Covertible trek pole

Abstract

A mobility aid in the form of a trek pole is disclosed. The trek pole has a lower portion adapted to be maintained in a generally upright position when in use, an upper handle portion, and a joint between the lower portion and the upper handle portion. The joint enables the upper handle portion to be moved between an upright position typical of a trek pole, in which the upper handle portion extends upwardly from an upper end of the lower portion, to a horizontal position which provides the advantages of a cane, in which the upper handle portion extends outwardly from an upper end of the lower portion.

1 . A mobility aid comprising:
 an upright body member;   a handle portion located at an upper end defined by the upright body member; and   a joint between the handle portion and the upper end of the upright body member, wherein the joint enables the handle portion to be converted from an upright position in which the handle portion extends generally upwardly from the upper end defined by the upright body member to an outwardly extending position in which the handle portion extends approximately 65° to 115° outwardly from the upper end defined by the upright body member.   
     
     
         2 . The mobility aid of  claim 1 , wherein the upright body member is comprised of a plurality of sections that telescope into one another for reducing the length of the upright body member. 
     
     
         3 . The mobility aid of  claim 1 , wherein the upright body member is hollow and comprised of a lightweight material. 
     
     
         4 . The mobility aid of  claim 1 , wherein the joint is configured to selectively lock the handle portion in one of the upwardly extending position and the outwardly extending position. 
     
     
         5 . The mobility aid of  claim 1 , wherein the joint is configured to selectively lock the handle portion in a plurality of positions between the upwardly extending position and the outwardly extending position. 
     
     
         6 . The mobility aid of  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion has a finger gripping portion and a palm gripping portion. 
     
     
         7 . The mobility aid of  claim 3 , wherein the upright body member contains a storage compartment. 
     
     
         8 . The mobility aid of  claim 3 , wherein the upright body member contains an accessory device. 
     
     
         9 . The mobility aid of  claim 3 , wherein the upright body member contains an electronic device. 
     
     
         10 . A mobility aid comprising:
 an upright body member;   a handle portion located at an upper end defined by the upright body member; and a joint between the handle portion and the upper end of the upright body member, wherein the joint enables the handle portion to be converted from an upright position in which the handle portion extends generally upwardly from the upper end defined by the upright body member to an outwardly extending position in which the handle portion extends outwardly from the upper end such that the angle between the upright position and outwardly extending position is approximately 90° .   
     
     
         11 . The mobility aid of  claim 10 , wherein the upright body member is comprised of a plurality of sections that telescope into one another for reducing the length of the upright body member, and wherein the upright body member is comprised of a lightweight material. 
     
     
         12 . The mobility aid of  claim 10 , wherein the joint is configured to selectively lock the handle portion in one of the upwardly extending position and the outwardly extending position. 
     
     
         13 . The mobility aid of  claim 10 , wherein the joint is configured to selectively lock the handle portion in a plurality of positions between the upwardly extending position and the outwardly extending position. 
     
     
         14 . A method of using a mobility aid comprising the steps of:
 grasping a handle of the mobility aid, the handle having a first, finger grasping portion and a second, palm grasping portion on generally opposite sides of the handle;   converting the handle from an upright walking-stick position, in which the first grasping portion and the second grasping portion are both employed, to an outwardly extending cane position; and   reorienting the mobility aid for use as a cane.