Magnetic cane mount

Abstract

A system and apparatus for storing canes in an easily accessible location by the user through the use of magnets is described. One magnet is located at the end of the handle. This magnet can also be used to pick up metallic objects, such as keys, without having to bend over all the way to the ground. The second magnet is located at the center of the cane. This magnet can attach the cane to any metallic surface at a level that the user can re-grasp without having to bend over. Furthermore, attachments are included that can be attached to table tops or other furniture that is small, compact, transportable and metallic that can be put in place for attachment thereto by the magnetic cane in those situations where no metallic surface is pre-existing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of canes and specifically to a cane that can be magnetically mounted for storage when not in use.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Canes are required by many individuals in order to get around by foot. Canes are required when walking unassisted is extremely difficult, painful or impossible. However, once the cane user sits down and discontinues temporarily the use of the cane, the cane needs to be easily retrievable for when it is next needed. Oftentimes, the cane must be placed on the ground where it can be difficult for the cane user to retrieve.

Other options include the placement of the cane on a table so it is within easy reach. However, once the cane is placed on a table, there is usually very little room left for little else. This is inconvenient when the table is needed for a meal or other business.

Also, canes have been mounted on hooks or other cane holding devices in the past, where available. But if not cane mounts are present in the location where the cane user is, and typically they are not, the cane user is left with the predicament of having no way to store the cane in an easily accessible location.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a system and apparatus that will allow a cane user the flexibility to store his or her cane, no matter where the user is located and regardless of whether or not a pre-existing hook or other cane holding device has been installed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches a cane comprising a shaft having a bottom portion, a mid portion and a top portion; a handle attached to the top portion of the shaft; a first magnet housed in the handle; and a second magnet housed in the mid portion of the shaft.

The embodiment above can be further modified by defining that there is a gripping portion on said handle.

The embodiment above can be further modified by defining that there is a capping means to cap said first magnet onto said handle.

A second embodiment defines a method for storing a cane when not in use comprising locating a metallic surface; utilizing a cane, the cane further comprising a shaft having a bottom portion a mid portion and a top portion; a handle attached to the top portion of the shaft; a first magnet housed in the handle; and a second magnet housed in the mid portion of the shaft; and placement of the cane against the metallic surface adhering the cane to the metallic surface through one of the first or second magnets housed in the cane.

The embodiment above can be further modified by defining a further step wherein no metallic surface can be located, the method further comprising the step of providing a metallic surface that can be attached to any non-metallic surface through an attachment means.

The embodiment above can be further modified by defining that the attachment means utilizes an adhesive on the back side of the metallic surface.

The embodiment above can be further modified by defining that the attachment means utilizes screws and holes to be drilled through the metallic surface wherein the screws permanently affix the metallic surface to any non-metallic surface.

The embodiment above can be further modified by defining a further step wherein no metallic surface can be located, the method further comprising the step of providing a springed clip with a metallic surface that can be attached to any planar surface, such as a table top, the springed clip further comprising a top planar portion that rests on the top of the planar surface; a vertical portion having a top part and a bottom part, the top part being attached to the top planar portion wherein the vertical portion has an outwardly facing metallic surface; and a bottom portion that is attached to the bottom part of the vertical portion that grips the bottom of the planar surface holding the spring clip in place.

A third embodiment teaches a method for retrieving a metallic object comprising locating the metallic object on the ground; utilizing a cane to magnetically capture the metallic object, the cane further comprising a shaft having a bottom portion a mid portion and a top portion; a handle attached to the top portion of the shaft; a first magnet housed in the handle; and a second magnet housed in the mid portion of the shaft; and raising the cane containing the metallic object to an easily reachable position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is taken along the line A in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the instant invention.

FIG. 4 is taken along the line A in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the invention with the attachment that allows for storage of the cane on a table top without a pre-existing metallic surface.

FIG. 6 is a close-up perspective view of the top of the apparatus of the instant invention as it is attached to a table top as in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the attachment that allows for attachment to a table top.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7, with a narrower table top for attachment thereto.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the invention with the metallic attachment attached to the magnet found in the center portion of the cane.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the invention with the metallic attachment attached to the magnet found in the center portion of the cane.

FIG. 11 is the same as FIG. 10 but with the metallic attachment unattached to the cane.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the invention with the metallic attachment attached to the magnet found in the handle portion of the cane.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the invention with the metallic attachment attached to the magnet found in the handle portion of the cane.

FIG. 14 is the same as FIG. 3, but with the metallic attachment unattached to the cane.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the invention as it is used to retrieve a metal object on the ground using the magnet found in the handle portion of the cane.

FIG. 16 shows the person in FIG. 15 retrieving the metallic object picked up by the cane.

FIG. 17 is a view of the apparatus as it is attached to a pre-existing metallic object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning to the drawings, the preferred embodiment is illustrated and described by reference characters that denote similar elements throughout the several views of the instant invention.

The instant invention is a system that allows for the storage of a cane 10 using a first magnet 11 permanently located in the handle 12 of the cane 10 and a second magnet 13 permanently located in the middle portion 14 of the cane 10.

As can bee seen in FIGS. 1-4, the handle 12 of the cane 10 contains a gripping portion 15 and a tip 16 that houses the magnet 11 that is then capped by a capping means 17.

FIGS. 5-6 show the cane 10 as it attaches to the clamping attachment 18 that attaches to a flat surface such as a table top 19. This option is used when the user finds himself at a place where no pre-existing metallic surface exists. The clamping attachment 18 is simply attached to the surface of the table top 19 and the cane 10 is attached to the clamping attachment 18 because it is metallic. FIGS. 7-8 show how the clamping attachment 18 is adjustable to a variety of thicknesses of table tops. The table top 20 in FIG. 8 is thicker than the table top 21 in FIG. 8, but the clamping attachment 18 fits on either thickness. The attachment 18 has a top portion 22, a metallic surface portion 23 and a bottom clamping portion 24 that hooks under the flat surface table top 20, 21. The clamping attachment 18 is typically a metal clip that can spring open to fit a range of sizes of tables. The clip 18 has a rubberized coating to prevent scratching of the cane 10. The coating also helps the clip 18 keep traction on the table 20, 21 as the cane 10 is attached and removed.

An alternative embodiment is shown if FIGS. 9-14. In this embodiment, a metallic bridge 25 is provided that can attach either to the magnetic portion 13 in the center of the cane 14, as seen in FIGS. 9-11 or to the magnetic portion 11 in the handle 12, as seen in FIGS. 12-14. The metallic bridge 25 serves as a surface on which to place the cane 10 that can then be attached to a non-metallic surface. Typically, these bridges 25 are then adhered to another surface that is non-metallic, either through an adhesive or through the use of screws and holes found in the bridge 25.

Shown in FIGS. 15-16 is the function of the cane 10 that allows the user 26 to retrieve metallic objects, such as keys 27 that have fallen on the ground 28.

The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. This disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the invention and/or claims of the embodiment illustrated. Those skilled in the art will make modifications to the invention for particular applications of the invention.

Claims

1. A cane comprising a shaft having a bottom portion, a mid portion and a top portion; a handle attached to said top portion of said shaft; a first magnet housed in said handle; and a second magnet housed in said mid portion of said shaft.

2. A cane as defined in claim 1 further comprising a gripping portion on said handle.

3. A cane as defined in claim 1 further comprising a capping means to cap said first magnet onto said handle.

4. A method for storing a cane when not in use comprising locating a metallic surface; utilizing a cane, said cane further comprising a shaft having a bottom portion a mid portion and a top portion; a handle attached to said top portion of said shaft; a first magnet housed in said handle; and a second magnet housed in said mid portion of said shaft; and placement of said cane against said metallic surface adhering said cane to said metallic surface through one of said first or second magnets housed in said cane.

5. A method as defined in claim 4 wherein no metallic surface can be located, said method further comprising the step of providing a metallic surface that can be attached to any non-metallic surface through an attachment means.

6. A method as defined in claim 5 wherein said attachment means utilizes an adhesive on the back side of said metallic surface.

7. A method as defined in claim 5 wherein said attachment means utilizes screws and holes to be drilled through said metallic surface wherein said screws permanently affix said metallic surface to any non-metallic surface.

8. A method as defined in claim 4 wherein no metallic surface can be located, said method further comprising the step of providing a springed clip with a metallic surface that can be attached to any planar surface, such as a table top, said springed clip further comprising a top planar portion that rests on the top of said planar surface; a vertical portion having a top part and a bottom part, said top part being attached to said top planar portion wherein said vertical portion has an outwardly facing metallic surface; and a bottom portion that is attached to said bottom part of said vertical portion that grips the bottom of said planar surface holding said spring clip in place.

9. A method for retrieving a metallic object comprising locating said metallic object on the ground; utilizing a cane to magnetically capture said metallic object, said cane further comprising a shaft having a bottom portion a mid portion and a top portion; a handle attached to said top portion of said shaft; a first magnet housed in said handle; and a second magnet housed in said mid portion of said shaft; and raising said cane containing said metallic object to an easily reachable position.