Dual handled walking and uprisal assist device

A dual handled walking-assist and uprisal-assist device is disclosed having the handles spaced at a predetermined distance to provide a stable structure for rising from and lowering to a seated position, in addition to serving as a walking aid. The walking- and uprisal-assist device has a structure having a first handle or first pair of handles which are useful whenever a user is in a standing position. A second handle or second pair of handles are spaced a preselected distance from the first handle or handles and at a preselected distance from the bottom of the device. An infirmed user can use the second handle or handles as a grip to push against when the user is rising from a chair. The second handle or handles are connected to one or more load-bearing shafts and the geometrical centers of the handles are positioned relative to the load-bearing shafts to provide a stable structure when used for uprisal and walking. The load-bearing shaft or shafts of the device may be configured with height adjustment means to selectively determine the overall height of the device. The walking- and uprisal-assist device of the present invention may be manifest in either a cane or a walker.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The instant invention relates to walking assist devices having auxiliary 
handles to assist a seated person in rising to a standing position. 
2. State of the Art 
Various types of devices have been employed to assist people who are 
recovering from various types of injuries and surgery, or who are 
experiencing weakness or instability from conditions associated with 
advanced age or other causes, in moving from a seated position to a 
standing position. Complicated and expensive devices such as tilting 
chairs and the like have been developed for such purposes. Also, various 
types of four legged walkers and devices designed to be supported by a 
chair or bed have been used for this purpose. 
Although the problem has existed from time immemorial, it still receives 
considerable attention from the medical community and numerous articles 
have been recently written. Exemplary articles of this type include the 
following: 
"Rising from a Chair: Effects of Age and Functional Ability on Performance 
Biomechanics," Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, v. 46, n. 3 
(1991), M91-98 by Alexander, Schultz and Warwick. 
"Walking Stick Used by the Elderly," British Medical Journal, v. 284, p. 
1751, 12 Jun. 1992, Sainsbury & Meiliey. 
"Everyday Aids & Appliances--Walking Sticks," British Medical Journal, v. 
296, 13 Feb. 1988, Mulley. 
"The Influence of Chair Height on Lower Limb Mechanics During Rising," 
Journal of Orthopaedic Research (1989), 7:266-271. 
"Design and Use of Improved Walking Aids," J. Biomed Eng., v. 7, Oct. 1985, 
Nava and Laura. 
These articles discuss several matters including the desirability of arm 
rests on chairs in assisting uprisal in preference to greater chair 
height, the desirability of correctly sizing the height of a walking stick 
and the necessity of walking sticks for a significant portion of the 
population over age 75. Also, a retractable crutch which can have its 
shoulder support lowered to assist a person during seating from a standing 
position is discussed. This crutch, discussed in the last cited article, 
has a spring which compresses to provide a "stored" force to raise the 
shoulder piece to a fully extended height upon spring release prior to 
uprisal. 
Developers in the field have given attention to the problem and various 
cane or cane-like devices are disclosed in a number of patent or 
patent-related documents. British patent application No. GB2136290A of 
Walker, U.S. Pat. No. 3,289,685 of Parker, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,850 to 
Early et al. disclose devices with a plurality of handles and a cane-like 
structure. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 1,400,394 to Warry discloses a telescoping 
crutch-like device with a single shaft wherein an auxiliary handle may be 
gripped when the crutch is fully extended so that its top support fits 
under the arm of an individual. 
The device of Walker has four handles at the top of the device wherein the 
lower handles may be gripped by a person seated for the purpose of pulling 
on the handles with the device in a frontal position to attempt to pull 
oneself into a standing condition. The upper and lower handles of the 
Walker device are located close to one another and the device is such that 
it has two pair of handles located at two different levels of the cane. 
The device of Parker has two handles, but the handles are not located with 
their geometric centers above the shaft member. The principal use of the 
two handles of the Parker cane is for stability when a user is traversing 
uneven terrain, although the patent mentions its use for uprisal purposes. 
The upper and lower handles of Parker are relatively close together, e.g., 
about six inches. Thus, as one attempts to use these canes, the pressure 
of the handles will cause some rotational force upon the wrist of the user 
when trying to rise from a seated position and since many users have 
arthritic conditions, torque on the wrist is generally to be avoided. 
Furthermore, the handles of the Parker device are sufficiently close 
together that one using such a cane, especially alongside a chair, would 
experience an uncomfortable position for the wrist, hand, and forearm 
because of the limited space available between the handles. Again, as with 
the Walker device, the more comfortable and biomechanically advantageous 
position in which to use a cane for uprisal purposes is alongside a chair 
and close to one's center of gravity when seated. The close proximity of 
the two handles of Parker does not really permit this type of convenient 
use of the device so one can push down upon a lower handle rather than 
trying to pull oneself into an erect position. 
The device of Early has a collar close to the handle of the cane wherein 
the collar provides a small surface for a person to try to pull on in 
order to pull oneself into a standing position. The collar is too close to 
the handle to be used in a pushing-down motion and again it appears that 
this is a cane structured toward use in front of a seated user. 
Another patent disclosing a supplementary handle is U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,605 
to Schmerl which has a rather long stabilizing bar which is pivoted in 
close proximity to the cane handle wherein the bar may be rotated to a 
substantially perpendicular position with respect to the cane shaft 
wherein a second hand may be comfortably placed along the stabilizing bar 
when a user of the cane has his or her other hand on the cane handle and 
is apparently in a standing position. This bar is also located close to 
the main cane handle so that it would not be useful in assisting a person 
rising from a chair unless that user were trying to pull on the 
stabilizing bar. 
Other structures, such as that illustrated in U.S. Pat. 4,941,495 of Boyce 
et al. have also been developed to provide uprisal aid. This device has a 
pair of "arm rests," which are laterally spaced a sufficient distance to 
encompass the hips of a user. These "arm rests" provide hand support for a 
person rising from a seated to a standing position. 
In addition to the development of canes as walking assist devices and 
uprisal assist devices, other walking assist devices have been developed 
with multiple leg members to provide stabilized support for the user 
during walking. Such devices include walkers which typically have four 
spaced apart legs, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,442,276 to Edwards, et 
al. The user advances the walker ahead of himself or herself the distance 
of an arm length, and then leans upon the walker as he or she walks 
forward toward the walker. Walker devices have been disclosed in the 
patent literature which not only attempt to provide a stable 
walking-assist means, but to provide some assistance in uprisal from a 
sitting position. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,202 to Blechner discloses a walker having two spaced 
apart foot rests upon which the user places his or her feet while grasping 
a forward bar to pull himself or herself up to a standing position. The 
Blechner device has the disadvantage of being unstable as well as 
difficult and awkward to use. The Blechner device is also unsafe as the 
user pulls on the front of the device to rise. Noting that disadvantage, 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,666 to Kippes discloses an uprisal device having 
extended horizontal rods at ground level to counterbalance the user's 
forceful pull on a front bar of the device. The Kippes device, however, 
also discloses the need for having a second person, in a standing 
position, to serve as an anchor on the front part of the device to aid the 
user in uprisal. Further, the Kippes structure serves only as an uprisal 
device, not as a walking-assist device. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,599 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,174, both to Cunningham, 
disclose walker devices which have attached, articulating brace members 
which swing outwardly from the walker frame to be positionable over a 
chair or other seating structure. The extended braces are intended to be 
grasped by the user to assist in rising from a seated position, but such 
devices are inherently unstable since the vertical line of downward force 
applied by the user when rising from a seated positioned causes the walker 
to rotate or collapse backwards on the user because the braces are 
positioned behind the walker (i.e., in the direction of the user). Such 
devices are not only unstable for uprisal, but are unstable for assisting 
the user in sitting because of the configuration of the device. The 
Cunningham devices also require a stable surface upon which to place the 
braces during uprisal which may not always be available (e.g., when seated 
on a sofa or soft lounge chair). Therefore, such devices cannot be 
classified as self-contained uprisal-assist devices. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,496 to Berning discloses a walking assist device having 
two legs and two sets of spaced apart grips to assist the user in rising 
from a seated position or in climbing stairs. The two vertically spaced 
grips of the Berning device are spaced so closely together, however, that 
the device cannot be used effectively as an uprisal-assist device. In 
addition, the Berning device is inherently unstable because of its 
substantially elongated vertical profile. 
The walking assist devices previously described provide varying proficiency 
in assisting a person wishing to rise from a seated position, but each has 
certain disadvantages relating principally to the instability of the 
device. For example, none of the walker devices previously described are 
designed to also assist a user in sitting down (that is, without the aid 
of another person anchoring the front of the device to counterbalance the 
user's force). By their designs, the support handles intended for 
assisting the user in uprisal are positioned behind the walker, and a 
downward force of the user on the support handles thereby causes the 
walker to rotate onto the user. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide 
a combined walking-assist and uprisal-assist device which is inherently 
stable and configured to assist a user in both rising from a seated 
position and lowering himself or herself to a seated position. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, a walking- and uprisal-assist 
structure is provided which is both ergonomically and biomechanically 
structured to provide a user with one or more pairs of vertically-spaced 
supportive handles, the upper handle being positioned to support a user 
when in a standing position and the lower handle being positioned 
sufficiently low so that a user can place the walking- and uprisal assist 
device along side himself or herself while in a seated position and push 
down on the lower handle or handles to assist in rising to a standing 
position. The lower handle is spaced a sufficient distance from the upper 
handle to avoid blocking the lower portion of the user's forearm when the 
user is gripping the lower handle in uprisal and to prevent the upper 
handle from obstructing the user's upper arm or body while rising from, or 
lowering to, a seated position. The lower handle is located such that its 
geometric center is positioned relative to a load-bearing axis formed 
through a ground-engaging point of the device to assure stability of the 
walking- and uprisal-assist device as the user applies force to the lower 
handle or lower handles when rising from or lowering to a seated position. 
The present invention disclosed herein may be in the form of either a cane 
having a single load-bearing shaft or a walker having three or more 
stabilizing and load-bearing legs. 
The cane embodiment of the instant invention is preferably a single 
continuous structural member which forms an upper handle and a lower 
handle with a curved web connecting the two handles, and which connects 
the lower handle by a gooseneck curve to the load-bearing shaft of the 
cane. The load-bearing shaft may terminate at its bottom or distal end 
with a ground-engaging tip or surface. The shaft may be hollow to receive 
a telescoping cane extension member which may be adjusted to provide a 
cane having a selectable length dimension. 
One particular embodiment of the cane of the instant invention is one in 
which an upper handle is substantially parallel to a lower handle and is 
connected by a web member which is preferably cylindrical or tubular in 
cross section and which is integral with the handles. The lower handle is 
connected to the main load-bearing shaft by a gooseneck curve with the 
whole structure being an integral one-piece structure. The presence of 
these multiple curved portions provides certain shock absorbing 
characteristics to the cane. The cane is unique in having multiple curved 
sections which, in certain configurations, are pleasingly attractive. 
Also, shock absorbing characteristics are provided by many of these unique 
canes, which is quite desirable for persons having arthritic wrists, 
elbows, and shoulders. 
The height of an average chair seat is about 16 to 17 inches from the 
floor. The cane of the instant invention is designed and structured 
preferably to have a lower handle which is substantially geometrically 
centered over the load-bearing shaft and which is located on the cane at a 
height above the ground-engaging tip of the cane which is generally only 
slightly higher than the height of an average chair seat from the floor. 
Thus, the distance between the second handle and the ground-engaging tip 
of the cane is generally from about 16 to 25 inches, depending on the 
height of the user of the cane, and is preferably about 17 inches to about 
24 inches. A telescoping extension member positioned near the tip of the 
cane can generally provide about 6 to 8 inches of adjustment in height so 
that a single cane may provide a selection of distances between the second 
handle and the ground-engaging tip of the cane to accommodate a wide 
variety of heights among individuals. 
The first handle, or top handle, is preferably at least about nine inches 
above the lower handle and is generally from about 10 inches to about 16 
inches above the lower handle. A minimum distance of about 9 inches 
between the top handle and the lower handle is desirable so that when a 
user is in a seated position and is grasping the lower handle for uprisal 
purposes, the upper handle does not block the forearm and cause the user 
to have a bent wrist when trying to push himself or herself up from a 
seated position. 
Generally it is preferred that the cane of the present invention be 
structured as a unitary and continuous structure, having curvilinear 
portions associated with the handles, such that the geometric centers of 
both handles are substantially positioned relative to the load bearing 
shaft of the cane to provide an advantageous degree of stability and shock 
absorbency to the cane when weight is applied by the user. Alternative 
structures, however, are quite useful. For example, the cane may be made 
wherein the top handle and the main cane body are one structural element 
wherein there is a compound curve joining a relatively long straight upper 
portion and a straight load-bearing shaft (lower portion) and an 
adjustable handle attached to the straight upper portion so that varying 
distances can be attained between the top handle and the lower handle on 
the same cane. 
In such a structure, it is useful, of course, to employ a telescoping shaft 
extension member or other adjustment means so that the overall height of 
the cane can be adjusted to fit varying heights of individuals to ensure 
that the top handle is at a comfortable location when a user of the cane 
is in a standing position. In such a structure, it is again preferred that 
the handles be positioned so that each is geometrically centered in 
alignment with the load-bearing shaft of the cane, or in substantial 
alignment with the ground-bearing tip. 
The walking- and uprisal-assist device of the present invention may also be 
embodied as a walker having at least three, and preferably four, 
stabilizing and load-bearing legs which assist in ambulatory movement of 
the user. The walker device of the present invention is generally 
structured with a frame having opposing side portions, each side portion 
having a first or upper handle vertically spaced from a second or lower 
handle. The second or lower handle of each side portion is positioned at a 
height relative to a ground-engaging surface or tip to be conveniently 
grasped by a user when in a seated position. A downward force by the user 
on the lower handle of each side portion assists in raising the person to 
a standing position, at which time the user may reposition his or her 
hands on the first or top handle of each side portion. The lower handles 
are also conveniently and comfortably positioned to assist the user in 
lowering himself or herself to a seated position while maintaining 
stability in the walker device. 
The first handle and second handle of each side portion are spaced apart in 
vertical orientation to allow grasping of the second or lower handle 
without impedance by the first or top handle. Thus, the wrist of the user 
is not adversely positioned, strained or twisted during the action of 
rising from a seated position or lowering to a seated position. Further, 
the geometrical center of the second handle of each side portion is 
positioned in front of the longitudinal axis formed through the 
ground-engaging surface associated with the rear, load-bearing leg to 
which each second handle is respectively attached. By its construction, 
downward force applied by the user on each second handle causes the 
applied weight to be stably distributed to the three or more load-bearing 
legs, thereby stabilizing the whole walker as the user rises from or 
lowers to a seated position. By contrast, prior art walkers which position 
a handle to the rear or behind the rear legs create an unstablizing moment 
when downward force is applied to the handles and the walker tends to 
rotate or collapse upon the user. In the walker of the present invention, 
the geometric center of the second handle of each side portion may be 
positioned anywhere from just in front of the longitudinal axis formed 
through the rear ground-engaging surface to about the center vertical axis 
formed through each side portion. 
The walker may also be configured with height adjustment means in the legs 
to selectively adjust the height of the walker to accommodate persons of 
varying height. Selective adjustment in the legs also provides adjustment 
of the distance between the second handle of each side portion relative to 
the ground-engaging surface of the rear leg associated with each second 
handle, respectively. Adjustment means may also be provided between the 
first handle and the second handle of each side portion to selectively 
adjust the distance between the first and second handle, again to 
accommodate the variation in height among various users. The walker of the 
present invention may also be configured with means for collapsing the 
walker to a profile which makes it easier to store or carry when not in 
use. In addition, the walker may be constructed with a movable seat member 
which may be brought into engagement with the legs of the walker to 
provide a seat upon which the user may rest. The seat may then be 
disengaged from the legs to permit the walker to be folded into a 
two-dimensional profile. The seat, when engaged with the legs, is 
positioned slightly below the level of the second handle of each side 
portion to permit the user to conveniently grasp the second handles for 
uprisal from the seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
The instant invention provides a walking- and uprisal-assist structure 
which has a number of advantages. Generally, it is light weight and has at 
least one pair of handles which are vertically spaced a predetermined 
distance apart. The handles have geometrical centers which are positioned 
relative to a longitudinal axis associated with a load-bearing shaft of 
the walking- and uprisal-assist device so that the walking- and 
uprisal-assist device is stably supportive when used to rise from or lower 
to a seated position. The upper and lower handles of each pair are spaced 
sufficiently far apart so that the hand, wrist and forearm are generally 
in a comfortable position between the handles while one hand grips the 
lower handle for uprisal purposes. The device is also configured so that 
the position of the upper handle does not interfere with use of the lower 
handle. The lower handle is at a predetermined distance from the ground 
engaging surface or tip of the walking- and uprisal-assist device so that 
when in a vertical position, the lower handle is comfortably located for a 
seated user to grasp and to push down on so that the user can raise 
himself or herself from a seated position, or to lower himself or herself 
to a seated position. 
A preferred embodiment of the instant invention formed as a cane is 
illustrated in FIG. 1. The cane 20 is composed of a continuous member 22 
having a first handle 24 positioned at the top 26 of the cane 20. The 
first handle 24 may have a soft covering 28 which makes gripping the first 
handle 24 more comfortable. A web member 30 interconnects the first handle 
24 to a second handle 32, which may also have a soft, durable covering 34 
making the second handle 32 more comfortable to grasp. The web member 30 
is joined to the first handle 24 by curved portion 40 and to the second 
handle 32 by curved portion 42. A gooseneck curved portion 44 connects 
second handle 32 to a load-bearing shaft 50 and geometrically positions 
both the first handle 24 and the second handle 32 relative to the 
load-bearing shaft 50 to appropriately distribute weight imposed upon the 
cane 20 by the user. An adjustable shaft extension 54 slidingly telescopes 
within a tubular section 56 of the load-bearing shaft 50. At the bottom 60 
of the cane 20 is located a ground-engaging surface 62 or tip which may 
preferably be a rubber friction tip. 
As illustrated in FIG. 1, first handle 24 and second handle 32 are located 
directly above, and in line with, the load-bearing shaft 50 so that when 
the cane is in a substantially vertical position, the force of a user's 
hand on either the first handle 24 or the second handle 32 is directly 
translated into the load-bearing shaft 50 through the adjustable shaft 
extension 54 and to the ground-engaging surface 62. Preferably, the 
geometric center 64 of the first handle 24 and the geometric center 66 of 
the second handle 32 are directly positioned over the longitudinal axis 70 
of the load-bearing shaft 50 which is also formed through the 
ground-engaging surface 62. 
Although for functional purposes the shape of the cane 20 illustrated in 
FIG. 1 could be altered to provide, for example, a multiplicity of curved 
joints, curved sections 40, 42, and 44 principally provide a degree of 
shock absorbing character to the cane 20. The radius of curvature of the 
curved portions 40, 42 and 44 is generally from about one to four inches, 
and preferably from about two to three inches. First handle 24 and second 
handle 32 could, of course, be directly butted against web member 30 in a 
perpendicular fashion and welded to web member 30 so that curved sections 
40 and 42 are eliminated. Some resiliency and aesthetics may be lost by 
such a structure, but certain other advantages may accrue. For example, if 
web member 30 is made into two sections wherein one section telescopes 
into the other (see FIG. 4), then having a long straight web member 30 
without any curved ends could be advantageous. Also, gooseneck curved 
portion 44 could be a tight U-turn with a substantially 90.degree. curve 
connecting the gooseneck curve portion 44 to load-bearing shaft 50. 
In the cane 20 of the instant invention, it is generally desired to have a 
distance 72 of about nine inches minimum between first handle 24 and 
second handle 32. A preferred distance 72 is about 10 inches to a maximum 
of about 16 inches. For general use, three sized models may be made which 
will satisfy the needs of people of widely varying heights. A smaller 
model having a distance 72 of ten inches, plus or minus one inch; a middle 
model having a distance 72 of thirteen inches, plus or minus one inch; and 
a model for taller people having a distance 72 of sixteen inches, plus or 
minus one inch. 
The distance 76 from the second handle 32 to the bottom 60 of the 
ground-engaging surface 62 may generally be from about 17 to 25 inches, 
and preferably from about 19 to about 24 inches, with an optimum distance 
of 22 inch height 78 for the cane 20 may generally be from about 29 to 
about 42 inches. If the distance 72 between the first handle 24 and the 
second handle 32 is about 16 inches, then the distance 76 from the second 
handle 32 to the bottom 60 of the cane 20 would be generally about 
twenty-four inches to achieve an overall height 78 of about forty inches. 
Such a cane would generally be intended for a person over six feet tall 
and would accommodate people of over six feet six inches in height. 
In models having a distance 72 between the first handle 24 and the second 
handle 32 of about ten inches, a preferred distance 76 between the second 
handle 32 and the bottom 60 of the cane 20 would be about nineteen inches 
to achieve an overall height 78 of about twenty-nine inches. Such a cane 
20 would accommodate people of a height of about five feet. A model having 
a distance 72 between the first handle 24 and the second handle 32 of 
about thirteen inches generally has a distance 76 between the second 
handle 34 and the bottom 60 of the cane 20 of about twenty-two inches. 
That height would accommodate people of a height in the mid-five feet to 
six feet range. 
Generally, the cane 20 of the present invention is made with a telescoping 
load-bearing shaft 50 of a type which is currently in use with aluminum 
canes to provide selected height adjustment of up to several inches. Thus, 
the overall height 78 of any cane 20 may range between about twenty-nine 
inches and about forty inches within three cane models. By having a sharp 
U-bend instead of gooseneck curve portion 44, a longer load-bearing shaft 
50 may be achievable so that adjustable shaft extension 54 may have a 
longer run of travel within tubular section 56 which could result in more 
adjustability of overall height 78 and adjustability of distance 76 
between the second handle 32 and the bottom 60 of the ground-engaging 
surface 62. 
The shaft diameter of the cane 20 of the instant invention is generally 
from about three-fourths to about one inch plus or minus one-quarter inch. 
Aluminum tubular canes generally have an outer diameter of about 
seven-eighths inch. The cane 20 may be made out of wood, tubular aluminum, 
tubular steel or a solid, composite material such as a fiberglass 
reinforced resin or carbon fiber composite. Tubular aluminum material is 
generally preferred because of its availability, its formability, its 
strength and its lightness of weight. A carbon fiber composite cane 20 
would be very strong and light-weight and could be readily formed. 
Generally, a carbon fiber composite cane 20 would be much stronger than 
aluminum and would have great flexural strength. For example, if the cane 
20 were sat upon and bent, the cane 20 would return to its original 
position, while a tubular aluminum cane 20 under similar circumstances 
might be bent to a point that the aluminum would be creased and the bend 
would be permanent unless the cane 20 were re-straightened. The shock 
absorbing characteristics of the cane 20 are maintained regardless of 
materials of construction provided that the curved sections are engineered 
to have some flexural characteristics. 
Other configurations may be adopted in the cane 20 of the present 
invention. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the first handle 24 and the 
second handle 32 may be inclined at an angle of greater than 90.degree. 
with respect to a longitudinal axis 80 formed through the web member 30. 
The angle alpha respecting first handle 24 may be from about 90.degree. to 
about 135.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis 80. The angle beta 
respecting the second handle 32 may also be from about 90.degree. to about 
135.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis 80. Notably, the first 
handle 24 and second handle 32, though inclined relative to the web member 
30 or load-bearing shaft 50, are still positioned so that the center of 
gravity 82 of the first handle 24 and the center of gravity 84 of the 
second handle 32 are substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis 70 
formed through the load-bearing shaft 50. 
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2, the first handle 
24 and second handle 32 may be declined as well as inclined, or one handle 
may be declined while the other is inclined. For the purposes of this 
application, it is considered that the first handle 24 and second handle 
32 are illustrated as being inclined because, for example, the free end 90 
of the first handle 24 is higher than its other end 92. First handle 24 
could be declined so that the free end 90 is lower than the other end 92 
of the first handle 24. The second handle 32 may remain inclined as shown 
in FIG. 2 or may be declined similar to first handle 24. The first handle 
24 and second handle 32 may be declined in parallel orientation to each 
other, or may not be parallel. The cane 20 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be 
used with the heel of the hand positioned near the free end 90 of first 
handle 24 or with the heel of the hand at the other end 92 of the first 
handle 24. The same may be true with respect to the second handle 32 and 
the relative positioning of the heel of the user's hand with respect 
thereto. 
An alternative embodiment of the cane 20 of the present invention is 
illustrated in FIG. 3 where the web member 30 is formed at an angle to the 
longitudinal axis 70 formed through the load-bearing shaft 50 to form a 
Z-shaped configuration between the first handle 24 and the second handle 
32 in the upper portion of the cane 20. First handle 24 and second handle 
32, which are shown as having a substantially horizontal aspect when the 
cane 20 is in a vertical position, are interconnected by the web member 
30. Because web member 30 has curved sections 40, 42 which are curved at 
an angle less than 90.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis 80 formed 
through the web 30, the cane 20 illustrated in FIG. 3 may have greater 
shock absorbing characteristics than the cane embodiments illustrated in 
FIGS. 1 and 2. 
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the web member 30 may be configured with a first 
telescoping member 93 which is sized to be slidingly received in a second 
telescoping member 94. The first handle 24 is formed to the first 
telescoping member 93 and the second handle 32 is formed to the second 
telescoping member 94. Thus, first handle 24 may be adjusted upwardly or 
downwardly with respect to the second handle 32 to give greater comfort 
and to accommodate users of varying height. Notably, the embodiment of 
FIG. 4 effectively eliminates the need for manufacturing different model 
sizes to accommodate varying heights. The distance 72 between the first 
handle 24 and the second handle 32 may be adjusted from a minimum of about 
ten inches to a maximum of about sixteen inches. The first telescoping 
member 93 and second telescoping member 94 may be interlocked and 
adjustable by such means as a detent 95 mechanism or other suitable means. 
The first telescoping member 93 may be made so that it rotates with respect 
to the second telescoping member 94 so that the first handle 24 can be 
rotated horizontally when the cane 20 is in an upright position to move 
the first handle 24 to a comfortable position. As illustrated in FIG. 5, 
the second handle 32 and load-bearing shaft may be aligned in a single 
vertical plane, and by horizontal rotation of the first handle 24 relative 
to the second handle 32, the first handle 24 can be positioned in another 
vertical plane oriented at an angle .theta. to the vertical plane of the 
second handle 32. 
In yet another embodiment of the cane 20 of the present invention, shown in 
FIG. 6, the cane 20 may be structured with a third handle 96 which is 
slidably positioned on the web member 30 so that it can be adjusted 
upwardly and downwardly along the web member 30. The third handle 96 may 
be slidably positionable a distance 97 defined between the second handle 
32 and a stop 98 which prevents the third handle 96 being brought into so 
close a proximity to the first handle 24 that the user's arm is impeded 
when using the third handle 96 to rise from a seated position. Thus, the 
third handle 96 may be adjusted from a position adjacent the second handle 
32 to a distance 97 of about six inches. The third handle 96 may be 
secured in place at a selected distance 97 from the second handle 32 by 
such means as a detent 99 or other suitable means. 
It is to be understood that all of the unique cane embodiments described 
herein may be fitted with a tripod or quadrapod foot to create more 
stability for persons desiring such additional stability. The cane of the 
present invention is structured to provide some degree of shock absorbing 
characteristics to the cane, which is very desirable for people with 
arthritic wrists, elbows or shoulders. 
The present invention may be manifest not only in a cane, but in the form 
of a walker 100, as illustrated in FIGS. 7-16. The walker 100 illustrated 
in FIG. 7 generally comprises a frame 102 structure having a 
three-dimensional profile for providing stabilizing support means to an 
ambulatory person. Thus, the frame 102 can be considered to have a first 
side portion 104 oriented to the right of a user, a second side portion 
106 oriented to the left of a user and a forward portion 108 positioned in 
front of the user. The first side portion 104 is generally oriented in a 
plane parallel to the second side portion 106 and is spaced apart from the 
second side portion 106 a distance sufficient to permit the user to stand 
between the first side portion 104 and the second side portion 106. A 
spacing bar 109 may extend between the first side portion 104 and the 
second side portion 106 to maintain the spacing therebetween. 
The frame 102 includes at least three stably positioned and spaced-apart 
legs, and preferably four legs 110, 112, 114, 116 as shown. The two legs 
112, 116 of the first side portion 104 may be spaced apart and maintained 
in such spaced arrangement by a first side spacer bar 118, and the two 
legs 110, 114 of the second side portion 106 may be spaced apart and 
maintained in such spaced arrangement by a second side spacer bar 119. For 
the purposes of orientation, leg 116 of the first side portion 104 and leg 
114 of the second side portion 106 may also be referred to herein as "the 
rear leg" of a given side portion. Accordingly, when reference is made to 
an element being "in front" of a rear leg, it is meant that the element is 
located in the direction of the forward portion 108 of the frame 102. When 
reference is made herein to "behind" or "to the rear of" the rear legs, it 
is meant that the element of reference point is oriented away from the 
rear legs 114, 116 in a direction opposite that of the forward portion 
108. 
A first handle 120 formed at the top 124 of the first side portion 104 and 
a first handle 122 formed at the top 124 of the second side portion 106 
provide places where the user may grasp the walker 100 while in a standing 
and/or an ambulatory position. The first handles 120, 122 are spaced from 
the floor, or other support surface upon which the frame 102 is supported, 
a distance 128 sufficient to accommodate the height of various users. 
Since height differs among individuals, the legs 110, 112, 114, 116 of the 
walker 100 may be constructed with extendable shaft members 130, 132, 134, 
136 which permit the height of the legs 110, 112, 114, 116 to be increased 
or decreased to suit the individual user (see also FIG. 10). The legs 110, 
112, 114, 116 may preferably be fitted with ground-engaging tips 140, 142, 
144, 146, such as rubber friction tips, at the lower extremity thereof to 
provide a degree of cushion to the frame 102 as downward force is applied 
by the user, and to prevent skidding of the legs 110, 112, 114, 116 on a 
slick surface. Although not shown, the walker 100 may be configured with 
rollers or wheels rather than ground-engaging tips 140, 142, 144, 146. 
A second handle 150 is interconnected to the first handle 120 of the first 
side portion 104 by a web member 156, and a second handle 152 is 
interconnected to the first handle 122 of the second side portion 106 by a 
web member 158. The first handle 120 and second handle 150 of the first 
side portion 104 constitute a "pair of handles", and the first handle 122 
and second handle 152 of the second side portion 106 constitute another 
"pair of handles." The second handles 150, 152 of each pair of handles are 
oriented below and vertically spaced apart from the first handles 120, 122 
of each pair of handles. The distance 160 between the second handles 150, 
152 and the floor, or a support surface, is sufficient to permit a user to 
grasp the second handles 150, 152 while in a sitting position and to push 
downwardly to gain leverage in rising to a standing position. The distance 
160 between the second handles 150, 152 and the floor or support surface 
may vary, but generally a distance 160 of between sixteen inches and 
twenty-five inches positions the second handles 150, 152 at an appropriate 
height for rising from a seated position in any size or shape chair. Both 
the first handles 120, 122 and the second handles 150, 152 may include 
soft, pliant grips 164, 166, 168, 170 to facilitate a secure and 
comfortable grasping of the first handles 120, 122 and second handles 150, 
152. 
The web members 156, 158 extending between the first handles 120, 122 and 
the second handles 150, 152 are connected to the first handles 120, 122 by 
upper curved portions 172, 174, respectively, and are connected to the 
second handles 150, 152 by lower curved portions 176, 178, respectively. 
The second handles 150, 152 are further connected to legs 116, 114, 
respectively by side curved portions 180, 182, respectively. The unitary 
and continuous curvilinear configuration of the frame 102, from the first 
handles 120, 122 to the legs 116, 114, provides a very small degree of 
cushion to the walker 100 as the user pushes downwardly on the first 
handles 120, 122 or on the second handles 150, 154. The walker 100 is 
constructed to be substantially rigid and very stable to withstand the 
weight of any user forcing downwardly on the walker 100. However, the 
slight cushioning characteristic of the walker 100 of the present 
invention makes use of the walker 100 particularly advantageous for 
elderly or arthritic users. 
As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the walker 100 of the present invention is 
advantageously configured to position the geometric center 184, 186 of the 
second handles 150, 152 in front of the vertical longitudinal axis 188, 
190 formed through the ground-engaging tips 144, 146 and rear legs 116, 
114, respectively. In any embodiment of the walker 100 of the present 
invention, the geometric center 184, 186 of the second handles 150, 152 is 
positioned in front of the vertical longitudinal axis 188, 190 associated 
with the rear leg 116, 114. But the geometric center 184, 186 of the 
second handles 150, 152 can be positioned anywhere from directly in front 
of the vertical axis 188, 190, as suggested by FIG. 7, to about the 
mid-point vertical axis 194, 196 of the side portions 104, 106. If the 
geometric center 184, 186 of the second handle 150, 152 is positioned much 
farther forward than the mid-point vertical axis 194, 196 of the side 
portions 104, 106, the second handles 150, 152 are too far forward 
relative to the user to be of effective assistance in rising from a seated 
position because the second handles 150, 152 are too far away to be pushed 
down upon. In addition, the walker 100 may become unstable in the 
direction of the forward portion 108. The advantage of the present 
configuration can be seen when the user pushes downwardly on the second 
handles 150, 152 while in a seated position, as shown in FIG. 8. The force 
is transferred to the ground-engaging tips 144, 146 and the rear legs 116, 
114, and the walker 100 is rendered stable during the uprisal of the user 
because the force is in front of the rear legs 114, 116. 
The walker 100 may be configured with means for collapsing the walker 100 
into a more two-dimensional profile for easier carrying or storage when 
not in use. One exemplar means for providing collapsibility to the walker 
100 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 where a collapsible bar 200 may be 
positioned between the first side portion 104 and the second side portion 
106, near the top 124, to further maintain the spacing between the first 
side portion 104 and the second side portion 106. The collapsible bar 200 
may be pivotally connected to the first side portion 104 of the frame 102 
at a point 202 proximate the first handle 122, and may be pivotally 
connected to the second side portion 106 of the frame 102 at a point 204 
proximate the first handle 124 of the second side portion 106. 
Additionally, the first side portion 104 and second side portion 106 may 
both be rotatable relative to the spacing bar 109 by the front leg 112 
being slidably received in a first sleeve member 206 (see also FIG. 10) 
and the front leg 110 of the second side portion 106 being slidably 
received in a second sleeve member 208, both the first sleeve member 206 
and the second sleeve member 208 being connected to the spacing bar 109. 
To collapse the walker 100, a securing latch 210 positioned on the 
collapsible bar 200 may be released which allows the first bar member 212 
and second bar member 214 of the collapsible bar 200 to move relative to 
each, such as first bar member 212 being slidably telescoping within 
second bar member 214. The first side portion 104 of the frame 102 pivots 
with respect to the collapsible bar 200 at point 202, in the direction of 
arrow 216, and the second side portion 106 of the frame 102 pivots with 
respect to the collapsible bar 200 at point 204, in the direction of arrow 
218. At the same time, the front leg 112 of the first side portion 104 
rotates within first sleeve member 206 and the front leg 110 of the second 
side portion 106 rotates within second sleeve member 208 so that the first 
side portion 104 and the second side portion 106 come to rest in 
substantially parallel alignment with the front portion 108 of the frame 
102. Other mechanisms for collapsing the walker 100 may be employed. 
FIG. 11 illustrates another optional element of the walker 100 where a 
movable seat 219 is pivotally connected by a stabilizing bar member 220 
(shown in phantom) between the front leg 112 of the first side portion 104 
and the front leg 110 of the second side portion 106. The seat 219 may 
have reinforced bracket members 221 positioned toward the front of the 
seat 219 which engage and rest upon a support peg 222 secured to the rear 
legs 114, 116 of the frame 102. When not in use, the reinforced bracket 
members 221 may be disengaged from the support pegs 222 and the seat 219 
allowed to swing in the direction of the arrows to reside flat against and 
between front legs 110, 112. The first side portion 104 and second side 
portion 106 may then be collapsed as previously described to reduce the 
walker 100 to a two-dimensional profile. 
The walker 100 embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 10 is configured with 
web members 156, 158, positioned between the first handles 120, 122 and 
the second handles 150, 152, each having a longitudinal axis 159, 161 
which is positioned at an angle to the substantially vertical longitudinal 
axis 188, 190 associated with each of the rear legs 116, 114 of the frame 
102. Thus, the upper curved portion 172, 174 between the first handles 
120, 122 and the web members 156, 158, and the lower curved portion 176, 
178 between the web members 156, 158 and the second handles 150, 152 have 
an acute inside angle of curvature (i.e., less than 90.degree.). 
An alternative embodiment of the walker 100 is illustrated in FIG. 12 where 
only the first side portion 104 is shown and described, but it is 
understood that the elements of construction and configuration described 
are equally applicable to the second side portion 106 not shown. In the 
alternative embodiment of the walker 100 shown in FIG. 12, the inside 
angle of curvature of the upper curved portion 172 and the inside angle of 
curvature of the lower curved portion 176 is relatively larger (i.e., 
approximately 90.degree.) than the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 
10. Therefore, the web member 156 is considerably more vertical in 
orientation and has a longitudinal axis 223 associated therewith which is 
substantially in parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis 188 
positioned through the rear leg 116. 
In the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, the geometrical 
center 184 of the second handle 150 is positioned in front of longitudinal 
axis 188 of the rear leg 116 so that the imposition of weight on the 
second handle 150 is transferred to a point in front of the load-bearing 
leg 116. The geometric center 223 of the first handle 120 in this 
embodiment may be situated substantially over the mid-point vertical axis 
194 of the side portion 104. 
Another alternative embodiment of the walker 100 of the present invention 
is illustrated in FIG. 13 where only the first side portion 104 is shown 
and described, but it is understood that the elements of construction and 
configuration described are equally applicable to the second side portion 
106 not shown. In the walker 100 shown in FIG. 13, the second handle 150 
is formed to the rear leg 116 by side curved portion 180 which has an 
inside angle of curvature of about 90.degree.. The second handle 150 is 
also interconnected to the front leg 112 of the first side portion 104 by 
a support bar 226 which is secured to the front leg 112. The first handle 
120 is formed to the web member 156 by an upper curved portion 172 which 
has an inside angle of curvature of about 90.degree., plus or minus 
20.degree.. 
The web member 156 is secured to the support bar 226. The distance 160 
between the second handle 150 and the floor is selected to position the 
second handle 150 at an appropriate height to assist a user in rising from 
a seated position. Although it may vary, a distance 160 of between about 
sixteen inches and about twenty-five inches positions the second handle 
150 at a suitable height for arising from a seated position on most 
chairs, couches, benches, etc. The positioning of the second handle 150 
above the rear leg 116 allows the transfer of weight imposed on the second 
handle 152 to a point in front of the rear leg 116 during uprisal. 
Yet another alternative embodiment of the walker 100 of the present 
invention in shown in FIG. 14 where, again, only the first side portion 
104 is shown and described, but it is understood that the elements of 
construction and configuration described are equally applicable to the 
second side portion 106 not shown. The illustrated embodiment of FIG. 14 
differs from the previously described embodiments of the walker 100 in 
having the first handle 120 free and unattached to the second handle 150 
by a web member. Rather, the first handle 120 is connected to the front 
leg 112 of the first side portion 104 by a front curved portion 228. The 
second handle 150 is also connected to the front leg 112 by support bar 
226 and is connected to the rear leg 116. The front curved portion 228 of 
the frame may have an inside angle of curvature of between about 
45.degree. to about 135.degree.. The distance 230 between the first handle 
120 and the second handle 150 is sufficient to avoid the user's arm coming 
in contact with the first handle 120 during uprisal when the user's hand 
is positioned on the second handle 150. The distance 230 may preferably be 
between about ten inches and about sixteen inches. Also as illustrated in 
FIG. 14, space adjustment means 232 may be provided to selectively adjust 
the distance 230 between the first handle 120 and the second handle 150. 
One such adjustment means 232 may be, for example, configuring the upper 
leg portion 234 adjacent the front curved portion 228 to be slidably 
received within the lower leg portion 236 of leg 112, and to be maintained 
by means such as a detent 238. Other adjustment means 232 may be employed 
with equal efficiency. 
Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 15 where 
the walker 250 is shown in a side view with only a single side displayed. 
It is understood that the description provided herein with respect to the 
single side illustrated is equally applicable to the side which is not 
shown. The frame 252 is constructed with a front leg 254 and a back leg 
256 with a support brace 258 therebetween. A first handle 260 is 
positioned at the top 262 of the frame 252, and is positioned between the 
front leg 254 and the rear leg 256. A second handle 268 is pivotally 
connected to the rear leg 256 by at least one pivot point 270. The second 
handle 268 may be aligned with a lateral support member 272 which is also 
pivotally connected to the rear leg 256 by a pivot means 276. The second 
handle 268 is also connected to the lateral support member 272 by a 
connector rod 278 which is secured to the second handle 268 by pivot means 
280 and which is also secured to the lateral support member 272 by pivot 
means 282. When not in use, the second handle 268 pivots at 270 and 280, 
and the lateral support member 272 pivots at 276 and 282 to fold against 
the rear leg 256 as shown in phantom. 
The second handle 268 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 has its geometric 
center 284 positioned in parallel alignment with, but in front of, the 
vertical axis 286 extending through the ground-engaging tip 288 of the 
rear leg 256. Thus, when the user pushes down on the second handles 268 
(bearing in mind that the frame 252 has two rear legs and a second handle 
268 pivotally connected to each), the second handles 268 fully support the 
user in uprisal (as well as in sitting down) without the frame tipping 
back on the user. The second handles 268 can then be folded up against the 
rear legs 256, as shown in phantom. Notably, the walker 100 embodiment 
shown in FIG. 15 may comprise only a second handle 268 pivotally joined to 
the rear leg 256 (i.e., without the lateral support member 272 and the 
connector rod 278) which is movable from a first position in parallel 
alignment with the rear leg 256 (as shown in phantom) to a second position 
where the second handle 268 has a lateral aspect relative to the frame 
252. 
Another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 16 
where the walker 300 is configured with three legs 302, 304, 306 which are 
spaced apart from each other to stably support a user in either a 
standing, ambulatory position or during uprisal from a seated position. 
The walker 300 may be considered to have a first side portion 310 
positionable on the right side of the user and a second side portion 312 
positionable on the left side of the user and a front leg support 314. 
Both the first side portion 310 and the second side portion 312 are 
constructed of a continuous, curvilinear structural member 318, 320 which 
has a first handle 322, 324 formed at the top 326 of the continuous, 
curvilinear structural member 318, 320, respectively, and which terminates 
at the distal end 328 with a load-bearing leg 304, 306, respectively. 
Notably, the front leg support 314 may comprise only a web member 329 
(shown in phantom) which terminates in leg 302. 
The first side portion 310 has a second handle 330 vertically spaced apart 
from, and positioned below, the first handle 322, and is joined to the 
first handle 322 by a web member 332 (shown in partial phantom). Likewise, 
the second side portion 312 has a second handle 334 vertically spaced 
apart from, and positioned below, the first handle 324, and is joined to 
the first handle 324 by a web member 336 (shown in partial phantom). The 
first handle 322 and second handle 330 of the first side portion form a 
"pair of handles," and the first handle 324 and second handle 334 of the 
second side portion 312 form another "pair of handles." The first handle 
322, 324 of each pair are spaced from the second handle 330, 334 of each 
pair a distance sufficient to permit the user to use the second handles 
330, 334 for uprisal without being obstructed by the first handles 322, 
324. The distance between the first handle 322, 324 and second handle 330, 
334 of each pair may be between about ten inches and about sixteen inches. 
Each of the three legs 302, 304, 306 terminates in a ground-engaging means 
340, 342, 344 which may be either wheels or coasters, as illustrated in 
FIG. 16, or rubber friction tips. The distance 346 between the second 
handles 330, 334 and the ground-engaging means 342, 344 of the legs 304, 
306 to which the second handles 330, 334 are formed is selected to be a 
height sufficient to allow the user to grasp the second handles 330, 334 
and push himself or herself up from a seated position, or to grasp the 
second handles 330, 334 and ease himself or herself into a seated 
position. The distance 346 may be between about seventeen to about 
twenty-five inches. The distance 346 may be selectively adjusted by length 
extension means 348, 350, 352 associated with each leg 302, 304, 306, 
respectively. 
As with the other walker embodiments described previously, the geometric 
center 354, 355 of each of the second handles 330, 334 is positioned in 
front of the longitudinal axis 356, 357 which is formed through the leg 
304, 306, respectively, to which the second handle 330, 334 is formed. 
Thus, by its design, the walker 300 may be used for rising from or lowing 
to a seated position without having the walker 300 become unstable. 
The walker 300 embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16 may also be collapsible 
from a three-dimensional profile, as shown, to a two dimensional profile 
by rotating the first side portion 310 horizontally, in the direction of 
arrow 358, to bring the first side portion 310 in adjacent alignment with 
the second side portion 312. To facilitate the rotation of the first side 
portion 310 in relationship to the second side portion 312, a sleeve 
member 360 may be positioned about the web member 329 of the front leg 
portion 314, the web member 332 of the first side portion 310 and the web 
member 336 of the second side portion 312 to maintain those elements in 
adjacent proximity to each other, and to facilitate rotation of the web 
members 332, 336 relative to each other. The walker 300 may even be 
configured with adjustable means (not shown) which allow the first side 
portion 310 and second side portion 312 to be adjusted to any desired 
angular relationship relative to each other. In addition, by its 
collapsible construction, the walker 300 may be collapsed to a 
two-dimensional profile and used as a two-legged cane. 
Optionally, the walker 300 may also be constructed with brake means 364, 
366 associated with the first handle 322, 324 of each pair of handles when 
the walker 300 is configured with wheels or coasters 342, 344 at the 
terminal ends of the legs 304, 306. Additionally, the second handle 330, 
334 of each pair of handles may be constructed with brake means 370, 372 
to prevent the walker 300 from moving when the user is rising from a 
seated position with the assistance of the second handles 330, 334. 
The walking- and uprisal assist devices of the present invention provide a 
unique, dual handled configuration which permit the user to employ one 
handle or set of handles to arise from a seated position and another 
handle or set of handles to assist in walking. While being suitably rigid 
in construction, the continuous curvilinear configuration of the present 
invention provides a degree of cushioning in the invention which makes use 
of the device for uprisal and walking more suitable for elderly and 
arthritic users as compared to devices previously known and used. The 
spacing between the handles also provides unobstructed use of the device 
for uprisal and is particularly suitable for elderly and arthritic users. 
The present invention can be adapted for use in the form of either a cane 
or a walker, or any other suitable walking-assist device. Thus, reference 
herein to specific details of the illustrated embodiments is by way of 
example and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to those skilled 
in the art that many modifications of the basic illustrated embodiments 
may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention 
as recited by the claims.