Cane and Method of Use

Abstract

A cane comprising: a handle; a first tube attached to the handle; a second tube in slideable communication with the first tube, the second tube in communication with a cane tip; a spring located in the first tube, and in operable communication with the second tube; the spring preloaded such that when the second tube is fully extended from the first tube, the spring exerts generally about a value F1 of force on the second tube, tending keep the second tube extended from the first tube. A method for using a retractable cane to assist in sitting down. A method of using a retractable cane to rise from a sitting position. A method of using a retractable cane to assist in picking an object up.

1 . A cane comprising:
 a handle;   a first tube attached to the handle;   a second tube in slideable communication with the first tube, the second tube in communication with a cane tip;   a spring located in the first tube, and in operable communication with the second tube;   the spring preloaded such that when the second tube is fully extended from the first tube, the spring exerts generally about a value F 1  of force on the second tube, tending keep the second tube extended from the first tube.   
     
     
         2 . The cane of  claim 1 , wherein F 1  ranges from about 5 pounds to about 15 pounds. 
     
     
         3 . The cane of  claim 1 , wherein F 1  is about 10 pounds. 
     
     
         4 . The cane of  claim 1 , wherein when the second tube is fully extended from the first tube, the total cane length is about 35 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The cane of  claim 1 , wherein when the second tube is retracted into the first tube by about 9 inches from the fully extended position, thus making the cane about 26 inches in length in this retracted configuration, the spring exerts generally about a value F 2  of force on the second tube, tending keep the second tube extended from the first tube. 
     
     
         6 . The cane of  claim 5 , where F 2  ranges from about 30 to about 50 pounds. 
     
     
         7 . The cane of  claim 5 , wherein F 2  is about is about 41 pounds. 
     
     
         8 . The cane of  claim 1 , wherein when the spring is not in a compressed state, the spring has a length of about 25 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The cane of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a slot located generally along a portion of the length of the second tube;   a first opening located on the surface of the first tube;   a connecting member attached to the first opening and in slideable communication with the slot.   
     
     
         10 . The cane of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a second opening located on the surface of the first;   wherein the connecting member is removeably attachable to either the first opening or the second opening, and when the connecting member is attached to the second opening the fully extended length of the cane is greater than when the connecting member is attached to the first opening.   
     
     
         11 . The cane of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a third opening located on the surface of the first;   wherein the connecting member is removeably attachable to either the first opening or the third opening, and when the connecting member is attached to the third opening the fully extended length of the cane is less than when the connecting member is attached to the first opening.   
     
     
         12 . The cane of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting member is a clevis and cotter pin. 
     
     
         13 . The cane of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lubricant located on the surface of the spring.   
     
     
         14 . The cane of  claim 1 , wherein the lubricant is an oil based enamel. 
     
     
         15 . The cane of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lubricant located on the inner surface of the first tube.   
     
     
         16 . A method for using a retractable cane to assist in sitting down, the method comprising:
 standing with the cane slightly in front of the user, with one or two hands on top of the handle;   bending knees and at the waist so that user's torso or chest approaches the cane's handle;   applying a force down on the cane, causing the retraction of the second tube into the first tube;   tilting the cane back towards torso or chest;   resting chest or torso on hands located on the cane's handle;   applying more down on the cane, causing more retraction of the second tube into the first tube; and   easing into a sitting position.   
     
     
         17 . A method of using a retractable cane to rise from a sitting position, the method comprising:
 sitting with cane slightly in front of a user, with one or two hands on top of the handle;   applying a force down on the cane, causing the retraction of the second tube into the first tube;   tilting the cane back towards user's torso or chest;   bending over the cane so that chest or torso rests on hands that are on the cane's handle;   applying more force down on the cane, causing more retraction of the second tube into the first tube; and   rising to a standing position by pushing down on the cane, and using his or her legs.   
     
     
         18 . A method of using a retractable cane to assist in picking an object up, the method comprising:
 standing with the cane slightly in front of a user, with one or two hands on top of the handle;   bending knees and bending at the waist so that the user's torso or chest approaches the cane's handle;   applying a force down on the cane, causing the retraction of the second tube into the first tube;   resting user's chest or torso on user's hands located on the cane's handle;   reaching and grabbing the desired object; and   pushing down on the cane to rise to an upright standing position.