Patent Publication Number: US-10306958-B1

Title: Illuminated walking cane

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
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     REFERENCE TO APPENDIX 
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     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of personal and domestic articles, more specifically, a walking stick combined with an electrically powered illumination device. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The illuminated walking cane is a mobility assistance device. The illuminated walking cane is configured for use with a person. The illuminated walking cane comprises a cane and an illumination system. The cane provides mobility assistance and support during use of the illuminated walking cane. The illumination system provides a general area illumination and a point illumination source for use in low light conditions. 
     These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the illuminated walking cane will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the illuminated walking cane in detail, it is to be understood that the illuminated walking cane is not limited in its applications to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the illuminated walking cane. 
     It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the illuminated walking cane. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. They are meant to be exemplary illustrations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a detail view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments of the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
     Detailed reference will now be made to one or more potential embodiments of the disclosure, which are illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . 
     The illuminated walking cane  100  (hereinafter invention) is a mobility assistance device. The invention  100  is configured for use with a person. The invention  100  comprises a cane  101  and an illumination system  102 . The cane  101  provides mobility assistance and support during use of the invention  100 . The illumination system  102  provides a general area illumination and a point illumination source for use in low light conditions. 
     The cane  101  is a well-known and documented mobility assistance device that is commonly used to assist a person when walking. The cane  101  comprises a superior shaft  111 , an inferior shaft  112 , a threaded connection  113 , a cane tip  114 , and a handle  115 . 
     The threaded connection  113  is well-known and documented fastening device that attaches the superior shaft  111  to the inferior shaft  112 . The threaded connection  113  is described in greater detail elsewhere in this disclosure. The threaded connection  113  comprises an exterior screw thread  131  and an interior screw thread  132 . The exterior screw thread  131  is well-known and documented structure formed on the superior shaft  111  of the cane  101 . The interior screw thread  132  is a well-known and documented structure formed on the inferior shaft  112  of the cane  101 . The exterior screw thread  131  and the interior screw thread  132  are described in greater detail elsewhere in this disclosure. 
     The superior shaft  111  is a shaft formed as a hollow prism. The superior shaft  111  forms the superior structure of the cane  101 . The superior shaft  111  is further defined with a first end  201  and a second end  202 . The inferior shaft  112  is a shaft formed as a hollow prism. The inferior shaft  112  forms the inferior structure of the cane  101 . The inferior shaft  112  is further defined with a third end  203  and a fourth end  204 . 
     The cane tip  114  is a structure that attaches to the inferior shaft  112  of the cane  101 . The cane tip  114  is formed from a non-skid material that prevents the cane  101  from slipping during use. The handle  115  is a grip that is attached to the superior shaft  111  of the cane  101 . 
     The illumination system  102  is an enhancement to the cane  101 . The illumination system  102  provides a general light source and a point light source that improves the visibility of the environment around the cane  101 . The general light source generated by the illumination system  102  refers to the illumination of the area around the cane  101 . The general light source is referred to in this disclosure as the walking light  123 . The point light source generated by the illumination system  102  refers to a beam of illumination that can be aimed by the person to illuminate a specific location requiring illumination. The point light source is referred to in this disclosure as the flashlight  122 . The illumination system  102  comprises a master switch  121 , a flashlight  122 , and a walking light  123 . 
     The master switch  121  is a commercially available double pole single throw switch. The master switch  121  electrically connects the flashlight  122  to its power source. The master switch  121  electrically connects the walking light  123  to its power source. The master switch  121  is essentially the on-off switch of the invention  100 . The master switch  121  is further defined with a first lead  171 , a second lead  172 , a third lead  173 , and a fourth lead  174 . As shown most clearly in  FIG. 2 , the master switch  121  is mounted in the handle  115  of the cane  101 . 
     The flashlight  122  is the apparatus that generates the point light source of the invention  100 . The flashlight  122  is installed in the inferior shaft  112  of the cane  101 . The flashlight  122  comprises a first switch  141 , a first limit resistor  142 , a disposable battery  143 , and a first LED point source  144 . The first switch  141  is further defined with a fifth lead  175  and a sixth lead  176 . The first limit resistor  142  is further defined with a ninth lead  179  and a tenth lead  180 . The disposable battery  143  is further defined with a first positive terminal  183  and a first negative terminal  184 . The first LED point source  144  is further defined with a first anode  187  and a first cathode  188 . 
     The first switch  141  is a commercially available single pole single throw switch that controls the flow of electricity through the first LED point source  144 . The first switch  141  controls the flow of electricity through the first LED point source  144 . The first limit resistor  142  is a resistor that is placed in series between the first switch  141  and the first LED point source  144 . The first limit resistor  142  limits the amount of current that flows through the first LED point source  144 . The disposable battery  143  comprises one or more commercially available batteries that are not rechargeable. The first LED point source  144  is a structure that: 1) comprises one or more LEDs; and, 2) is assembled in a lens structure that projects the light generated by the one or more LEDs as a beam. 
     The walking light  123  is the apparatus that generates the general light source of the invention  100 . The walking light  123  is installed in the superior shaft  111  of the cane  101 . The walking light  123  comprises a second switch  151 , a second limit resistor  152 , a rechargeable battery  153 , a diode  154 , a charging port  155 , and an LED strip  156 . The walking light  123  is further configured for use with an external power source  161  and a charging plug  162 . The second switch  151  is further defined with a seventh lead  177  and an eighth lead  178 . The second limit resistor  152  is further defined with an eleventh lead  181  and a twelfth lead  182 . The rechargeable battery  153  is further defined with a second positive terminal  185  and a second negative terminal  186 . The LED strip  156  is further defined with a second anode  189  and a second cathode  190 . The diode  154  is further defined with a third anode  191  and a third cathode  192 . 
     The second switch  151  is a commercially available single pole single throw switch. The second switch  151  controls the flow of electricity into the LED strip  156 . The second limit resistor  152  is a resistor that is placed in series between the second switch  151  and the LED strip  156 . The second limit resistor  152  limits the amount of current that flows through the LED strip  156 . The LED strip  156  is a commercially available structure that comprises a plurality of LEDs that are powered through a single power connection source. The use of an LED strip  156  is well-known and documented in the electrical and home decorating arts. 
     The rechargeable battery  153  comprises one or more commercially available rechargeable batteries  153 . The chemical energy stored in the rechargeable battery  153  is renewed and restored through the use of the charging port  155 . The charging port  155  is an electrical circuit that reverses the polarity of the rechargeable battery  153  and provides the energy necessary to reverse the chemical processes that the rechargeable battery  153  initially used to generate the electrical energy. This reversal of the chemical process creates a chemical potential energy that will later be used by the rechargeable battery  153  to generate electricity. 
     The charging port  155  attaches to an external power source  161  using a charging plug  162 . The charging port  155  receives electrical energy from the external power source  161  through the charging plug  162 . The diode  154  is an electrical device that allows current to flow in only one direction. The diode  154  is installed between the rechargeable battery  153  and the charging port  155  such that electricity will not flow from the second positive terminal  185  of the rechargeable battery  153  into the positive terminal of the external power source  161 . In the first potential embodiment of the disclosure, the external power source  161  and the charging port  155  are compatible with USB power requirements. As shown most clearly in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the charging port  155  is mounted in the inferior shaft  112 . 
     In a second potential embodiment of the disclosure, as shown most clearly in  FIGS. 1, 5, and 6 , the invention  100  further comprises a flashlight  210 . The flashlight  210  is mounted in the superior shaft  111  such that the flashlight  210  generates a point source of light that supplements light generated by the LED strip  156 . The flashlight  210  comprises a third switch  211 , a third limit resistor  212 , and a second LED point source  213 . The third switch  211 , the third limit resistor  212 , and the second LED point source  213  are wired in a series circuit. The series circuit comprising the third switch  211 , the third limit resistor  212 , and the second LED point source  213  is wired in parallel across the third lead  173  of the master switch  121  and the second cathode  190  of the LED strip  156 . 
     The following seven paragraphs describe the assembly of the invention  100 . 
     The first LED point source  144  is installed within the cane tip  114  such that the light beam generated by the first LED point source  144  leaves the cane tip  114  along the direction of the center axis of the cane  101 . The cane tip  114  attaches to the fourth end  204  of the inferior shaft  112 . 
     The interior screw thread  132  is formed on the third end  203  of the inferior shaft  112 . The exterior screw thread  131  is formed on the interior surface of the second end  202  of the superior shaft  111 . The disposable battery  143  is inserted into the third end  203  of the inferior shaft  112 . The third end  203  of the inferior shaft  112  attaches to the second end  202  of the superior shaft  111  by screwing the exterior screw thread  131  into the interior screw thread  132  to form the threaded connection  113 . The handle  115  attaches to the first end  201  of the superior shaft  111 . 
     The master switch  121  is arranged such that when the master switch  121  is closed: 1) the first lead  171  electrically connects to the second lead  172 ; and, 3) the third lead  173  electrically connects to the fourth lead  174 . 
     The third anode  191  of the diode  154  electrically connects to the charging port  155 . The third cathode  192  of the diode  154  electrically connects to the second positive terminal  185  of the rechargeable battery  153 . The second positive terminal  185  of the rechargeable battery  153  electrically connects to the fourth lead  174  of the master switch  121 . 
     The third lead  173  of the master switch  121  electrically connects to the seventh lead  177  of the second switch  151 . The eighth lead  178  of the second switch  151  electrically connects to the eleventh lead  181  of the second limit resistor  152 . The twelfth lead  182  of the second limit resistor  152  electrically connects to the second anode  189  of the LED strip  156 . 
     The first positive terminal  183  of the disposable battery  143  electrically connects to the first lead  171  of the master switch  121 . The second lead  172  of the master switch  121  electrically connects to the fifth lead  175  of the first switch  141 . The sixth lead  176  of the first switch  141  electrically connects to the ninth lead  179  of the first limit resistor  142 . The tenth lead  180  of the first limit resistor  142  electrically connects to the first anode  187  of the first LED point source  144 . 
     The second cathode  190  of the LED strip  156  electrically connects to the second negative terminal  186  of the rechargeable battery  153 . The first cathode  188  of the first LED point source  144  electrically connects to the second negative terminal  186  of the rechargeable battery  153 . The first negative terminal  184  of the disposable battery  143  electrically connects to the second negative terminal  186  of the rechargeable battery  153 . The second negative terminal  186  of the rechargeable battery  153  electrically connects to the charging port  155 . 
     The following definitions were used in this disclosure: 
     Battery: As used in this disclosure, a battery is a chemical device consisting of one or more cells, in which chemical energy is converted into electricity and used as a source of power. 
     Center: As used in this disclosure, a center is a point that is: 1) the point within a circle that is equidistant from all the points of the circumference; 2) the point within a regular polygon that is equidistant from all the vertices of the regular polygon; 3) the point on a line that is equidistant from the ends of the line; 4) the point, pivot, or axis around which something revolves; or, 5) the centroid or first moment of an area or structure. In cases where the appropriate definition or definitions are not obvious, the fifth option should be used in interpreting the specification. 
     Center Axis: As used in this disclosure, the center axis is the axis of a cylinder or a prism. The center axis of a pyramid refers to a line formed through the apex of the pyramid that is perpendicular to the base of the pyramid. When the center axes of two cylinder, prism or pyramidal structures share the same line they are said to be aligned. When the center axes of two cylinder, prism or pyramidal structures do not share the same line they are said to be offset. 
     Diode: As used in this disclosure, a diode is a two terminal semiconductor device that allows current flow in only one direction. The two terminals are called the anode and the cathode. Electric current is allowed to pass from the anode to the cathode. 
     Disposable: As used in this disclosure, disposable is an adjective that refers to an object that is designed and intended for a single use. Within this context, an object would be considered disposable if it is not reusable after its initial use. 
     External Power Source: As used in this disclosure, an external power source is a source of the energy that is externally provided to enable the operation of the present disclosure. Examples of external power sources include, but are not limited to, electrical power sources and compressed air sources. 
     Exterior Screw Thread: An exterior screw thread is a ridge wrapped around the outer surface of a tube in the form of a helical structure that is used to convert rotational movement into linear movement. 
     Grip: As used in this disclosure, a grip is an accommodation formed on or within an object that allows the object to be grasped or manipulated by a hand. 
     Handle: As used in this disclosure, a handle is an object by which a tool, object, or door is held or manipulated with the hand. 
     Inferior: As used in this disclosure, the term inferior refers to an edge or surface of an object that would commonly be referred to as the bottom of the object. 
     Interior Screw Thread: An interior screw thread is a groove that is formed around the inner surface of a tube in the form of a helical structure that is used to convert rotational movement into linear movement. 
     LED: As used in this disclosure, an LED is an acronym for a light emitting diode. A light emitting diode is a diode that is also a light source. 
     Limit Resistor: As used in this disclosure, a limit resistor is an electrical resistor that is used to limit the flow of electric current through an electrical circuit. 
     Maintained Switch: A used in this disclosure, a maintained switch is a switch that maintains the position that was set in the most recent switch actuation. A maintained switch works in an opposite manner to a momentary switch. 
     Non-Skid Material: As used in this disclosure, a non-skid material is a commercially available product that can be applied to an object such that the object is inhibited from sliding along the surface upon which the object is resting. 
     Plug: As used in this disclosure, a plug is an electrical termination that electrically connects a first electrical circuit to a second electrical circuit or a source of electricity. As used in this disclosure, a plug will have two or three metal pins. 
     Port: As used in this disclosure, a port is an electrical termination that is used to connect a first electrical circuit to a second external electrical circuit. In this disclosure, the port is designed to receive a plug. 
     Prism: As used in this disclosure, a prism is a three-dimensional geometric structure wherein: 1) the form factor of two faces of the prism are congruent; and, 2) the two congruent faces are parallel to each other. The two congruent faces are also commonly referred to as the ends of the prism. The surfaces that connect the two congruent faces are called that lateral faces. In this disclosure, when further description is required a prism will be named for the geometric or descriptive name of the form factor of the two congruent faces. If the form factor of the two corresponding faces has no clearly established or well-known geometric or descriptive name, the term irregular prism will be used. The center axis of a prism is defined as a line that joins the center point of the first congruent face of the prism to the center point of the second corresponding congruent face of the prism. The center axis of a prism is otherwise analogous to the center axis of a cylinder. A prism wherein the ends are circles is commonly referred to as a cylinder. 
     Resistor: As used in this disclosure, a resistor is a well-known and commonly available electrical device that inhibits the flow of electricity through an electric circuit. Within an electric circuit processing alternating currents, the resistor will not affect the phase of the alternating current. A current flowing through a resistor will create a voltage across the terminals of the resistor. 
     Screw: As used in this disclosure, to screw is a verb meaning: 1) to fasten or unfasten (unscrew) a threaded connection; or 2) to attach a helical structure to a solid structure. 
     Switch: As used in this disclosure, a switch is an electrical device that starts and stops the flow of electricity through an electric circuit by completing or interrupting an electric circuit. The act of completing or breaking the electrical circuit is called actuation. Completing or interrupting an electric circuit with a switch is often referred to as closing or opening a switch respectively. Completing or interrupting an electric circuit is also often referred to as making or breaking the circuit respectively. 
     Superior: As used in this disclosure, the term superior refers to an edge or surface of an object that would commonly be referred to as the top of the object. 
     Threaded Connection: As used in this disclosure, a threaded connection is a type of fastener that is used to join a first tube shaped and a second tube shaped object together. The first tube shaped object is fitted with a first fitting selected from an interior screw thread or an exterior screw thread. The second tube shaped object is fitted with the remaining screw thread. The tube shaped object fitted with the exterior screw thread is placed into the remaining tube shaped object such that: 1) the interior screw thread and the exterior screw thread interconnect; and, 2) when the tube shaped object fitted with the exterior screw thread is rotated the rotational motion is converted into linear motion that moves the tube shaped object fitted with the exterior screw thread either into or out of the remaining tube shaped object. The direction of linear motion is determined by the direction of rotation. 
     USB: As used in this disclosure, USB is an acronym for Universal Serial Bus which is an industry standard that defines the cables, the connectors, the communication protocols and the distribution of power required for interconnections between electronic devices. The USB standard defines several connectors including, but not limited to, USB-A, USB-B, mini-USB, and micro USB connectors. 
     With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationship for the various components of the invention described above and in  FIGS. 1 through 6  include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the invention. 
     It shall be noted that those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the various embodiments of the present invention which will result in an improved invention, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.