Abstract:
A lightweight, stable walking cane that contains an integrated grasper tool to extend a user&#39;s reach to pick up objects. The cane contains two configurations, a locked walking cane configuration for stability and balance, and an unlocked configuration with an open grasper tool for grasping objects.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/445,718 filed on Jan. 12, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates a lightweight walking cane that contains an integrated grasper tool to extend a user&#39;s reach to pick up objects. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     A walking cane is a device that provides stability and balance to a user when walking, standing, or sitting. Previous canes include features and accessories that conveniently provide additional functions to users, including the ability to reach and grasp distant objects. 
     Reaching and grasping objects on the ground, the floor, or high shelves is an important daily function for people. Unfortunately, due to injuries, surgeries, heights, disabilities, age, or other infirmities, a person may not have the strength, mobility, flexibility, stability, or balance needed to reach items to extend and grab items located on lower or higher surfaces. 
     Previous canes contain accessories intended to assist a person to grasp items out of his or her reach. These canes contain attached grabbers with a gripping mechanism, usually in the form of a claw, pincer, tab, or suction cup, to grab a desired item. A user must operate a separate mechanism to actuate the attached grabbers. 
     Additional, other previous canes are grabber hand tools roughly configured into the shape of a cane. 
     Problems arise with these previous canes. The addition of a grabber tool or designing grabber tools into a cane configuration both affect the strength, integrity, and usability of the devices as a walking cane for stability and balance. 
     The present invention avoids the need to separately carry a cane and a hand grabber tool. It also avoids elaborate accessories or configurations that affect the stability of the walking cane, while maintaining a strong grabbing mechanism. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     The subject invention discloses a lightweight walking cane with a concealable grasper comprising: a top handle on a proximal end of the cane, the handle including a spring loaded trigger; the concealable grasper on a distal end of the cane, wherein the grasper comprises two wrist half graspers, a grasper spring, a grasper actuator, two proximal phalanges, two ligaments, two distal phalanges, and two half boots, wherein the two half boots each have an internal face, wherein the internal faces have complementary shapes with each other; an internal rod operatively attached to the spring loaded trigger, wherein the internal rod extends from the spring loaded trigger on a proximal end and is operatively attached to the grasper actuator on a distal end; a structural support tubing having a cane axis about the internal rod and attached to the handle, wherein the structural support tubing extends in a substantially straight direction from the handle on a proximal end to the two wrist half graspers on a distal end; a slidable sleeve comprising two halves, each sleeve half comprising proximal and distal detents on the structural support tubing; a slidable external tubing attached about the structural support tubing, wherein the external tubing extends about the structural support tubing from the sleeve to the two wrist half graspers on the distal end; wherein in a locked configuration of the cane, the external tubing covers the two proximal phalanges, the two ligaments and the two distal phalanges in a substantially straight position that is substantially parallel with each other and the structural support tubing, and the complementary internal faces of the two half boots are joined so as to form a ground contact end for the cane; wherein sliding the sleeve and the external tubing in a proximal direction on the structural support tubing uncovers the two proximal phalanges, the two ligaments and the two distal phalanges, and slides the distal end of the internal rod proximally away from the grasper actuator towards the spring loaded trigger, releasing the trigger on the top handle and activating the grasper actuator to rotate the two proximal phalanges and the two ligaments outwardly away from the cane axis in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other, further wherein the two distal phalanges and the two half boots extend outwardly away from the cane axis in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other while remaining parallel with the structural support tubing to form an unlocked configuration of the cane with an open grasper; wherein in the unlocked configuration, applying a force to pull the trigger towards the handle moves the internal rod distally to activate the grasper actuator and retract the two proximal phalanges and the two ligaments to inwardly in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other, and wherein the two distal phalanges and the two half boots retract inwardly towards the cane axis in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other while remaining parallel to each other and the structural support tubing to grasp an object. 
     The subject invention also discloses a combination cane and grabber tool comprising: an elongated cane body comprising a structural support tubing having a cane axis, a proximal end and a distal end; a handle on the proximal end of the cane, the handle including a trigger; a concealable grasper on a distal end of the cane, wherein the grasper comprises an actuator, a wrist, a first proximal phalange, a first ligament, a first distal phalange, a first half boot, a second proximal phalange, a second ligament, a second distal phalange, a second half boot; an internal rod operatively attached to the trigger, wherein the internal rod extends from the trigger on a proximal end and is operatively attached to actuator on a distal end; a sleeve and a distal external tubing on the structural support tubing, wherein the sleeve and the external tubing are configured to slide proximally to unlock the grasper for grasping objects; wherein in a locked position of the cane and grabber tool, the sleeve and the external tubing are detained in a distal position, further wherein the first proximal phalange, the first ligament, the first distal phalange, the second proximal phalange, the second ligament, and the second distal phalange are all covered by the external tubing in a substantially straight position that is substantially parallel with the structural support tubing, further wherein the first and second half boots each have an internal face that are complementary to each other, and are joined to form the ground support end for the cane; wherein an unlocked position of the cane and grabber tool is achieved by sliding the sleeve and the external tubing in the proximal direction, which uncovers the first proximal phalange, the first ligament, the first distal phalange, the second proximal phalange, the second ligament, and the second distal phalange; wherein the internal rod is moved in a proximal direction to allow the actuator to open the grasper by rotating the first proximal phalange and the first ligament outwardly away from the cane axis in a substantially parallel position with each other, and rotating the second proximal phalange and the second ligament outwardly away from the cane axis in a substantially parallel position with each other, wherein the first proximal phalange and the first ligament extend outwardly in a direction that is opposite to the outward direction of the second proximal phalange and the second ligament, wherein the internal rod also rotates the trigger away from the handle; wherein in a grasping position of the cane and grabber tool, the trigger is pulled towards the handle with force, pushing the internal rod in the distal direction, which activates the actuator to rotate the first proximal phalange and the first ligament inwardly towards the cane axis in a substantially parallel direction with each other, and rotates the second proximal phalange and the second ligament inwardly towards the cane axis in a substantially parallel direction with each other, wherein the first proximal phalange and the first ligament rotate inwardly in a direction that is substantially aligned and opposite to the inward direction of the second proximal phalange and the second ligament thereby closing the grasper; and wherein the first distal phalange and the first half boot move inwardly towards the cane axis, and the second distal phalange and the second half boot move inwardly towards the cane axis, in parallel to each other motion and parallel to the cane axis. 
     The subject invention further discloses a lightweight walking cane with a concealable grasper comprising: a top handle, the handle including a spring loaded trigger; the concealable grasper on a distal end of the cane, wherein the grasper comprises, a grasper actuator, two proximal phalanges, two distal phalanges, and two half boots; an internal rod operatively attached to the spring loaded trigger, wherein the internal rod extends from the spring loaded trigger on a proximal end and is operatively attached to the grasper actuator on a distal end; a structural support tubing about the internal rod and extending from the handle to the grasper; a slidable sleeve on the structural support tubing; a slidable external tubing attached about the structural support tubing and extends to the grasper; wherein in a locked configuration of the cane, the external tubing covers the two proximal phalanges and the two distal phalanges in a substantially straight position that is substantially parallel with each other and the structural support tubing, and the two half boots are joined so as to form a ground contact end for the cane; wherein sliding the sleeve and the external tubing in a proximal direction on the structural support tubing uncovers the two proximal phalanges and the two distal phalanges, and moves the distal end of the internal rod away from the grasper actuator towards the spring loaded trigger, releasing the spring loaded trigger and rotating the two proximal phalanges outwardly away from the cane axis in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other, further wherein the two distal phalanges and the two half boots extend outwardly away from the cane axis, wherein the two distal phalanges and the two half boots move outwardly in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other while remaining parallel with the structural support tubing to form an unlocked configuration of the cane with an open grasper; wherein in the unlocked configuration, applying a force to pull the spring loaded trigger towards the handle moves the internal rod to activate the grasper actuator and retract the two proximal phalanges inwardly in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other; and wherein the two distal phalanges and the two half boots retract inwardly towards the cane axis in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other while remaining parallel to each other and the structural support tubing to grasp an object. 
     The subject invention further discloses a lightweight walking cane with a concealable grasper comprising: a handle including a spring loaded trigger; the concealable grasper on a distal end of the cane, the grasper including a grasper actuator, two proximal phalanges, two distal phalanges, and two half boots; an internal rod attached to the spring loaded trigger and the grasper; a structural support tubing about the internal rod and extending from the handle to the grasper; a slidable sleeve on the structural support tubing; a slidable external tubing about the structural support tubing extending to the grasper; wherein sliding the sleeve and the external tubing in a distal direction locks the cane by covering the two proximal phalanges and the two distal phalanges in a substantially straight position that is substantially parallel with each other and the structural support tubing, and the two half boots form a ground contact end for the cane; further wherein sliding the sleeve and the external tubing in a proximal direction unlocks the cane by uncovering the two proximal phalanges and the two distal phalanges, and moves the internal rod away from the grasper releasing the spring loaded trigger and rotating the two proximal phalanges outwardly away from the cane in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other, wherein the two distal phalanges and the two half boots extend outwardly away from the cane, wherein the two distal phalanges and the two half boots move outwardly in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other while remaining parallel with the structural support tubing to form an open grasper; wherein in the unlocked configuration, applying a force to pull the spring loaded trigger towards the handle moves the internal rod to activate the grasper and retract the two proximal phalanges, the two distal phalanges, and the two half boots inwardly in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other to grasp an object. 
     The subject invention further discloses a lightweight walking cane with a concealable grasper comprising: a handle including a spring loaded trigger for actuating the grasper on a distal end of the cane; a structural support tubing extending from the handle to the grasper; a sleeve and an external tubing on the structural support tubing, wherein sliding the sleeve and the external tubing in a distal direction closes the grasper and locks the cane, and sliding the sleeve and the external tubing in a proximal direction unlocks the cane, releases the spring loaded trigger, and opens the grasper by uncovering and rotating the two proximal phalanges, the two distal phalanges, and the two half boots outwardly away from the cane in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other; wherein applying a force to pull the spring loaded trigger towards the handle retracts the two proximal phalanges, the two distal phalanges, and the two half boots inwardly in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other to grasp an object. 
     In embodiments of the subject invention, the cane is moved back to the locked configuration by sliding the sleeve and the external tubing in a distal direction on the structural support tubing to move the internal rod distally to retract the spring loaded trigger and activate the grasper actuator to retract the two proximal phalanges and the two ligaments inwardly in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other, wherein the two distal phalanges and the two half boots retract inwardly towards the cane axis in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other while remaining parallel to each other and the structural support tubing; and wherein as the sleeve and external tubing are fully extended in a distal direction, the external tubing covers the two proximal phalanges, the two ligaments and the two distal phalanges in a substantially straight position that is substantially parallel with each other and the structural support tubing, and the complementary internal faces of the two half boots are joined so as to form the ground contact end for the cane. 
     In further embodiments of the subject invention, the cane further comprises a skid-resistant surface on the ground contact end of the cane. 
     In other embodiments of the subject invention, the cane further comprises a plurality of complementary ridges on the internal faces of the two half boots. 
     In additional embodiments of the subject invention, the cane trigger further comprises a non-slip gripping surface. 
     In embodiments of the subject invention, the term “substantially” is defined as at least close to (and can include) a given value or state, as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment, the term “substantially” refers to ranges within 10%, preferably within 5%, more preferably within 1%, and most preferably within 0.1% of the given value or state being specified. 
     In embodiments of the subject invention, the term “relatively” is defined as a comparison of a property, or the proportion of a property between two components. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description of an improved walking cane with a concealable grasper tool. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of an improved walking cane with a concealable grasper tool, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top isometric view of a Handy Cane walking cane with an integrated grasper tool in the closed configuration. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a left side view of the Handy Cane walking cane in the closed configuration. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the Handy Cane walking cane in the closed configuration. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a rear view of the Handy Cane walking cane in the closed configuration. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom view of the Handy Cane walking cane in the closed configuration. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of the Handy Cane walking cane in the closed configuration. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top isometric view of the Handy Cane walking cane with the integrated grasper tool in the open, non-clamped configuration. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a left side view of the Handy Cane walking cane with the integrated grasper tool in the open, non-clamped configuration. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a front view of the Handy Cane walking cane with the integrated grasper tool in the open, non-clamped configuration. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a bottom view of the Handy Cane walking cane with the integrated grasper tool in the open, non-clamped configuration. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a top isometric view of the Handy Cane walking cane with the integrated grasper tool in the clamped configuration. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a left side view of the Handy Cane walking cane with the integrated grasper tool in the clamped configuration. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a front view of the Handy Cane walking cane with the integrated grasper tool in the clamped configuration. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an exploded view the Handy Cane walking cane. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an enlarged isometric view of the handle of the Handy Cane walking cane. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an enlarged isometric view of the handle of the Handy Cane walking cane. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the handle of the Handy Cane walking cane. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an enlarged isometric view of the grasper tool of the Handy Cane walking cane in the open configuration. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates another enlarged top isometric view of the grasper tool of the Handy Cane walking cane in the open configuration. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates an enlarged front view of the grasper tool of the Handy Cane walking cane in the open configuration. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates an enlarged side view of the grasper tool of the Handy Cane walking cane in the open configuration. 
         FIG. 22  illustrates an exploded view of the grasper tool of the Handy Cane walking cane. 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a front cross-sectional view of the grasper tool of the Handy Cane walking cane in the open configuration. 
         FIG. 24  illustrates another front cross-sectional view of the grasper tool of the Handy Cane walking cane in the open configuration. 
         FIG. 25  illustrates an enlarged front view of the grasper tool of the Handy Cane walking cane in the clamped configuration. 
         FIG. 26  illustrates an enlarged side view of the grasper tool of the Handy Cane walking cane in the clamped configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     While several variations of the present invention have been illustrated by way of example in particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present invention, or the inventive concept of an improved walking cane with a concealable grasper tool. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-16 , the subject invention is a lightweight, elongated, substantially-rigid walking cane  1  with a handle  2  on a proximal end  3 , and an integrated grasper tool  4  on a ground contact distal end  5 , for reaching and grabbing objects. 
       FIGS. 1-6  illustrate the cane  1  in the closed, locked configuration, for use as a stable, structurally sound walking cane  1 . The cane  1  includes the curved handle  2 , and the ground contact distal end  5  to provide physical support to a user while walking, standing, or sitting. 
     The elongated body of the cane  1  is composed of a main support inner tube  6  that extends from the handle  2  on the proximal end  3  of the cane  1 , to two half wrist graspers  7  of the grasper tool  4  on the distal end  5  of the cane  1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the main support inner tube  6  extends around an internal rod  8  that extends from the handle  2  to a grasper spring  9  within the two half-wrist graspers  7  on the grasper tool  4 . A slidable lower outer tube  10 , proximate to the distal end  5  of the cane  1 , extends around the lower portion of the main support inner tube  6 . A slidable locking/unlocking sleeve  11 , formed by two halves, extends around the proximal end of the lower outer tube  10  and the distal end of the inner tube. Each half of the sleeve  11  comprises proximal and distal detents on the main support inner tube  6 . 
     The grasper tool  4  comprises two half wrist graspers  7 , the grasper spring  9 , a grasper actuator  12 , two proximal phalanges  13 , two ligaments  14 , two distal phalanges  15 , and two half boots  16 , wherein the two half boots  16  each have an internal face  17 , wherein the internal faces have complementary shapes and ridges  18  for grasping objects. The bottom surfaces of the half boots  16  form the ground contact distal end  5  of the cane  1  in the closed configuration. 
     In the locked position of the cane  1 , the distal end of the lower outer tube  10   s  covers the two proximal phalanges  13 , the two ligaments  14 , and the two distal phalanges  15 . An internal trigger spring  19  within the handle  2  applies force in a distal direction on the proximal end of the internal rod  8 , which applies downward force on the grasper spring  9  from the distal end of the internal rod  8 , to maintain the two proximal phalanges  13 , the two ligaments  14 , and the two distal phalanges  15  in a substantially straight position that is substantially parallel with each other and the main support inner tube  6 . The complementary internal faces  17  of the two half boots  16  are joined so as to form the ground contact distal end  5  for the cane  1 . 
       FIGS. 7-10 and 14-24  illustrate the cane  1  in the open, unlocked configuration, for use as a grasping tool. To achieve this unlocked configuration, the sleeve  11  is slid in a proximal direction on the main support inner tube  6 . This sliding action also slides the lower outer tube  10  in a proximal direction on the main support inner tube  6 . This sliding of the lower outer tube  10  uncovers the two proximal phalanges  13 , the two ligaments  14 , and the two distal phalanges  15 . This movement further slides the distal end of the internal rod  8  proximally away from the grasper spring  9  towards the internal trigger spring  19 , thereby releasing the trigger  20  on the handle  2 , and releasing the two proximal phalanges  13 , the two distal phalanges  15 , and the two ligaments  14  of the grasper tool  4 . This release activates the grasper actuator  12  to rotate the two proximal phalanges  13  and the two ligaments  14  outwardly away from the cane  1  axis, wherein the two proximal phalanges  13  and the two ligaments  14  rotate outwardly in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other. The two distal phalanges  15  and the two half boots  16  extend outwardly away from the cane  1  in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other while remaining parallel with the cane  1  axis. In this configuration, the grasper tool  4  is open, unlocked, and ready to grasp an object. 
       FIGS. 11-13, 25, and 26  illustrate the grasper tool  4  in a clamped, grasping position. The grasper tool  4  is moved to the clamped, grasping position by actuating the trigger  20  on the handle  2  to compress the internal trigger spring  19 , thereby sliding the proximal end of the internal rod  8  in a distal direction, which moves the distal end of the internal rod  8  distally towards the grasping spring. This activates the grasper actuator  12  to rotate the two proximal phalanges  13  and the two ligaments  14  inwardly, toward the cane  1  axis, wherein the two proximal phalanges  13  and the two ligaments  14  retract inwardly in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other. The two distal phalanges  15  and the two half boots  16  retract inwardly toward the cane  1  in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other while remaining parallel with the cane  1  axis. As the trigger is fully squeezed, the two proximal phalanges  13 , the two ligaments  14 , and the two distal phalanges  15  are moved into a substantially straight position that is substantially parallel with each other and the main support inner tube  6 . The complementary internal faces  17  of the two half boots  16  are joined so as to grasp a desired object. 
     Once the cane  1  is no longer needed for grasping an object, it is moved back into the closed, locked configuration. The sleeve  11  is slid in a distal direction on the main support inner tube  6 . This sliding action also slides the lower outer tube  10  in a distal direction on the main support inner tube  6 . This sliding of the lower outer tube  10  covers the two proximal phalanges  13 , the two ligaments  14 , and the two distal phalanges  15 . This movement further slides the distal end of the internal rod  8  distally towards the grasper spring  9  away from the internal trigger spring  19 , thereby retracting the trigger  20  on the handle  2 , and closing the two proximal phalanges  13 , the two distal phalanges  15 , and the two ligaments  14  of the grasper tool  4 . This closing activates the grasper actuator  12  to rotate the two proximal phalanges  13  and the two ligaments  14  inwardly towards the cane  1  axis, wherein the two proximal phalanges  13  and the two ligaments  14  retract inwardly in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other. The two distal phalanges  15  and the two half boots  16  retract inwardly towards the cane  1  in a substantially aligned and parallel position with each other while remaining parallel with the cane  1  axis. In this configuration, the cane  1  is once more locked and ready to be used for stability and balance.