including wedge elements threadably engaged by a common threaded member on opposite sides of an intermediate locking cylinder which also extends about said common threaded member, said common threaded member having an enlarged head for engaging a transverse end surface of one of said wedge elements which extends within an adjacent larger interfitting telescoping section while said wedge element is positioned to engage aid circumferential depression means, the other of said wedge elements being pinned to said common threaded member and to its associated smaller interfitting telescoping section with said locking cylinder in substantially non-expanded position therebetween, said wedge element pinned to its associated smaller interfitting telescoping section being moved toward said other wedge element within said larger interfitting telescoping section upon relative rotary movement of said adjacent interfitting smaller and larger interfitting tubular sections to cause said locking cylinder to be expanded against the inner wall of said larger interfitting telescoping section, and said enlarged head of the common threaded member engaging the transverse end surface of said wedge element within the adjacent larger interfitting telescoping section while said wedge element engages both said circumferential depression means in said larger interfitting telescoping section and said locking cylinder, for positive engagement and locking of adjacent smaller and larger interfitting telescoping sections.

15. The collapsible cane as defined in claim 14 wherein at least several of said larger interfitting telescoping sections also including a second circumferential depression means being longitudinally spaced from said first circumferential depression means and immediately positioned adjacent an outer end of each said larger interfitting telescoping section, and each said second circumferential depression means longitudinally spaced from said first circumferential depression means and immediately positioned adjacent an outer end of each said larger interfitting telescoping section, and each said second circumferential depression means in said larger interfitting telescoping sections being slidably engaged by an outer wall of an adjacent smaller telescoping interfitting section to provide guiding and centering action therebetween during extension and collapse thereof.

16. The collapsible cane as defined in claim 15 wherein each said second circumferential depression means is also positioned for engaging said locking cylinder to maintain operative engagement with the internal wall of said larger interfitting telescoping section, in the event of failure of said first circumferential depression means worn down by continued use thereof.

17. The collapsible cane as defined in claim 16 wherein said first and second circumferential depression means comprise a circumferentially continuous groove of uniform section throughout.