CA2816206A1 - Cane clamp therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

The cane clamp is a device that allows a cane temporary attachment to a horizontal surface.
The main body has two paddles, both attached with pin joints. The lower paddle acts like a jaw that is driven by a spring. Both paddles have a spring located at the pin joint. The lower paddle spring holds the paddle flush to the main body while the upper paddle spring holds the paddle out and away from the main body. In the closed position, the top paddle is tucked beneath the bottom paddle and held flat and flush to the main body by the bottom paddle. When the bottom paddle is actuated, the top paddle is released and flips up to a horizontal position. A horizontal surface is then brought between the two paddles and the lower paddle is released, clamping on to the surface.

Description

Cane Clamp Therefor Background Of The Invention For those who rely on them, canes are recognized as an essential item for walking safely.
Canes are used in every imaginable store and outing. As much as they are needed while walking, they are difficult to manage while seated or when you need both hands free for a different task. There have been several attempts to solve this problem, but no flexible, viable device has ever been engineered. A cane clamp needs to adjust automatically to varying thicknesses, fit equally well on different diameter canes, look good when attached to the cane and most importantly, be strong enough to hold the cane steady in case the clamping surface or cane itself is bumped.
Prior inventions did not take into account the mass of the cane, the need for strength or the need to automatically adjust to different surface thickness and types.
Prior art which is similar in approach or method is shown for reference below:
Citing Patent Filing Date Publication Applicant Title Date US201100179 Jun 20,2008 Oct 19, 2010 Cannata Golf ball ill Joseph M proximity to hole measurement US8333358 Sep 24, 2009 Dec 18, 2012 Carnes Jim Fishing rod holder device and associated methods US201000723 Sep 24, 2009 Mar 25, 2010 Carnes Jim Fishing rod 33 holder device and associated methods US201100179 Jul 1, 2010 Jan 27, 2011 Denburg Ina Cane holder US201200977 Oct 24, 2010 Apr 26, 2012 Lee Robert Utility holder for mobility assistance device US2913797 Nov 18, 1957 Nov 24, 1959 Hollis Fastening device Clinton R
US4300742 Aug 9, 1979 Nov 17,1981 Hunn; Cane holder Douglas C.
US4334692 Oct 18, 1979 Jun 15, 1982 Lynch; Detachable Marvin P. umbrella support assembly for a golf cart US4741283 Nov 4, 1986 May 3, 1988 Conner; Ellis Boat securer US4895330 Mar 13, 1989 Jan 23, 1990 Anstead; Cane holder Richard F.
US4896465 Nov 18, 1988 Jan 30, 1990 Hauze; Retainer Dennis R. apparatus US5000418 Aug 22, 1989 Mar 19, 1991 Vogt; Walter Device for temporarily fixing a stick to a support US5249770 Aug 16, 1991 Oct 5, 1993 Louthan; Beverage Connie S. container holder US5295498 Feb 19, 1993 Mar 22, 1994 Van Meter; Device to aid Larry E. persons rising form a seated position 1JS5316356 May 3, 1993 May 31, 1994 Nutting; Game dragging Frederick S. device US5857651 Dec 9, 1996 Jan 12, 1999 Kane Bow holding Products, device Inc.
US6138976 Mar 22, 1996 Oct 31, 2000 Fahringer, Fishing pole Sr.; Stephen holder A.
US6311942 Mar 4, 1999 Nov 6, 2001 Lenjoy Bedside cane Engineering, holder Inc.
US6502283 Sep 7, 2001 Jan 7, 2003 Aguirre Cane clip Chuck J. attachment US6691722 Jun 19, 2002 Feb 17, 2004 Brenda Walking cane Allen holder apparatus US6971612 Nov 18, 2003 Dec 6, 2005 Wilson- Baby bottle Lowery holder Veronica US7021324 Sep 3, 2003 Apr 4, 2006 Clay Charles Walker with cane holder and non-catch castors US200201526 Apr 17,2002 Oct 24, 2002 Harvanek Utility strap for Daniel fishing equipment US200400205 Jul 31, 2002 Feb 5, 2004 Mcconnell Walking cane 24 Bernard E. retainer 1JS200500986 Nov 10, 2003 May 12, 2005 Hollenbeck Cane holder 95 Larry L.
US200602263 Feb 6, 2006 Oct 12, 2006 Beasley Walking aid 15 Betty retention device USD418286 Jul 22, 1998 Jan 4, 2000 Crutch holder US7422188B1 Sept 13, 2006 Sep 9, 2008 Harold L. Walking cane Schlosser clamp Summary Of The Invention The present invention provides a robust clamp that automatically adjusts to different surface thicknesses and types. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a body, two paddles, one spring pin axle and one dowel axle, two torsion springs, two soft elastomeric compliant patches, one hook and loop strap and two long, thin elastomeric compliant strips. The cane clamp has two distinct positions, open and closed.
In the closed position, the bottom paddles holds the top paddle flush to the body by spring force. The user opens the clamp by rotating the lower paddle out and away from the main body, allowing the top paddle to spring out to a position that is perpendicular to the main body of the clamp. A horizontal surface is then placed between the two open paddles.
The lower paddle is then released and the spring force provides a temporary, sturdy attachment for the cane.
Fig. 1 is an isometric view illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention with both lower paddle and upper paddle shown open position, the upper paddles being held against the stops at an angle that is perpendicular to the main body and the lower paddle held open by a person against the spring force;
Fig. 2 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 3 is a side view showing the cane clamp in the closed position and installed on a cane;
Fig. 4 is a side view showing the cane clamp in the open position and installed on a cane;
Fig. 5 is a side view of the cane in the open position, installed on a cane and clamped on a countertop;
Fig. 6 is a side view showing with individual parts shown for reference;
Fig. 7 shows cross section A-A;
Fig. 8 shows cross section B-B;
Fig. 9 shows cross section C-C;

Detailed Description Of The Invention Reference Fig. 6 to 9 for all item numbers.
In the particularly advantageous embodiment illustrated, the cane clamp consists of 12 individual parts as shown in figs. 6 through 9.
Fig 6. Illustrates the top paddle 2 and the top paddle compliant patch 3. Top paddle compliant patch 3 is bonded permanently to top paddle 2 and serves to increase the friction between the top paddle 2 and a clamping surface, such as a countertop. The main body 1 has a geometric feature such that the rotary travel of top paddle 2 is limited in range so that it cannot extend more than 90 degrees from the long axis of main body 1. This allows the top paddle to sit flat and flush with the clamping surface and inhibits the paddle from extending beyond perpendicular. The bottom compliant patch 4 is bonded permanently to the bottom paddle 5 and serves to increase friction when the device is clamped to a surface. Bottom compliant patch 4 also acts as a spring, with the compliant tip deforming and exerting a constant force upwards and into the countertop, driven by the force of the bottom torsion spring 10. The bottom paddle has a geometric feature on the outer edge which allows the user to easily rotate the bottom paddle down and out. This is formed to match the shape of a finger nicely.
The main body 1 has concentric holes on the top edge to allow for the pin joint of the top paddle 2. The upper torsion spring 8 sits in the center of the top paddle 2 and is nested and covered by the top paddle 2. In the same region, at the top of the main body 1, there is a hole for one end of the upper torsion spring 8. The other end of the upper torsion spring 8 is placed inside the upper paddle 2 allowing the spring to provide a force between the two components, 2 and 1, in a clockwise direction when viewed from fig. 6.
The main body 1 has concentric holes on the bottom edge to allow for the pin joint of the bottom paddle. The lower torsion spring 10 sits in between these two holes and is nested and covered by the bottom paddle 5. In the same region, at the bottom of the main body, there is a hole for one side of the lower torsion spring 10. The other end of the lower torsion spring is placed inside the bottom paddle 5 allowing the spring to provide a force between the two components, 5 and 1, in a counter-clockwise direction when viewed from fig. 6.
The main body has a cylindrical cut down the long axis on the rear with two elastomeric strips adhered or molded, 11 and 12, which are identical. The spacing and size of these strips allow for canes of 0.5" to 1" to remain in contact with the strips, while the hook and loop strap 6 holds the device onto the cane. These two strips are very important to the overall function of the device as they prevent axial and radial movement of the device with respect to the cane, ensuring the device stays in the spot it is placed at all times.
Hook and loop strap 6 attaches to the main body 2 through the geometric shapes of the main body 1 which forms two slots. Strap 6 has a permanent loop in one end which loops around the geometric feature in the main case. The other end of strap 6 is part hook and part loop on the outer surface. The strap 6 then loops out around the cane and back in and through the other, identical geometric feature in main body 1, then coming back around and latching on itself over the cane, as shown in fig. 10.

Claims (18)

1. A clamp attachment for a cane, comprising:
two or more paddles that together act to clamp a horizontal surface;
a means to limit motion once attached to a surface;
a means to attach to varying diameter cylindrical objects;
a means to limit axial motion on a cylindrical object;
a means to provide rotary force to the paddles;
a means to use a finger to induce a rotary motion in a paddle.

2. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein there are two paddles that have limited rotary movement, each with a pinned joint, each with an applied rotary force at the pinned joint, each with a

3. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein both paddles have a pinned joint at one end.

4. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein both paddles have an applied rotary force at the pinned joint through a torsion spring or similar element, the bottom paddle being sprung in and towards the main body of the device, the top paddle being sprung out and away from the device.

5. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein the spring force of the bottom paddle overcomes the spring force of the top paddle such that in a closed condition, the bottom paddle tends to hold the top paddle in and generally parallel to the main body of the device.

6. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein both paddles have compliant element bonded to one surface, the bottom paddle has a compliant element bonded to the tip that is ribbed in order to maximize surface area, the top paddle has a compliant element bonded to lower surface, together these elements contact the surface that is being clamped.

7. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein the bottom paddle has a geometric feature, like a small hook, that allows a simple means to induce rotary motion in the bottom paddle, allowing a user to easily rotate the bottom paddle.

8. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein the top paddle springs out once the bottom paddle is actuated to a certain angle, allowing the operator to position the top paddle on a horizontal surface and then release the bottom paddle to clamp the surface in question.

9. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein the main body has bores top and bottom for accepting pins used to located and limit the motion of the paddles.

10. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein the main body has geometric features that limit the motion of the top paddle to no more than 90 degrees from the long axis of the main body.

11. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein the main body has geometry that allows the top paddle to nest into the main body.

12. A clamp attachment for a cane comprising;
a means to attach to a cylindrical object, a means to tighten the clamp against the cylindrical object.
a means to limit axial motion once attached to the cylindrical object,

13. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 9, wherein the main body accepts and retains one or more straps that pull the body of the device tight to the cane or other cylindrical object.

14. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 11, wherein the straps are made of hook and loop material or similar self attaching material, the straps are routed in and around accepting features on the device and back around the perimeter of the cylindrical object.

15. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 12, wherein the accepting features are part of the device itself, manufactured into the sides of the device.

16. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 12, wherein the accepting features are springs pins or similar removable dowel type axles.

17. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 9, wherein compliant elements are attached to the rear, cylindrical surface of the device, thereby providing an element that can deform and act like a spring once the strap is tightened, acting to limit axial motion of the device relative to the cylindrical object.

18. A method to temporarily attach a cane to a horizontal surface, comprising;
two paddles that act together to clamp a horizontal surface, two paddles each of which transfers force through the spring elements into the device and through the straps that hold the device onto the cylindrical object, hereby limiting motion of the cylindrical object.
two distinct positions; open and closed, wherein the open position refers to the position when both paddles are swung away from the main body and wherein closed means the top paddle is held in and against the main body by the force of the bottom paddle and both paddles are parallel to the main body.