US20100154850A1

US20100154850A1 - Covertible trek pole

Info

Publication number: US20100154850A1
Application number: US12/341,434
Authority: US
Inventors: Lee Schulz; Mark Koehneke; Carol Pritzlaff Voss; Bob Unkel; David Singer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-12-22
Filing date: 2008-12-22
Publication date: 2010-06-24

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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a trek pole that has two handle positions, a horizontal and a vertical position, such that the trek pole is convertible to a cane.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
It is well understood that the present population distribution includes a disproportionately large number of people in middle age and/or approaching old age. It is also understood that this particular group of people is focused on fitness, health, and the maintenance of a youthful lifestyle in a way that has never been previously documented. As a result, when the disabilities that sometimes come with age occur, this generation is particularly unwilling to accept the appearance of such disabilities, and compliance with medically recommended practices is reduced.
A clear example of this is found in walking aids, such as canes, walkers, and the like. Though many aging people require the use of such devices for safety, use of the devices skews unacceptably “old” to the current generation of aging persons. As a result, patients fail to use the devices regularly, thus preventing healing where use of the device is intended to promote healing, or exposing the patient to greater instability and a possible fall where use of the device is intended to provide balance.
What is needed is a mobility aid that provides the benefits of traditional canes, walkers, and the like, but does not give the appearance of infirmity, and preferably which even gives the appearance of health and fitness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mobility aid is presented which is in the form of a trek pole. 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention in a first, trekking position; and

FIG. 2 shows the device shown in FIG. 1 in a second, cane position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, the mobility aid 10 of the present invention preferably has the appearance and characteristics of a standard trek pole. The trek pole 10 includes a an upwardly extending shaft or body 12, which may be comprised of a series of tubular portions 14 and locking devices 16 for allowing the trek pole 10 to be telescopically adjusted to a user's preferred height or to be retracted for storage or transport. Body 12 includes a tip 18 at its bottom end and a handle 20 at its top end. Handle 20 is connected to body 12 by way of a joint or connection portion 22 which, as will be discussed in connection with the convertibility aspect of the invention, includes a release tab 24. Handle 20 has a finger gripping portion 26 and a palm gripping portion 28.
Body 12 is preferably constructed of lightweight metal or a metal-fiber composite so that the pole 10 is lightweight but strong enough not to flex under pressure. Locking devices 16 may be of the clasp type typically employed on trek poles, camera tripods, and the like, or may be any other type of device that provides a range of height adjustability to the user while still providing a secure lock to prevent accidental retraction of the tubular portions 14 due to the pressure exerted by the user.
Tip 18 may be constructed of hard rubber, metal, plastic, or any other suitable material or combination of materials. In addition, tip 18 may be replaceable by the user due to wear or may be interchangeable with a number of alternate tips constructed of other materials. Tip 18 may thus be selected depending on the traction required for the trekking environment. For example, an outdoor walk on a dirt path might call for a metal tip, while a walk at the mall might call for a hard rubber tip. Along these same lines, tip 18 may be pointed, flat, rounded, angular, or another shape or size as needed, and may include a projection of some sort, such as a flange or series of flanges, a disk attachment, an upside-down cup or basket, or some alternate structure that will prevent tip 18 from sinking into penetrable or shifting terrain, such as sand or grass. Furthermore, it is contemplated that, in addition to providing shock-absorption via use of an appropriate tip 18, a separate shock-absorbing portion (not shown) could be placed proximate tip 18 for additional or primary shock absorption.
Handle 20 is preferably constructed of a rigid inner structure providing support and firm connection to connection portion 22 and an outer structure constructed of a material providing firm but comfortable gripping support to a user's hand. Finger gripping portion 26 is preferably shaped to receive the fingers of the user's hand, while palm portion 28 is preferably shaped to receive the palm of the user's hand. Finger gripping portions 26 and palm portion 28 may be constructed of a material different than the other materials employed in the construction of handle 20. Portions 26 and 28 may be integral with handle 20 or may be constructed by way of attachment of pads or the like to handle 20. Handle 20 may additionally supplied with a wrist strap 30, which may be worn during use of pole 10 to prevent pole 10 from dropping in the event the user accidentally releases handle 20. Strap 30 may also be used for carrying pole 10 when not in use and may be replaced by any other suitable apparatus.
The user may use pole 10 with handle 20 in an upright position or may convert handle 20 to an outwardly extending position as needed. To convert handle 20, the user depresses release tab 24 to unlock handle 20 from its upright locked position. Once unlocked, handle 20 is simply moved downward, preferably so that finger gripping portion 26 faces down, to an approximately 90° angle from vertical body 12 as shown in FIG. 2. Handle 20 locks into both the upright position and the outwardly extending position, preferably with an audible click.
Due to the different manner in which a user grasps a trek pole and a cane, i.e. a flexed arm position versus an almost fully extended arm, the length of body 12 must be shorter when pole 10 is used in its cane configuration. A support tab 32 is therefore provided on body 12 to allow a user to quickly adjust body 12 downward to a predetermined level without having to perform micro-adjustments. Tab 32 is retractable within body 12 when body 12 is to be fully retracted, but provides a stable support for converting to use as a cane.
In another embodiment of the device, a plurality of locking positions located between the fully upright position and the fully extended position are provided to better adapt to individual user needs. These positions may be at select predetermined locations throughout the range of movement of handle 20. Alternately, handle 20 may be designed to lock into any position within the range of movement provided by connection portion 22, providing the highest degree of individual user customization.
It is also contemplated that handle 20 may be removable from body 12 to expose a storage compartment or accessory (not shown) within body 12. A storage compartment could contain any number of relatively small items for ease of access or for emergencies, such as cash, pills, a syringe, matches, or the like. Body 12 could alternately house a specific accessory, either of an electronic nature or other, such as a flashlight, pocket knife, strobe light, or emergency call button. The accessory could be integrated with body 12, or removable from body 12 such that removal of the accessory allows use as a storage compartment.
Furthermore, it is contemplated that the single trek pole described herein could be sold in pairs, in a configuration known as walking sticks or walking poles. Naturally, the poles could be identical, but it may be beneficial to provide one member of the pair with features different from the features present in the second member of the pair, thus expanding the range of possible uses. With a pair of poles, accessories such as a clip or clips to connect the pair together for transport and storage, or a bag for transporting and storing the poles, are likewise contemplated.
The embodiments described herein explain the best known mode of practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention, but should not be considered limiting. Rather, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth herein, but is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways, and all such modifications and variations are within the scope of the claims set forth below. Further, various elements or features discussed or shown herein may be combined in ways other than those specifically mentioned, and all such combinations are likewise within the scope of the invention.

Claims

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.