Standing assist cane

Abstract

A variable length cane generally comprises a first member and second member slideably connected to the first member. The first member has a first inside diameter, a first end, and a second end. The second member has a ground engaging end, an upper end, and an intermediate section between the ground engaging end and the upper end. The upper end of the second member has a second inside diameter. The upper end and a portion of the intermediate section are slideably connected to the first member. A ball screw, have a ball nut threaded thereon, is inserted into the second member, where the ball nut is attached to the second member. Power means rotate the ball screw causing the ball nut to travel along a portion of the length of the ball screw, with the second member moving in combination with the ball nut, causing the cane to either extend or contract. The cane may be used to assist a user to come to a standing position, or support a user in coming to a sitting position.

1 . A cane comprising: 
 a first member having a first inside diameter, a first end, and a second end;    a second member having a ground engaging end, an upper end, and an intermediate section between the ground engaging end and the upper end, the upper end having a second inside diameter, the upper end and a portion of the intermediate section slideably connected to the first member;    a ball screw having an top end and a bottom end, and a ball nut threaded onto the ball screw, the bottom end of the ball screw inserted into the second member and the ball nut attached to the second member;    power means for rotating the ball screw, the power means operably attached to the ball screw; and    means for activating the power means.    
   
   
       2 . The cane of  claim 1  wherein a motor housing is attached to the first end.  
   
   
       3 . The cane of  claim 2  wherein the power means is contained within the motor housing.  
   
   
       4 . The cane of  claim 3  further comprising a handle member attached to the motor housing.  
   
   
       5 . The cane of  claim 1  wherein the ball nut is enclosed within a housing, the housing having an outer surface.  
   
   
       6 . The cane of  claim 5  wherein the housing comprises a thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       7 . The cane of  claim 5  wherein the outer surface engages the second inside diameter by a friction fit.  
   
   
       8 . The cane of  claim 1  wherein the ball screw comprises a first stop pin extending from the surface of the ball screw adjacent to the top end and a second stop pin extending from the surface of the ball screw adjacent to the bottom end.  
   
   
       9 . The cane of  claim 8  wherein the ball nut freewheels upon engaging either the first stop pin or the second stop pin.  
   
   
       10 . The cane of  claim 1  wherein the power means comprises an electric motor.  
   
   
       11 . The cane of  claim 10  further comprising a current source for operating the electric motor.  
   
   
       12 . The cane of  claim 11  wherein the current source comprises a battery.  
   
   
       13 . The cane of  claim 12  wherein the battery is rechargeable.  
   
   
       14 . The cane of  claim 11  wherein the means for activating the power means comprises a switch electrically connected to the current source, the switch having at least three positions.  
   
   
       15 . The cane of  claim 14  wherein when the switch is in the first position the ball screw rotates in a clockwise direction.  
   
   
       16 . The cane of  claim 14  wherein when the switch is in the second position the ball screw rotates in a counter-clockwise direction.  
   
   
       17 . The cane of  claim 14  wherein when the switch is in the third position, current flow to the power means is stopped.  
   
   
       18 . The cane of  claim 1  wherein the ball screw is attached to the power means by a plurality of gears.  
   
   
       19 . The cane of  claim 18  wherein the ball screw is attached to the power means by a planetary gear train.  
   
   
       20 . A cane comprising: 
 a first member having a first inside diameter, a first end, and a second end;    a second member having a ground engaging end, an upper end, and an intermediate section between the ground engaging end and the upper end, the upper end having a second inside diameter, the upper end and a portion of the intermediate section slideably inserted within the second end of the first member;    a ball screw having an top end and a bottom end, and a ball nut threaded onto the ball screw, the bottom end of the ball screw inserted into the second member and the ball nut attached to the second member;    power means for rotating the ball screw, the rotation causing the ball nut to traverse a portion of a length of the ball screw, the power means operably attached to the ball screw; and    means for activating the power means.    
   
   
       21 . The cane of  claim 20  wherein a motor housing is attached to the first end.  
   
   
       22 . The cane of  claim 20  wherein the power means is contained within the motor housing.  
   
   
       23 . The cane of  claim 20  wherein the ball nut is enclosed within a housing, the housing having an outer surface.  
   
   
       24 . The cane of  claim 23  wherein the housing comprises a thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       25 . The cane of  claim 23  wherein the outer surface engages the second inside diameter by a friction fit.  
   
   
       26 . The cane of  claim 20  wherein the ball screw comprises a first stop pin extending from the surface of the ball screw adjacent to the top end and a second stop pin extending from the surface of the ball screw adjacent to the bottom end.  
   
   
       27 . The cane of  claim 26  wherein the ball nut freewheels upon engaging either the first stop pin or the second stop pin.  
   
   
       28 . The cane of  claim 20  wherein the power means comprises an electric motor.  
   
   
       29 . The cane of  claim 28  further comprising a current source for operating the electric motor.  
   
   
       30 . The cane of  claim 29  wherein the current source comprises a battery.  
   
   
       31 . The cane of  claim 30  wherein the battery is rechargeable.  
   
   
       32 . The cane of  claim 21  further comprising a handle member attached to the motor housing.  
   
   
       33 . The cane of  claim 32  wherein a battery is enclosed within the handle member.  
   
   
       34 . The cane of  claim 33  wherein the battery is rechargeable.  
   
   
       35 . The cane of  claim 34  wherein the handle member further comprises a port for connecting a recharging unit.  
   
   
       36 . The cane of  claim 29  wherein the means for activating the power means comprises a switch electrically connected to the current source, the switch having at least three positions.  
   
   
       37 . The cane of  claim 36  wherein when the switch is in the first position the ball screw rotates in a clockwise direction.  
   
   
       38 . The cane of  claim 36  wherein when the switch is in the second position the ball screw rotates in a counter-clockwise direction.  
   
   
       39 . The cane of  claim 36  wherein when the switch is in the third position, current flow to the power means is stopped.  
   
   
       40 . The cane of  claim 20  wherein the ball screw is attached to the power means by a plurality of gears.  
   
   
       41 . The cane of  claim 40  wherein the ball screw is attached to the power means by a planetary gear train.  
   
   
       42 . A cane comprising: 
 a first member having a first end, a second end, and a first inside diameter;    a second member having a ground engaging end, an upper end, and an intermediate section between the ground engaging end and the upper end, the upper end having a second inside diameter, the upper end and a portion of the intermediate section slideably inserted within the second end of the first member, the cane having a variable length defined by the distance between the first end and the ground engaging end;    a ball screw comprising a top end, a bottom end, and a ball nut threaded onto the ball screw, the ball screw substantially contained within the second member and the ball nut attached within the second inside diameter;    an electric motor operably attached to the ball gear;    a battery connected to the electric motor; and    means for activating the electric motor, wherein the ball nut travels longitudinally along the ball screw when the electric motor is activated, the length of the cane increasing as the ball nut travels toward the bottom end of the ball screw and the length of the cane decreasing as the ball nut travels towards the top end of the ball screw.    
   
   
       43 . The cane of  claim 42  further comprising a motor housing attached to the first end.  
   
   
       44 . The cane of  claim 43  wherein the electric motor is contained within the motor housing.  
   
   
       45 . The cane of  claim 42  wherein a plurality of gears operationally connects the electric motor to the ball screw.  
   
   
       46 . The cane of  claim 42  wherein the ball nut is enclosed within a housing, the housing having an outer surface.  
   
   
       47 . The cane of  claim 46  wherein the housing comprises a thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       48 . The cane of  claim 46  wherein the outer surface engages the second inside diameter by a friction fit.  
   
   
       49 . The cane of  claim 42  further comprising a first stop pin extending from the surface of the ball screw adjacent to the top end and a second stop pin extending from the ball screw adjacent to the bottom end.  
   
   
       50 . The cane of  claim 49  wherein the ball nut freewheels upon engaging either the first stop pin or the second stop pin.  
   
   
       51 . The cane of  claim 42  wherein the battery is rechargeable.  
   
   
       52 . The cane of  claim 43  further comprising a handle member attached to the motor housing.  
   
   
       53 . The cane of  claim 52  wherein the battery is enclosed within the handle member.  
   
   
       54 . The cane of  claim 42  wherein the ball screw comprises a spline gear attached to the top end.  
   
   
       55 . The cane of  claim 54  wherein the spline gear is supported within the first member by a first bearing means.  
   
   
       56 . The cane of  claim 42  wherein the bottom end of the ball screw is supported within the second member by a second bearing means.  
   
   
       57 . The cane of  claim 56 , wherein the second bearing means comprises a clutch bearing.  
   
   
       58 . The cane of  claim 57 , wherein the clutch bearing is encased within a bearing housing.  
   
   
       59 . The cane of  claim 58 , wherein the bearing housing comprises a thermoplastic material.