Versatile walking cane and accessory therefor

Abstract

An accessory device for a cane includes complementary pieces that collectively include at least one of an upward- and/or downward-extending prong positioned to be spaced from the cane's body. These pieces are securable to a shaft of a cane body, e.g., by fastening the pieces to one another by an adjustable strap or bolts/nuts. The downward-extending prong(s) enable the cane to be hooked over and hung from a pocket etc. of the user to free the user's hands from having to support the cane. The upward-extending prong(s) enable another object, such as a bag or purse, to be hung from the cane/accessory device, and thus frees the user's hands from having to carry the bag, etc. while the cane, etc. is in use. Alternatively, the prongs may be formed integrally with the cane, walker, etc. A cane and walker including such prongs are provided also.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A walking cane comprising:
 an elongated rigid cane body having an upper end and a lower end, the cane body comprising a handle disposed proximally to its upper end; and   at least one rigid prong mounted to said cane body intermediate said upper and lower ends of said cane body, said prong being spaced from said cane body.   
     
     
         2 . The walking cane of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one rigid prong extends substantially parallel to said cane body. 
     
     
         3 . The walking cane of  claim 1 , wherein said prong is mounted to extend generally upwardly toward said upper end. 
     
     
         4 . The walking cane of  claim 1 , wherein said prong is mounted to extend generally downwardly toward said lower end. 
     
     
         5 . The walking cane of  claim 1 , wherein said walking cane comprises a pair of prongs, one of said pair of prongs being mounted to extend generally upwardly toward said upper end, another of said pair of prongs being mounted to extend generally downwardly toward said lower end. 
     
     
         6 . The walking cane of  claim 5 , wherein said prongs of said pair of prongs are positioned on one side of said cane body. 
     
     
         7 . The walking cane of  claim 5 , wherein said prongs of said pair of prongs are positioned on opposite sides of said cane body. 
     
     
         8 . The walking cane of  claim 1 , wherein said walking cane comprises first and second pairs of prongs, one of said first pair and one of said second pair of prongs being mounted to extend generally upwardly toward said upper end, another of said first pair and said second pair of prongs being mounted to extend generally downwardly toward said lower end, said second pair of prongs being positioned on said cane body opposite said first pair of prongs. 
     
     
         9 . The walking cane of  claim 1 , wherein said prongs of said pair of prongs are formed integrally with said cane body. 
     
     
         10 . A hand-graspable device for supporting a human while walking or standing, said device comprising:
 an elongated rigid body having an upper end and a lower end, the body comprising a handle disposed proximally to its upper end; and   at least one rigid prong mounted to said body intermediate said upper and lower ends of said body, said prong being spaced from said body.   
     
     
         11 . The hand-graspable device of  claim 10 , wherein said rigid body is part of a walking cane. 
     
     
         12 . The hand-graspable device of  claim 10 , wherein said rigid body is part of a walker. 
     
     
         13 . A walking cane comprising:
 an elongated rigid cane body having an upper end and a lower end, the cane body comprising a handle disposed proximally to its upper end; and   an accessory device mounted to said cane body intermediate said upper and lower ends of said cane body, said accessory device comprising:   a first member comprising a first collar structure and at least a first prong; and   a second member comprising a second collar structure and at least a second prong;   said collar structures of said first and second members being joinable to one another to secure said first and second members to said cane body in a position whereby each of said prongs is spaced from said cane body.   
     
     
         14 . The walking cane of  claim 13 , wherein said collar structures of said first and second members are joinable to secure said first and second members to said cane body in a position whereby each of said prongs extends substantially parallel to said cane body. 
     
     
         15 . The walking cane of  claim 14 , wherein said first and second collar structures are joinable by screws. 
     
     
         16 . The walking cane of  claim 14 , wherein said first and second collar structures define openings for receiving a respective bolt, and said first and second collar structures are joinable by nuts and bolts. 
     
     
         17 . The walking cane of  claim 13 , wherein said first and second collar structures are joinable by a flexible strap. 
     
     
         18 . The walking cane of  claim 13 , wherein each of said first and second collar structures defines a curved surface configured to extend circumferentially around and embrace a tubular frame member. 
     
     
         19 . The walking cane of  claim 13 , wherein each of said first and second collar structures defines a channel having a linear edge configured to extending longitudinally along and abut an elongated frame member. 
     
     
         20 . An accessory device for mounting to a hand-graspable device for supporting a human while walking or standing, said accessory device comprising:
 a first member comprising a first collar structure and at least a first prong; and   a second member comprising a second collar structure and at least a second prong;   said collar structures of said first and second members being joinable to one another to secure said first and second members to said hand-graspable device in a position whereby each of said prongs is spaced from said hand-graspable device when secured between said collar structures.   
     
     
         21 . The accessory device of  claim 20 , wherein said first and second prongs extend in opposite directions from said collar structures. 
     
     
         22 . The accessory device of  claim 20 , wherein said first and second prongs are positioned on one side of said collar structures. 
     
     
         23 . The accessory device of  claim 20 , wherein said first and second prongs are positioned on opposite sides of said collar structures.