Abstract:
Provided is a walking stick including an elongated shaft having a waste receptacle oriented along its length. The waste receptacle and may house various articles, including new and used fecal matter waste bags. The walking stick may offer walking support to dog walkers and aid in the disposal of fecal matter produced by the dog. In one embodiment, a walking stick is provided, the walking stick including: an elongated shaft having: a first body, the first body terminated by a first end; a second body, the second body terminated by a second end; a handle, the handle mounted on the first end; a foot, the foot mounted on a terminal end at or near the second end; a waste receptacle, the waste receptacle located medially along the elongated shaft and bisecting the first body and the second body.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Adequate exercise for a pet, for example, a dog, is commonly achieved by the dog&#39;s owner taking the dog for a walk. Often times a dog will relieve itself in public areas while on a walk. Many local ordinances and common courtesy require that the dog&#39;s owner retrieves the fecal matter left by the dog. Accordingly, dog owners typically carry along a bag in order to retrieve and dispose of the dog excrements. However, the dog owner must then carry the bag containing the fecal matter in his/her hand or pocket for the remainder of the walk, which is unpleasant. 
         [0002]    Given that exercise is required to maintain a healthy and sometimes non-destructive dog, many people with poor joints, including the elderly and/or disabled, refrain from owning a dog because they are unable to fulfill the exercise needs of the dog. Often times such people enlist the use of a cane to alleviate some of the discomfort or unsteadiness of daily walking 
         [0003]    What is needed is a device to provide a user with an apparatus to aid in the disposal of dog excrements while on a walk. The device may remove the need to directly carry a used bag and may also remove the need to remember to bring along a bag. In addition, the device may provide walking support for a user with walking difficulties and/or to assist users who choose to walk their pets through inclined terrain, as typically found in many hiking trails. A walking stick equipped with one or more storage compartment may accomplish this need. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, a walking stick is provided, the walking stick comprising: an elongated shaft comprising: a first body, the first body terminated by a first end; a second body, the second body terminated by a second end; a handle, the handle mounted on the first end; a foot, the foot mounted on a terminal end at or near the second end; a waste receptacle, the waste receptacle located medially along the elongated shaft and bisecting the first body and the second body. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The accompanying figures, together with the detailed description provided below, describe example embodiments of the claimed invention. In the figures, like elements bear like reference numerals. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a front view of an example embodiment of a walking stick  100  with a waste receptacle in a closed state. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a side view of an example embodiment of walking stick  100  with a waste receptacle in a closed state. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1C  illustrates a front view of an example embodiment of walking stick  100  with a waste receptacle in a partially opened state. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1D  illustrates a side view of an example embodiment of walking stick  100  with a waste receptacle in a closed state. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a side view of an example embodiment of a walking stick  200  with a waste receptacle in a closed state. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of an example embodiment of walking stick  200  with a waste receptacle in a closed state. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]      FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D  illustrate example embodiments of a walking stick  100 . 
         [0013]    Walking stick  100  may include an elongated shaft  102 . Elongated shaft  102  may be comprised of any of a variety of materials, including for example an aluminum, titanium, metal alloy, magnesium, carbon fiber, fiberglass, an aramid polymer, or thermoplastic polyethylene composition, wood, and the like. 
         [0014]    Elongated shaft  102  may be of any length. Elongated shaft  102  may be at least about  80  cm. In one embodiment, elongated shaft  102  may be about 102 cm in length. Elongated shaft  102  may be up to about 115 cm in length. 
         [0015]    Elongated shaft  102  may include a first body  104 . First body  104  may be solid. First body  104  may be hollow. First body  104  may include a first end  106 . First end  106  may be a proximal end. 
         [0016]    Elongated shaft  102  may include a handle  108 . Handle  108  may be mounted to first end  106  of first body  104 . Handle  108  may be substantially parallel to first body  104  and elongated shaft  102 . Handle  108  may be substantially angled with respect to elongated shaft  102 . Handle  108  may be substantially curved relative to first body  104 . The curvature of handle  108  may resemble the curvature of a typical walking cane. 
         [0017]    Handle  108  may include one or more of a proximal end stop  109  and a distal end stop  111 . Proximal end stop  109  and distal end stop  111  may be greater in diameter than handle  108 . 
         [0018]    Handle  108  may include a grip  110 . Grip  110  may include one or more of a plurality of indentations configured to accept one or more fingers. Grip  110  may include a textured material. Grip  110  may include any of a variety of materials, including for example, a rubber, a polymer, a metal, an alloy, a composite, and the like. Grip  110  may include a resilient material. Grip  110  may be configured to be gripped by a user&#39;s hand during use of walking stick  100 . 
         [0019]    Handle  108  may include a securing strap  112 . Securing strap  112  may be selectively unsecured by a release element  114 . Release element  114  may include complementary clasps, snaps, buttons, hook and loop patches, and the like. Release element  114  may include an interlocking clasp, the interlocking clasp may include a female joint  116  and a male joint  118 . One or more of female joint  116  and male joint  118  may include an adjustment element  120 . Adjustment element  120  may be of a belt-like configuration and allow for securing strap  112  to be adjusted in length. Securing strap  112  may be configured to extend about at least a portion of a user&#39;s hand, wrist, arm, or the like during use of walking stick  100 . 
         [0020]    Elongated shaft  102  may include a terminal end  121 . Elongated shaft  102  may include a second body  122 . Second body  122  may be solid. Second body  122  may be hollow. Second body  122  may include a second end  124 . 
         [0021]    Second body  122  may include an end insert  126 . Second end  124  may be configured to slidably accept end insert  126 . End insert  126  may include a foot  128 . End insert  126  may be sized to extend within a portion of the interior of second body  122 . End insert  126  may be sized to extend about a portion of the exterior of second body  122 . 
         [0022]    Alternatively, terminal end  121  may include foot  128  (no end insert; i.e., terminal end  121  may be the same as second end  124  and void of end insert  126 ). Foot  128  may be removable to expose a foot spike (not shown) to aid in traction, pick up trash, defend oneself, and the like. 
         [0023]    Second body  122  may include a plurality of eyelets  130 , as shown in  FIG. 1B . End insert  126  may include one or more compressible protrusions (not shown). Any of eyelets  130  may be configured to accept the one or more compressible protrusions in order to adjust the overall length of elongated shaft  102 . The overall length of elongated shaft  102  may be adjusted from about 80 cm to about 115 cm. Eyelets  130  and the one or more compressible protrusions may be longitudinally spaced from about 1.3 cm to about 2.5 cm apart with respect to each eyelet and each compressible protrusion. 
         [0024]    Alternatively, first body  104  may be configured with a plurality of eyelets to accept an end insert  126  in order to adjust the length of first body  104 , wherein end insert  126  may include handle  108  (not shown). Elongated shaft  102  may otherwise include both a first end insert and a second end insert, each similar to that of end insert  126 . The first end insert may be configured to adjust the length of first body  104  and the second insert may be configured to adjust the length of second body  122 . 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, end insert  126  may be removable from first body  104  or second body  122 , thus allowing a user to selectively exchange end inserts  126  for other end inserts  126 , which may include different handle styles, grip styles, grip angles, feet, spikes, and the like. In this manner, a user may customize walking stick  100  to their preferred configuration, or for alternative tasks. 
         [0026]    Elongated shaft  102  may include a reflective material to aid in visibility and serve as a safety precaution. The reflective material may be a reflective tape  132 . Reflective tape  132  may be oriented around elongated shaft  102 . Reflective tape  132  may be of any pattern or any color, including one or more of: black, red, white, yellow, orange, pink, blue, green, and purple. 
         [0027]    Elongated shaft  102  may include one or more storage compartment. The one or more storage compartments may include a waste receptacle  134 . Waste receptacle  134  may be about 7 cm to about 23 cm in diameter. Waste receptacle  134  may be about 14 cm to about 36 cm tall. Waste receptacle may be about 15 cm in diameter and about 23 cm tall. 
         [0028]    Waste receptacle  134  may bisect first body  104  and second body  122 . First body  104  and second body  122  may be attached to waste receptacle  134  through any of a variety of fastening methods, for example, by welding. 
         [0029]    First body  104  and second body  122  may be reversibly attached to waste receptacle  134 , for example, by mating of complementary helically threaded portions. Waste receptacle  134  may have one or more of a helically threaded inset and helically threaded protrusion (not shown). The one or more helically threaded inset may be configured to accept one or more of a helically threaded distal end of first body  104  and a helically threaded proximal end of second body  122 , wherein the helically threaded distal end is opposite first end  106  and the helically threaded proximal end is opposite second end  124  (not shown). The one or more helically threaded protrusion may be configured to accept one or more of a helically threaded distal end of first body  104  and a helically threaded proximal end of second body  122 , wherein the helically threaded distal end is opposite first end  106  and the helically threaded proximal end is opposite second end  124  (not shown). The helically threaded distal end of first body  106  may mate with the helically threaded proximal end of second body  122  to give a walking stick void the waste receptacle. 
         [0030]    Alternatively, first body  104  and second body  122  may be of one continuous shaft and may pass through waste receptacle  134 , wherein in waste receptacle  134  may rest on a cleft located on second body  122  to prevent waste receptacle  134  from falling (not shown). Waste receptacle  134  may include a hinged door to access the internal storage compartment (not shown). 
         [0031]    Alternatively, waste receptacle  134  may include two pass through holes, one located in a top portion  136  and the other located in a bottom portion  138 , wherein waste receptacle  134  may open longitudinally to accept and encompass the shaft (not shown). 
         [0032]    Waste receptacle  134  may include a top portion  136  and a bottom portion  138 . Waste receptacle  134  may be of any shape, including substantially spherical or substantially oval. Top portion  136  may be about 7 cm to about 23 cm in diameter. Top portion  136  may be about 7 cm to about 13 cm tall. In one embodiment, top portion  136  may be about  15  cm in diameter and about  8  cm tall. Bottom portion  138  may be about 7 cm to about 23 cm in diameter and about 7 cm to about 23 cm tall. In one embodiment, bottom portion  138  may be about 15 cm in diameter and about 15 cm tall. 
         [0033]    Top portion  136  may be separated from bottom portion  138  by a junction  140 . Junction  140  may include at least one gasket to restrict odorous gases from exiting. The at least one gasket may be comprised of a rubber material. A top gasket may line a top enclosure face  140 ′ and a bottom gasket may line a bottom enclosure face  140 ″, as shown in  FIG. 1C . 
         [0034]    Top enclosure face  140 ′ and bottom enclosure face  140 ″ may separate ( 146 ) to reveal one or more storage compartment within waste receptacle  134 . The one or more storage compartment may include a removable waste receptacle insert in order to facilitate cleaning (not shown). The one or more storage compartment may house deodorizing wafers, pellets, or the like. 
         [0035]    Top portion  136  and bottom portion  138  may be selectively held together when desired by one or more of an arresting element, such as a latch closure  142 . Arresting element and/or latch closure  142  may be any of a variety of selectively engagement closure and/or latching elements, including for example, a magnet, a fastener, a hook, hook and loop material, a strap, a cable, a button, a cam action fastener, a clip, a bolt, and the like. 
         [0036]    Latch closure  142  may include a nodule  142 ′, a looping component  142 ″, and a lever  142 ′″ Lever  142 ′″ may include a textured grip material. Alternatively, the arresting element may include a button release, a luer lock, snaps, clasps, hook and loop patches, and the like. 
         [0037]    Waste receptacle  134  may include a hinge  144  located on a face substantially opposite latch closure  142 . Hinge  144  may guide the opening of junction  140  in a parabolic motion, as shown in  FIG. 1C . Hinge  144  may permit top portion  136  to move relative to bottom portion  138  about 90 degrees. Hinge  144  may permit top portion  136  to move relative to bottom portion  138  about 180 degrees. Hinge  144  may permit top portion  136  to move relative to bottom portion  138  between about 90 degrees and about 180 degrees. Hinge  144  may permit top portion  136  to move relative to bottom portion  138  greater than about 45 degrees. Hinge  144  may permit top portion  136  to move relative to bottom portion  138  less than about 200 degrees. 
         [0038]    Waste receptacle  134  may include an internal divider separating top portion  136  from bottom portion  138  (not shown). The internal divider may reside on top portion  136  and span top enclosure face  140 ′, thereby creating a top compartment in top portion  136  and a bottom compartment in bottom portion  138 . Top portion  136  may include an external entry port  148 . External entry port  148  may be configured to accept articles to be stored in the top compartment. Example articles may include bags, towels, wet-wipes, treats, gloves, and the like. The bottom compartment within bottom portion  138  may house the excrement-containing bags. 
         [0039]    In practice, a user may bring walking stick  100  along as they walk her/his dog. The dog may defecate, after which the user may draw a bag from external entry port  148 , place the dog excrement within the bag, and discard the bag inside waste receptacle  134 . Upon encountering a point for depositing the waste bag (e.g., a trash can), the user may open waste receptacle  134  and dump the waste bag therein without having to carry it or otherwise handle it any more than is necessary. 
         [0040]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1D , handle  108  and/or grip  110  may be adjustable in angle. Handle  108  and/or grip  110  may be configured to pivot where handle  108  meets first end  106  of first body  104 . Handle  108  and/or grip  110  may be configured to selectively pivot where handle  108  meets first end  106  of first body  104 , such that a user can set the angle of handle  108  as the user desires for comfort, preferred use, and the like. A locking element (not shown) may be included in handle  108  and/or first body  104 , configured to selectively allow adjustment of the angle of handle  108  relative to first body  104 . 
         [0041]    In one embodiment, handle  108  may be angled in any direction up to about 90 degrees. Handle  108  may be angled in any direction up to about 60 degrees. Handle  108  may be angled in any direction up to about 45 degrees. Handle  108  may be angled in any direction up to about 35 degrees. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  illustrate an example embodiment of a walking stick  200 . Walking stick  200  may include all or some of the previously mentioned features described above for walking stick  100 . All or some of the additional features described for walking stick  200  may readily be incorporated into walking stick  100 . All like elements bear like reference numerals. 
         [0043]    Walking stick  200  may include an elongated shaft  202 . Elongated shaft  202  may include a first body  204 . First body  204  may include a first end  206 . 
         [0044]    First body  204  may include a carabiner  205 . Carabiner  205  may serve as an attachment point for a leash, keys, a water bottle, and the like. 
         [0045]    Elongated shaft  202  may include a handle  208 . Handle  208  may include one or more of a proximal end stop  209  and a distal end stop  211 . 
         [0046]    Handle  208  may include a grip  210 . 
         [0047]    Handle  208  may include a securing strap  212 . 
         [0048]    Handle  208  may include a hanging strap  213 . Both ends of hanging strap  213  may be attached to a proximal end stop  209  of handle  208 . 
         [0049]    Handle  208  may include a marker  215 . Marker  215  may serve to increase the visibility of the walking stick user. Marker  215  may be affixed to handle  208 . Marker  215  may be a flag. Marker  215  may be a reflective unit, such as a mirror. Marker  215  may be a gaseous cylinder. The gaseous cylinder may release contents in the form of a visible smoke. Marker  215  may be detachable. Marker  215  may reside within handle  208  until needed. Marker  215  may protract from handle  208 . Marker  215  may retract into handle  208 . 
         [0050]    Elongated shaft  202  may include a terminal end  221 . Elongated shaft  202  may include a second body  222 . 
         [0051]    Terminal end  221  may include a foot  228 . Foot  228  may be removable to expose a foot spike  229  to aid in traction, pick up trash, defend oneself, and the like. 
         [0052]    Alternatively, second body  222  may include an end insert (not shown). Second body  222  may include a plurality of eyelets (not shown). 
         [0053]    Alternatively, first body  204  may be configured with a plurality of eyelets to accept an end insert in order to adjust the length of first body  204 , wherein the end insert may include handle  208  (not shown). 
         [0054]    Elongated shaft  202  may include a reflective material to aid in visibility and serve as a safety precaution. The reflective material may be a reflective tape  232 . 
         [0055]    Elongated shaft  202  may include one or more storage compartment. The one or more storage compartments may include a waste receptacle  234 . 
         [0056]    Waste receptacle  234  may bisect first body  204  and second body  222 . First body  204  and second body  222  may be attached to waste receptacle  234  through any of a variety of fastening methods, for example, by welding. 
         [0057]    First body  204  and second body  222  may be reversibly attached to waste receptacle  234 , for example, by mating of complementary helically threaded portions. 
         [0058]    Alternatively, first body  204  and second body  222  may be of one continuous shaft and may pass through waste receptacle  234 , wherein in waste receptacle  234  may rest on a cleft located on second body  222  to prevent waste receptacle  234  from falling (not shown). Waste receptacle  234  may include a hinged door to access the internal storage compartment (not shown). 
         [0059]    Alternatively, waste receptacle  234  may include two pass through holes, one located in a top portion  236  and the other located in a bottom portion  238 , wherein waste receptacle  234  may open longitudinally to accept and encompass the shaft (not shown). 
         [0060]    Waste receptacle  234  may include a top portion  236  and a bottom portion  238 . 
         [0061]    Top portion  236  may be separated from bottom portion  238  by a junction  240 . 
         [0062]    A top enclosure face and a bottom enclosure face may separate to reveal one or more storage compartment within waste receptacle  234 . 
         [0063]    Top portion  236  and bottom portion  238  may be selectively held together when desired by one or more of an arresting element, such button release  242 . 
         [0064]    Waste receptacle  234  may include a hinge  244  located on a face substantially opposite button release  242 . 
         [0065]    Waste receptacle  234  may include one or more dispensing spindle  250 . Dispensing spindle  250  may include an elongated tube  251 . Dispensing spindle  250  may be attached to an interior ceiling or to an interior wall within a top portion  236 . Dispensing spindle  250  may be configured to accept a roll of bags  252 . Alternatively, dispensing spindle  250  may be configured to accept a variety of articles, including a roll of wet-wipes, sanitizing wipes, towels, and the like. Dispensing spindle  250  may include a retaining cap  254 . Retaining cap  254  may be larger in diameter than elongated tube  251 , such that roll of bags  252  is retained on elongated tube  251  of dispensing spindle  250 . 
         [0066]    In practice, a user may bring walking stick  200  along as they walk her/his dog. The dog may defecate, after which the user may draw a bag from dispensing spindle  251 , place the dog excrement within the bag, and discard the bag inside waste receptacle  234 . Upon encountering a point for depositing the waste bag (e.g., a trash can), the user may open waste receptacle  234  and dump the waste bag therein without having to carry it or otherwise handle it any more than is necessary. 
         [0067]    To the extent that the term “include” or “including” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the interpretation of the term “comprising” when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When “only A or B but not both” is intended, then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural. As used herein, the term “about” means plus or minus 10% unless otherwise specified. 
         [0068]    As used herein, the anatomical term “proximal” means a point situated nearer the point of attachment to the center of the body when the object in which it defines is in a position of intended use. Similarly, the anatomical term “distal” means a point situated away from the point of attachment to the center of the body when the object in which it defines is in a position of intended use. For example, a distal end of the first body means a point in which is opposite the first end and further from the point in which a user grasps the walking stick. Likewise, and a proximal end of the second body means a point in which is opposite the second end and nearer the point in which a user grasps the walking stick. 
         [0069]    As used herein, the term “helically threaded” means an object with features resembling that of a screw and or nut. The term “helically threaded protrusion” means an object with features resembling that of a screw, and the term “helically threaded inset” means an object with features resembling that of a nut. A “helically threaded inset” accepts or mates with a “helically threaded protrusion.” 
         [0070]    As used herein, the term “mate” means the joining of complementary components. As used herein, the term “tall” is synonymous to the term “length,” wherein “tall” refers to an orientation substantially parallel to the elongated shaft. As used herein, the term “diameter” may be synonymous to the term “width” with respect to an embodiment that is not spherical, oval, or cylindrical. As used herein, the term “void” means an absence of an object. 
         [0071]    To the extent that the term “substantially” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to take into consideration the degree of precision available or prudent in manufacturing. 
         [0072]    While the present application has been illustrated by the description of embodiments, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this application. Therefore, the application, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown. Departures may be made from such details and examples without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.