Abstract:
The present invention is a Cane/walking aid that provides the user with many security features along with mobility support. The cane/walking aid can be placed under the doorknob to secure the door(s) as a door-jamming device. The cane/walking aid will provide balance and mobility support. Life-saving medical alert information (identification, illnesses and medications) will be readily available inside the cane/walking aid. A safety alarm will sound if the user pulls the alarm string, which is to be wrapped around the user&#39;s wrist. This high-decibel alarm will also sound if the user becomes separated from the cane/walking aid. It also has a flashing safety light and a built in flashlight. The cane will have mace, an alarm, and/or other personal self-defense devices within. A G.P.S. device or a talking G.P.S. is provided for navigation. The cane/walking aid can accommodate an electronic insect repellent device.

Description:
This application claims under 35 U.S.C. 119, the right of priority and the benefit of earlier filing date of provisional application Ser. No. 60/789,463, filed Apr. 5, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference. Both this application and the provisional application have common inventors. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a novel and very useful cane/walking aid adapted to provide safety, convenience, and peace of mind for the user. More particularly, the cane/walking aid is designed to contain a flashlight, a high-decibel alarm, door-jamming device, mace, GPS, flashing red light, space for medical alert information storage, and other useful mobile technologies to afford safety and a feeling of security for the owner. 
   The American populace is aging. In the 2000 census, of the 281,421,906 population, 34,991,753 individuals were 65 and older or 12.4 percent of the population. High percentages of the aging population will become physically disabled and will need a cane/walking aid to compensate for leg, knee, foot, and hip impairment. According to the U.S. National Health Interview Survey, an estimated 7.4 million people use such devices for mobility limitations; 4.6 million for orthopedic impairments (including missing limbs); U.S. Government statistics state that the older population is growing and is expected to double by 2050 and the oldest old (those 85 and older) has grown nearly three times as fast as the overall population. 
   The safety cane has several functions. While the owner sleeps, the cane/walking aid can be placed under any doorknob either of two ways to secure the door as a door-jamming device. Later, when the owner leaves the residence the cane/walking aid will provide balance and mobility support. If the user becomes unconscious or unable to speak, life-saving medical alert information (identification, illnesses and medications) will be readily available inside the cane/walking aid for those trying to help. The safety alarm will sound if the user pulls the alarm string, which is to be wrapped around the user&#39;s wrist. This high-decibel alarm will also sound if the user becomes separated from the cane/walking aid. When it becomes dark, the cane/walking aid user will have the peace of mind of being visible when the flashing safety light is activated. Also, the built in flashlight will light the user&#39;s way. If the user is bothered by a dog or unwanted person the user will have mace, the alarm, and/or other personal self-defense devices at their disposal. A G.P.S. device can also be contained inside the cane/walking aid to help locate the user if lost. The cane/walking aid can accommodate a talking G.P.S. to be used to navigate with which would be very useful for the visually impaired. Also the cane/walking aid can accommodate an electronic insect repellent device. 
   No known cane/walking aid currently provides all of these safety/security functions. Most canes simply provide walking support and a few provide light. The need for mobility and independence is a basic human need and presents itself in many settings of weather, daylight and darkness. This new novel cane/walking aid truly supports full mobility and security to those who need it. 
   Henceforth, a safety cane would fulfill a long felt need in the aging and disability population. This new invention utilizes and combines known and new technologies in a unique and novel configuration to overcome the aforementioned problems and fulfill the need for increased mobility, independence, safety, and a sense of security. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide increased security, peace of mind and independence, while also providing mobility support. The cane/walking aid has many of the advantages mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new cane/walking aid which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
   In accordance with the invention, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved mobility experience capable of offering personal safety/self defense through the mechanisms of a high-decibel alarm, mace, flashlight, and flashing/reflector red light. 
   It is another object of this invention to provide an improved cane/walking aid that can also be used for home security as a duo style, door-jamming device capable of meeting or exceeding the usual and expected functions of a typical cane/walking aid. 
   It is a further object of this invention to provide critical safety information in the form of medical alert ID, medications and illnesses of the user. 
   It is still a further object of this invention to provide for a GPS device for locating a user who is lost and/or assist the user with improved navigation. 
   It is also a further object of this invention to provide a electronic insect repellent specifically to repel mosquitoes. 
   It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a an improved mobility experience by providing increased safety and security devices incorporated into the cane/walking aid, which will in turn provide an increased sense of security, peace of mind and independence, particularly for some of the most vulnerable: the aging and disabled populations. 
   The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the safety cane; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the safety cane; 
       FIG. 3  is an top view of the safety cane; 
       FIG. 4  is a front end view of the safety cane; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the concave connector; and 
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional side view of the safety cane. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The above description will enable any person skilled in the art to make and use this invention. It also sets forth the best modes for carrying out this invention. There are numerous variations and modifications thereof that will also remain readily apparent to others skilled in the art, now that the general principles of the present invention have been disclosed. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, 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 descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   Looking at  FIG. 1  it can be seen that the safety cane  2  has a hollow, perforated head  4  with a plethora of orifices  5  therethrough and a concave saddle  7  formed on it&#39;s topmost surface. A first, removable, flexible, resilient sealing cap  8  frictionally engages the outer surface at the proximate end of the head  4 , and a second, flexible resilient, removable sealing cap  9  frictionally engages the outer surface at the distal end of the head  4 . An extendable shaft  6  extends normally from the head  4 , centered at the approximate longitudinal midpoint of the head  4 . The bottom end of the shaft has a flexible, grippable tip  10  frictionally engaged over the outer surface of the bottom end. 
   The shaft  6  has a inner, lower member  12  that fits inside the outer middle member  14 . Both members have a linear series of equally spaced penetrations  17  formed through their hollow tubular bodies that when aligned, allow for the insertion of a first spring button  20  through the aligned penetrations  17  of both the members so as to lock the shaft lower member  12  and middle member  14  in a desired length. Such spring buttons that reside inside multi piece hollow tubular body assemblies of linearly extendable members are well known in the art. 
   Looking at  FIGS. 2 and 6  it can be seen that at the top end of the shaft  6 , an upper member  16  having a semi-cylindrical, angled contour  22  cut into its uppermost end, is affixed normally to the head  4  by the insertion of the head stub shaft  24  into the internal recess  26  of the upper member  16 . The uppermost point of the angled contour  22  extends to the approximate linear midpoint of the head  4 , thereby allowing for the removal of the extendable shaft  6 . A second spring button  28  extends normally from the stub shaft  34  and locks the stub shaft  24  to the upper member  16  through penetration  17  in a similar fashion to the locking of the shaft lower member  12  and middle member  14  to a desired length as discussed above. 
   In a door jamming operation, the concave saddle  7  of the head  4  of the safety cane  2  may be abutted adjacent to the bottom side of a conventional door knob and the shaft  6  extended such that the tip  10  reaches the floor while the linear axis of the shaft resides at an acute angle with the linear axis of the door. Where non conventional door handles are used, the head  4  may be removed from the shaft  6  by depressing the second spring button  28  and extracting the stub shaft  24 , thereby exposing the angled contour  22  of the upper member  16 , which may be jammed under the door handle with the shaft  6  adjusted and placed substantially similar to that discussed above. The upper member&#39;s angled contour  22  is approximately 1½″ in length and approximately 2¼″ wide between the two prongs. This has been found suitable to accommodate a wide variety of door handles. 
   The head  4  internally houses several safety and convenience related articles. These are best explained by viewing  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  6  collectively. The interior of the head  4  houses a colored reflector  30 , frictionally constrained by the second cap  9  at the distal end; a mace (or equivalent) spray canister  32  and a flashlight  34  constrained at the first cap  8  at the proximate end such that the mace canister spray tip  36  and release button  40  as well as the flashlight switch  38  and flashlight  34  extend partially therethrough the first cap  8 ; a portable GPS device  42 ; an audible alarm device  44  and a electronic insect repeller  46  such that the alarm enabling mechanism  48  extends through one of the perforations  5  in the head  4 . 
   With this configuration there is ample room remaining in the head  4  for the storage of medicine, documents, MP3 devices, knives, alert bracelets, whistles, pens, sunglasses, lotion, contacts and a plethora of other owner selected safety and convenience articles. 
   The cane may be illuminated at night, used to send audible distress signals, used to defend oneself via pepper or mace spray, used to reflect approaching cars light back, used to deter insects, used to navigate via audible GPS signals and of course to steady the walker. Other items may be added to the cane handle tube that will enhance the personal safety of the user because of the advancement of micro-technology, which is likely to allow for increasingly smaller safety devices to be used within the head  4 . This coupled with the duo door jamming capabilities make this an indispensable aid for all. 
   The materials of the safety cane&#39;s construction will be lightweight yet strong and will encompass, aluminum, metal, and polymers. The head  4  is approximately two inches in diameter and six inches long. The first cap  8  and second cap  9  are approximately 2¼″×1⅜″ and made of an appropriate material such as rubber, metal, or plastic, etc. The head  4  may be transparent, or opaque having a viewing window. The concave saddle  7  is approximately 2″ long×1¼″ wide and may also have a soft rubber or rubber-like gripping surface. This beveled or recessed section is designed to grip under a doorknob to effectuate the door jamming function of the safety cane  2 . When using the safety cane as a walking aid, the user can also rest his/her hand in this recessed area. 
   Since the safety cane head  4  is removable this allows for user flexibility with the arrangement of the numerous components to be placed inside. Removing the head  4  will also allow the user to utilize the cane  2  itself as a door jammer and to be able to use the internal components separately. 
   Note, that while the alarm enabling mechanism  48  is depicted as a button it is known that such devices commonly use a string attached to a releasable alarm pin. In such cases, the string may be secured around the walker&#39;s wrist, while walking with the safety cane  2 . This allows the user to easily activate the alarm  44  if necessary. If the user loops the string snugly around the wrist (recommended), the alarm can be activated if the user falls or is in some way separated from the cane  2 . 
   The GPS device  42  may be used to locate the user of the safety cane  2  if they become lost. This is especially useful for elderly or mentally disabled safety cane users who may become disoriented. Another optional GPS device would allow the user to hear verbal directions as they navigate with the safety cane. 
   A blank card such as a business card or smaller will be provided to the user for medical alert information such as illnesses or medications and identifying information. The card can easily be placed inside the head  4  and can be viewed through a transparent head  4  by anyone who is trying to assist the user of the safety cane  2 . 
   All components located within said cane head  4  may be physically secured in place through the use of simple mechanical stops. Since these will vary with the user&#39;s choice of components these stops are simple polymer tabs that may be glued to the inner surface of the hollow cane head  4 . These are well known in the art and of numerous configurations, and as such have not been illustrated, although the commonest form would be a “T” formed from the normal intersection of a curved plate and a planar plate. 
   As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Any dimensions disclosed herein are not meant to be limiting but merely to demonstrate the preferred embodiment dimensions. Although shown as a round tubular design, it can be of square, rectangular, oval or other geometric configuration. The material of construction may be a polymer, steel or metal and may be varied as required by the desired resilience and weight.