Walking stick with a plurality of spring-activated feet

Abstract

The invention is a versatile walking stick that can be used in a wide variety of environments, including (but not limited to) swamps and wetlands. The walking stick includes a first end, an opposed second end, and a body that spans the distance between the two ends. The second end of the walking stick includes two or more feet that extend outwards from a central support. Advantageously, the spring actuated feet are configured to fold under tension when pulled in an upward direction (e.g., out of mud or any other tacky material). Once freed from the mud, the feet spring upwards and provide a wide surface area that allows a user to easily move through the terrain.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A walking stick comprising:
 a body comprising a first end and an opposed second end, with a length therebetween;   a central support positioned at the second end of the body, the central support defined by a plurality of spring-loaded feet, each foot comprising:
 a first end attached to an outer edge of the central support and an opposed second end distally positioned from the first end; 
 a top face and an opposed bottom face, wherein the bottom face includes a hinge; 
 wherein the first end has a width that is less than a width of the second end; 
   wherein each foot is configured to flex in an upward or downward direction at the hinge, above and below the central support in response to pressure; and   wherein each foot is configured to flex independently of the other feet.   
     
     
         2 . The walking stick of  claim 1 , wherein the first body end comprises a grip. 
     
     
         3 . The walking stick of  claim 2 , wherein the grip comprises rubber, foam, plastic, fabric, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The walking stick of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a length of about 3-6 feet and a diameter of about 0.5-3 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The walking stick of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises an adjustable length. 
     
     
         6 . The walking stick of  claim 1 , wherein the body first end comprises a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the body second end. 
     
     
         7 . The walking stick of  claim 1 , wherein the body second end comprises a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the body first end. 
     
     
         8 . The walking stick of  claim 1 , wherein the central support includes a central bore that enable attachment to the second end of the body. 
     
     
         9 . The walking stick of  claim 1 , wherein each foot is configured to rotate above and below horizontal. 
     
     
         10 . The walking stick of  claim 1 , wherein each foot is configured to rotate about 5-75 degrees above or below horizontal. 
     
     
         11 . The walking stick of  claim 1 , wherein the feet are symmetrically arranged about an outer edge of the central support. 
     
     
         12 . The walking stick of  claim 1 , where the first end of each foot has a width of about 0.5-2 inches and the second end of each foot has a width of about 1.5-5 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The walking stick of  claim 1 , wherein each foot has a thickness of about 0.1-1 inch. 
     
     
         14 . The walking stick of  claim 1 , wherein each foot includes an extending point at the second end that extends away from the first end of the foot. 
     
     
         15 . The walking stick of  claim 1 , wherein each foot includes a first extended configuration and a second flexed configuration. 
     
     
         16 . A method of traversing muddy terrain, the method comprising:
 positioning the walking stick of  claim 1  adjacent to the muddy terrain and exerting pressure on the first end of the walking stick that is transferred to the feet, whereby the feet extend in a first and extended configuration as the feet contact the muddy terrain;   pulling upward on the body of the walking stick to remove the feet from the muddy terrain, whereby the feet of the walking stick flex into a second angled configuration as the walking stick is pulled from the muddy terrain;   wherein once the feet are removed from the muddy terrain, they revert to the first extended configuration.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein each foot is configured to rotate about 5-75 degrees above or below horizontal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein each foot includes an extending point at the second end that extends away from the first end of the foot. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the body has a length of about 3-6 feet and a diameter of about 0.5-3 inches. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the body has an adjustable length.