This disclosure relates to devices for securing walking canes to walkers and rollators.
Walking canes, walkers and rollators are well-known aids for assisting mobility of elderly, infirm or injured patients. Walkers and rollators typically provide the user with a great deal of stability and support, especially, e.g., when the user is frail or experiencing problems with balance. Walkers and rollators are relatively large and typically require the user to operate them with one or both hands during ambulation. As a result, the user may find it difficult or clumsy to carry objects while using them. Accordingly, walkers or rollators may be equipped with baskets to assist with carrying objects. Since walkers and rollators are relatively large, users may find it difficult to maneuver them in tight spaces. Walking canes are far lighter, much easier to transport and provide the capable user with more maneuverability than walkers or rollators. However, walking canes are less stable than walkers or rollators and, depending on conditions such as fatigue and/or environment, a user may find better assistance with a walker or rollator. It would be useful to allow the user of a walker or rollator to use the walker or rollator as a way to transport a walking cane to various locations, thereby allowing the user to switch back and forth between using the walker or rollator and the walking cane at those locations.
A walking cane clamp is provided which includes a clip dimensioned and configured to releasably secure the walking cane clamp to a support member, the clip being attached to a cane fastener, the cane fastener including a body portion and a biasing member pivotally attached to the body portion, the body portion defining an opening and a receptacle dimensioned and configured to receive a portion of a cane shaft, the biasing member defining an open position and a closed position of the receptacle, the biasing member being pivotally biased toward the closed position in which a portion of the biasing member covers a portion of the opening sufficient to secure the cane shaft within the receptacle. In embodiments, the biasing member is spring loaded. In embodiments, the biasing member has a first end and a second end, the first end defining a cam surface for abutting the portion of the cane shaft when in the closed position and the second end defining a tail portion which acts as a lever for pushing the biasing member into the open position. In embodiments, the clip is rotatable relative to the cane fastener.
A system for securing a walking cane to a walker or a rollator is provided which includes a walking cane clamp and a base for receiving the walking cane, the walking cane clamp including a clip dimensioned and configured to releasably secure the walking cane clamp to a support member, the clip being attached to a cane fastener, the cane fastener including a body portion and a biasing member pivotally attached to the body portion, the body portion defining an opening and a receptacle dimensioned and configured to receive a portion of a cane shaft, the biasing member defining an open position and a closed position of the receptacle, the biasing member being pivotally biased toward the closed position in which a portion of the biasing member covers a portion of the opening sufficient to secure the cane shaft within the receptacle, the base for receiving the walking cane including a base clip for securing the base for receiving the walking cane to the support member, the base for receiving the walking cane including a receptacle for receiving an end of the walking cane, wherein the walking cane clamp and the base for receiving the walking cane cooperate to secure the walking cane to the support member. In embodiments, the base for receiving the walking cane is dimensioned and configured to receive a cane tip. In embodiments, the base for receiving the walking cane is dimensioned and configured to receive a tripod base of a tripod cane. In embodiments, the base for receiving the walking cane is dimensioned and configured to receive both a cane tip and a tripod base of a tripod cane. In embodiments, the base for receiving the walking cane includes at least one drainage port.
A walker or rollator is provided which includes a pair of side frames, each side frame including a front leg, a rear leg, at least one hand rail, and at least one cross-member joining each side frame, and a walking cane clamp which includes a clip dimensioned and configured to secure the walking cane clamp to the walker or rollator, the clip being attached to a cane fastener, the cane fastener including a body portion and a biasing member pivotally attached to the body portion, the body portion defining an opening and a receptacle dimensioned and configured to receive a portion of a cane shaft, the biasing member defining an open position and a closed position of the receptacle, the biasing member being pivotally biased toward the closed position in which a portion of the biasing member covers a portion of the opening sufficient to secure the cane shaft within the receptacle. In embodiments, the walker or rollator includes a base for receiving the walking cane, the base for receiving the walking cane including a base clip for securing the walking cane base to the walker or rollator, the base for receiving the walking cane including a receptacle for receiving an end of the walking cane, wherein the walking cane clamp and the base for receiving the walking cane cooperate to secure the walking cane to the walker or rollator. In embodiments, the walking cane clamp and the base for receiving the walking cane are both secured to a single front leg or a single rear leg. In embodiments, the walking cane clamp and the base for receiving the walking cane cooperate to orient the walking cane parallel to the single front leg or the single rear leg. In embodiments, the walking cane clamp and the base for receiving the walking cane are both secured to the at least one cross-member. In embodiments, the walking cane clamp and the base for receiving the walking cane cooperate to orient the walking cane parallel to the at least one cross-member. In embodiments, the biasing member is spring loaded. In embodiments, the body further includes a stop which prevents the biasing member from extending fully past the opening. In embodiments, the biasing member has a first end and a second end, the first end defining a cam surface for abutting the portion of the cane shaft when in the closed position and the second end defining a tail portion which acts as a lever for pushing the biasing member into the open position. In embodiments, the base for receiving the walking cane is dimensioned and configured to receive a tripod base of a tripod cane. In embodiments, the base for receiving the walking cane is dimensioned and configured to receive a cane tip. In embodiments, the base for receiving the walking cane is dimensioned and configured to receive both a cane tip and a tripod base of a tripod cane. In embodiments, the base for receiving the walking cane includes at least one drainage port.
Provided herein is a walking cane clamp (the “clamp”) for securing the walking cane to a walker or a rollator. In embodiments, the clamp cooperates with a base for receiving an end of the walking cane. The walking cane clamp allows the user of a walker or rollator to use the walker or rollator as a way to transport a walking cane to various locations, thereby allowing the user to easily switch back and forth between using the walker or rollator and the walking cane at those locations. The clamp is spring loaded and provides a convenient modality for a user to secure a walking cane to the clamp by simply pushing the cane into place. The clamp is amenable to one-handed operation for release of the cane from the clamp when desired.
As depicted in the drawings, a conventional rollator 2 or walker 2′ includes vertically and horizontally disposed tubing assembled into a pair of side frames, each side frame including a rear leg 4, a front leg 5, and a hand rail or grip 8. The two side frames are connected by cross-members 6 to create an open cage-like structure. Variations of such conventional walkers and rollators are also well-known, e.g., rollators that are formed from two triangular side frames that may be configured to incorporate a chair like structure and hand brakes. Conventional walkers and rollators may also incorporate collapsible aspects to allow folding for transport or storage. Telescoping legs may also be utilized in their construction. Indeed, it is contemplated that any style of walker or rollator may be utilized in accordance with the current disclosure. Furthermore, it is contemplated that a cane clamp herein may used in connection with any available tubing or legs associated with, e.g., tables, chairs, lamps, bed rails and the like, where convenient storage of a walking cane is desired.
As can be seen, e g., from
In embodiments, the clamp 30 is mounted above a base 14 for receiving a tripod cane or a single tip cane. See, e.g.,
The base 14, 14′, 14″ may be made of any well-known suitable material such as polymers, metals or composites. Suitable polymers include, e.g., polycarbonates, polystyrenes, polyamides, etc. Suitable metals include, e.g., aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, etc. Composites may include, e.g., fiberglass, carbon fibers, etc. Those skilled in the art are familiar with conventional manufacturing techniques suitable for use in making the base 14, 14′, 14″ such as thermoplastic molding, extrusion and the like.
As can be seen, e.g., from
The cane fastener 33 includes a body portion 34 having an arcuate receptacle 36 and an opening 38. The arcuate receptacle 36 and opening 38 are dimensioned and configured to receive a portion of the shaft of the cane 12, 12′. The arcuate receptacle 36 terminates on one side with a first hook portion 40 and on an opposite side with a second hook portion 41. The cane fastener 33 includes a biasing member 42 pivotally attached to the body portion 34, the biasing member 42 being disposed opposite the first hook portion 40. The biasing member 42 includes an outer surface 43, a tail portion 44 at one end and a cam surface 46 at the other end. The tail portion 44 provides a surface that is easily grasped, pushed or pulled by the user of the clamp 30 to manipulate the biasing member 42. The biasing member 42 is pivotally attached to retaining walls 48 of the body 34 via a pivot rod 50 mounted between the retaining walls 48. The biasing member 42 defines an open position and a closed position of the arcuate receptacle 36. A torsion spring 52 is mounted on the pivot rod 50 causing the biasing member 42 to be pivotally biased toward the closed position in which a portion of the biasing member 42 covers a portion of the opening 38 as shown, e.g., in
The clamp 30 may be made of any well-known suitable material such as polymers, metals or composites. Suitable polymers include, e.g., polycarbonates, polystyrenes, polyamides, etc. Suitable metals include, e.g., aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, etc. Composites may include, e.g., fiberglass, carbon fibers, etc. Those skilled in the art are familiar with conventional manufacturing techniques suitable for use in making the clamp 30 such as thermoplastic molding, extrusion and the like.
In operation, the clamp 30 is mounted to a rollator 2 or walker 2′ and, as shown in
When utilizing the base 14, 14′ or 14″, the clamp 30 is positioned above the base 14, 14′ or 14″ on legs 4 or 5 of the rollator 2 or walker 2′ by a sufficient distance to allow operation of the clamp 30 and mounting of the cane 12 or 12′ to the legs 4, 5. A sufficient distance may be determined on a case by case basis based on the needs or ability of the user. For example, separation by 2 or more inches, 4 or more inches, 6 or more inches, 8 or more inches, 10 or more inches, 12 or more inches, 14 or more inches, 16 or more inches, 18 or more inches, 20 or more inches, 22 or more inches, 24 or more inches, 26 or more inches, 28 or more inches, 30 or more inches, 32 or more inches, 34 or more inches, or 36 or more inches. After the clamp and base are in position, the tripod base 13 of a tripod cane 12 can be placed into the base 14 or 14′ (see, e.g.,
In embodiments, the cane 12 or 12′ is mounted to a cross-member 6 of rollator 2 or walker 2′. See, e.g.,
The above description, disclosure, and figures should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplary of particular embodiments. It is to be understood, therefore, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise embodiments described, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Additionally, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the features illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined with those of another, and that such modifications and variations are also intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments.
This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Design Pat. Application No. 29/565,598, filed on May 23, 2016, and U.S. Design Pat. Application No. 29/565,600, filed on May 23, 2016, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 29565598 | May 2016 | US |
Child | 15240076 | US | |
Parent | 29565600 | May 2016 | US |
Child | 29565598 | US |