Abstract:
A two-headed walking stick is provided that comprises a variety of cane tips which may be used interchangeably. The walking stick defines two heads, one on either end of the stick, both of which may accept any one of a variety of cane tips selected to provide support for a particular walking surface. The walking stick also defines a gripping surface that may employ longer-than-standard grips on both ends of the stick and a strap to accommodate securely holding the device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/994,842 filed Sep. 20, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    A walking stick is a tool used by many people to assist them in walking. Walking sticks come in many shapes and sizes. The present invention is directed to a walking stick designed to aid people in walking on various surfaces. In particular, the present invention is directed to a two-headed walking stick that uses both ends of the walking stick. More particularly, a two-headed walking stick according to the present invention accommodates the use of a plurality of interchangeable walking stick end tips which are selected based upon the surface upon which the user is walking. 
         [0004]    2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Balance-impaired persons use walking sticks to give them a better sense of the vertical position, thereby lessening conditions such as vertigo. Without the walking stick, it is easy to walk at an angle, and perhaps not move in a straight line. Typically, a walking-stick is held in the stronger hand. Muscle-weakened persons exhibiting reduced strength or nerve action may need a stronger weight-bearing walking stick to take some of the load normally used by the afflicted leg. 
         [0006]    Walking sticks or canes are generally used in the hand opposite the injury or weakness. This may appear counter-intuitive; but this allows the walking stick to be used for stability in a way that lets the user shift much of their weight onto the walking stick and away from their weaker side as they walk. Personal preference, or a need to hold the walking stick in their dominant hand, means that some users choose to hold the walking stick on their injured side. Walkers are another device that serve this purpose. Walkers are held in front of the user and allow the user to lean heavily on them. In addition, walking sticks, also called trekking poles, hiking poles or hiking sticks, are used by hikers for a wide variety of purposes. 
         [0007]    The most common accessory, before or after purchase or manufacture of a walking-stick, is a hand strap to prevent loss of the stick should the hand release its grip. These are often threaded through a hole drilled into the stick rather than tied around the stick. A clip-on frame or similar device can be used to stand a stick against the top of a table. In cold climates, a metallic cleat may be added to the foot of the walking-stick. This dramatically increases traction on ice. The metallic cleat is usually designed so it can be easily flipped to the side to prevent damage to indoor flooring. 
         [0008]    Different handles are available to match grips of varying sizes. Rubber tips or ferrules give extra traction on most surfaces. Nordic walking (ski walking) poles are extremely popular in Europe. Walking with two poles in the correct length radically reduces the stress to the knees, hips and back. These special poles come with straps resembling a fingerless glove, durable metal tips for off-road and removable rubber tips for pavement and other hard surfaces. 
         [0009]    U.S. Patent Publication 2005/0211284 is directed to a trekking staff having a solid shaft portion and a hollow elongated chamber portion. The device provides sufficient strength for allowing a user to dynamically load the trekking staff with a significant portion of the user&#39;s bodyweight, and with a minimal possibility of the shaft portion bending or failing. The hollow elongated chamber portion is detachably coupled to the solid shaft portion, and can accommodate a multiplicity of hiking-related devices. A grip portion has a shape that conforms to a shape of the trekking staff and can include a strand of cord-like material. 
         [0010]    U.S. Patent Publication 2003/0145665 is directed to a land mine probe which includes a handle and a first shaft extending from the handle and terminating at a tip. In one embodiment, the probe includes a second shaft extending from the handle and terminating at a second tip. In another embodiment, the shaft includes a plurality of segments releasably attached to one another and releasably attached to the handle. In yet another embodiment, the probe includes a sound amplification device. In still another embodiment, the probe includes a device for emitting light in a direction towards the tip. 
         [0011]    The main difference between a two-headed walking stick and other more conventional walking sticks known in the prior art is that none of the prior art walking sticks comprise two heads and permit the user to mount different tips at the same time. For the above reasons and others, a two-headed walking stick is a very useful and functional innovation that many people will use. 
         [0012]    Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a walking stick with two different types of cane tips that can be used for different kinds of walking surfaces at a moment&#39;s notice. With two heads, one gets twice the duration and durability of one cane tip. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention comprises a two-headed walking stick (hereinafter, a “THWS”) with a variety of cane tips which can be used interchangeably. The THWS defines two heads, one on either end of the stick, that can be of great assistance for persons that have difficulty walking and require assistance in maintaining balance. The THWS also is useful when walking or hiking on trails, climbing hills, climbing stairs, and just walking for fun. In this case “two heads” are better than one. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  provides a three-dimensional rendering of the two-headed walking stick according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  provides a detail representation of a threaded end and cane tip according to the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  provides a three-dimensional rendering of the two-headed walking stick according to the present invention 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a THWS ( 10 ) may have two different types of cane tips ( 12 ) and ( 14 ) that can be used for different kinds of surfaces at a moment&#39;s notice. With two heads, one gets twice the duration and durability of one cane tip. If the cane falls one does not have to adjust the position of the cane in order to use it again—just pick it up and either end will suffice. Should a user need the other cane tip, all one has to do is turn it around and have a ready working end. One can have a cane tip on one end comprising a hard, rubber, flat, crutch tip that is used on a relatively firm or hard ground surface. This should grip most walking areas quite nicely. Alternatively, should the ground be relatively soft, such as after a rainy period, a wider tip with a protruding surface(s) might be of use. In either case, one has a THWS that is functional on two different kinds of surfaces. 
         [0018]    One may also find a THWS useful in going up and down hills on a hiking trail. This type of assistive device may also be used on stairs. If one does decide to sit down and rest, it is easier to lean the stick against a vertical surface without having it fall down since either end should provide more stability. 
         [0019]    The cane body shaft may be fabricated from lightweight aluminum, titanium or any other suitably rigid material. One embodiment of the cane body shaft ( 15 ) defines a cylindrical cross-sectional shape; however the cane body shaft may define any suitable geometric cross-sectional shape including, but not limited to, a square, pentagon, hexagon and the like. The device may comprise shaped or beveled ends ( 16 ), threaded ends ( 18 ), or studded ends ( 19 ) to receive the various kinds of cane tips that might be utilized. The device may comprise any similar means for removeably attaching or permanently attaching cane tips to the cane stick, as the particular application may require. For example, the means for removeably attaching or permanently attaching cane tips to the cane stick may comprise any standard male/female fastening means wherein (i) the cane shaft defines a protrusion and the cane tip defines a corresponding receptacle; or (ii) the cane shaft defines a receptacle and the cane tip defines a corresponding protrusion. 
         [0020]    Preferably, lengthened and longer-than-standard surfaces ( 20 ) for hand gripping are defined near and around both ends of the cylindrical or geometrically cross-sectional shaped bodies of the THWS so that either end of the stick may be held. This allows for a virtual infinite amount of hand-grip adjustments to correspond to the desired length needed and used on variously-leveled walking and hiking surfaces, including but not limited to stairs and hills. As an analogy, the user of the THWS changes the position of their grip as a batter would “choke-up” on a baseball bat when hitting a baseball. 
         [0021]    Holes ( 22 ) may be drilled through the THWS at each end to allow an elasticized cord ( 24 ), or any suitable chord, to be place through these holes. A cord would then be positioned over the hand of the user of the stick so that if the THWS did come loose from the gripping hand, the cord should prevent the THWS from falling to the floor or down a hill. 
         [0022]    Two hooks or extended fastener heads ( 26 ) may be placed on the shaft ( 15 ) of the THWS in order to keep the unused cord from hanging loosely. This would also prevent the cord from getting dirty should it fall on the ground. 
         [0023]    The THWS can also be easily used by people who have arthritis, generalized weakness, pain or other deficiencies in their lower extremities. As the walking stick is quite light, it can be held relatively easily in one of the upper extremities. It can help people navigate going up or down the stairs. If one is going up or down the stairs, one can use the desired length of this THWS to gain support on each particular step. One can virtually increase or decrease the length of the stick by shifting placement of one&#39;s hand on the lengthy grip ( 20 ) placed on either end of the shaft ( 15 ) of the walking stick. In contrast, a fixed-length cane is difficult to use going up or down a set of stairs. 
         [0024]    For people with lower extremity problems, a THWS may be more useful than a traditional walking cane when just walking on level or slightly uneven ground. Again, with two different types of heads that can grip the ground, it is easy to flip the stick to one end or the other end and use either tip as needed. It is also easier to extend the virtual length of the THWS as needed if one wants to avoid a specific spot on the ground as the THWS is much longer than a traditional walking cane. 
         [0025]    Although the invention has been described in considerable detail with respect to particular embodiments of the Applicant&#39;s invention, it will be apparent that the invention is capable of numerous modifications and variations, apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.