Clamp attachment for a cane

Abstract

A clamp attachment for a cane, includes a slide member adapted to slide axially along a cane shaft. Stops are provided for limiting axial movement of the slide member. A clamp is secured to the slide member. The slide member adjusts the height of the clamp to accommodate attachment to objects of differing height.

1 . A clamp attachment for a cane, comprising: 
 a slide member adapted to slide axially along a cane shaft;    means for limiting axial movement of the slide member; and    a clamp secured to the slide member.    
   
   
       2 . The clamp attachment as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the means for limiting axial movement of the slide member includes a first stop adapted to be secured to the cane for limiting axial movement of the slide member in a first axial direction and a second stop adapted to be secured to the cane for limiting axial movement of the slide member in a second axial direction, the second stop being axially spaced from the first stop, thereby accommodating axial movement of the slide member.  
   
   
       3 . The clamp attachment as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the clamp is secured to the slide member by a linkage, which is adapted to permit omni-directional adjustment of the orientation of the clamp.  
   
   
       4 . The clamp attachment as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the clamp has a wire spring body with arms that intersect at a intersecting point, contact members being positioned at remote ends of the intersected arms on a first side of the intersecting point, the wire spring body having a hand gripping portion positioned on a second side of the intersecting point, the contact members being biased by the wire spring body toward each other, squeezing the hand gripping portion of the wire spring body causing the contact members to move away from each other.  
   
   
       5 . The clamp attachment as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the clamp assumes a stored position clamped onto the cane shaft.  
   
   
       6 . A clamp attachment for a cane, comprising: 
 a slide member adapted to slide axially along a cane shaft;    a first stop adapted for positioning on the cane shaft for limiting axial movement of the slide member in a first axial direction;    a second stop adapted for positioning on the cane shaft for limiting axial movement of the slide member in a second axial direction, the second stop being axially spaced from the first stop, thereby accommodating axial movement of the slide member; and    a clamp secured to the slide member by a linkage, which is adapted to permit omni-directional adjustment of the orientation of the clamp and permit the clamp to assume a stored position clamped onto the cane shaft, the clamp having a wire spring body with arms that intersect at a intersecting point, contact members being positioned at remote ends of the intersected arms on a first side of the intersecting point, the wire spring body having a hand gripping portion positioned on a second side of the intersecting point, the contact members being biased by the wire spring body toward each other, squeezing the hand gripping portion of the wire spring body causing the contact members to move away from each other.    
   
   
       7 . In combination: 
 a cane shaft;    a slide member secured to and axially slidable along the cane shaft;    a first stop positioned on the cane shaft for limiting axial movement of the slide member in a first axial direction;    a second stop positioned on the cane shaft for limiting axial movement of the slide member in a second axial direction, the second stop being axially spaced from the first stop, thereby accommodating axial movement of the slide member; and    a clamp secured to the slide member by a linkage, which is adapted to permit omni-directional adjustment of the orientation of the clamp and permit the clamp to assume a stored position clamped onto the cane, the clamp having a wire spring body with arms that intersect at a intersecting point, contact members being positioned at remote ends of the intersected arms on a first side of the intersecting point, the wire spring body having a hand gripping portion positioned on a second side of the intersecting point, the contact members being biased by the wire spring body toward each other, squeezing the hand gripping portion of the wire spring body causing the contact members to move away from each other.