Patent ID: 8714173
Filing Date: 2014-05-06
Classification: A45B,A61H

Abstract:
1. A walking aid for use on a support surface, comprising: a) an elongated member having an upper end and a lower end, and defining an interior cavity, a longitudinal axis, and a slot in an outer wall thereof along the longitudinal axis, the slot in communication with the interior cavity; b) a stopper coupled to the lower end of the elongated member, the stopper defining a plurality of circumferentially disposed channels in an interior portion thereof, and a rib extending beyond and radially outward of the plurality of circumferentially disposed channels; and c) a support apparatus for supporting the walking aid, the support apparatus translatable through the stopper and the interior cavity to a retracted position completely within the stopper and interior cavity and an extended position projecting from the stopper, the support apparatus biased radially outward relative to the longitudinal axis, and configured to extend away from the longitudinal axis and contact the support surface in the extended position and d) an actuation lever coupled to the support apparatus, extending radially outward through the slot, and longitudinally translatable along the slot, wherein the support apparatus includes three circumferentially disposed support members, and each support member is made from a flexible spring material configured to outwardly spring bias the support member relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the support members are mounted for translation through the plurality of channels and configured to be completely retracted within the stopper and interior cavity with the rib contacting the support surface in the retracted position, and to be extended out of the stopper such that the outward spring bias of the support members causes curvature of the support members and extension of the support members away from the longitudinal axis radially outward beyond the rib in the extended position.