Abstract:
A mobility aid in the form of a trek pole is disclosed. The trek pole has a lower portion adapted to be maintained in a generally upright position when in use, an upper handle portion, and a joint between the lower portion and the upper handle portion. The joint enables the upper handle portion to be moved between an upright position typical of a trek pole, in which the upper handle portion extends upwardly from an upper end of the lower portion, to a horizontal position which provides the advantages of a cane, in which the upper handle portion extends outwardly from an upper end of the lower portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a trek pole that has two handle positions, a horizontal and a vertical position, such that the trek pole is convertible to a cane. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0004]    It is well understood that the present population distribution includes a disproportionately large number of people in middle age and/or approaching old age. It is also understood that this particular group of people is focused on fitness, health, and the maintenance of a youthful lifestyle in a way that has never been previously documented. As a result, when the disabilities that sometimes come with age occur, this generation is particularly unwilling to accept the appearance of such disabilities, and compliance with medically recommended practices is reduced. 
         [0005]    A clear example of this is found in walking aids, such as canes, walkers, and the like. Though many aging people require the use of such devices for safety, use of the devices skews unacceptably “old” to the current generation of aging persons. As a result, patients fail to use the devices regularly, thus preventing healing where use of the device is intended to promote healing, or exposing the patient to greater instability and a possible fall where use of the device is intended to provide balance. 
         [0006]    What is needed is a mobility aid that provides the benefits of traditional canes, walkers, and the like, but does not give the appearance of infirmity, and preferably which even gives the appearance of health and fitness. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A mobility aid is presented which is in the form of a trek pole. The trek pole has a lower portion adapted to be maintained in a generally upright position when in use, an upper handle portion, and a joint between the lower portion and the upper handle portion. The joint enables the upper handle portion to be moved between an upright position typical of a trek pole, in which the upper handle portion extends upwardly from an upper end of the lower portion, to a horizontal position which provides the advantages of a cane in which the upper handle portion extends outwardly from an upper end of the lower portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention in a first, trekking position; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows the device shown in  FIG. 1  in a second, cane position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the mobility aid  10  of the present invention preferably has the appearance and characteristics of a standard trek pole. The trek pole  10  includes a an upwardly extending shaft or body  12 , which may be comprised of a series of tubular portions  14  and locking devices  16  for allowing the trek pole  10  to be telescopically adjusted to a user&#39;s preferred height or to be retracted for storage or transport. Body  12  includes a tip  18  at its bottom end and a handle  20  at its top end. Handle  20  is connected to body  12  by way of a joint or connection portion  22  which, as will be discussed in connection with the convertibility aspect of the invention, includes a release tab  24 . Handle  20  has a finger gripping portion  26  and a palm gripping portion  28 . 
         [0012]    Body  12  is preferably constructed of lightweight metal or a metal-fiber composite so that the pole  10  is lightweight but strong enough not to flex under pressure. Locking devices  16  may be of the clasp type typically employed on trek poles, camera tripods, and the like, or may be any other type of device that provides a range of height adjustability to the user while still providing a secure lock to prevent accidental retraction of the tubular portions  14  due to the pressure exerted by the user. 
         [0013]    Tip  18  may be constructed of hard rubber, metal, plastic, or any other suitable material or combination of materials. In addition, tip  18  may be replaceable by the user due to wear or may be interchangeable with a number of alternate tips constructed of other materials. Tip  18  may thus be selected depending on the traction required for the trekking environment. For example, an outdoor walk on a dirt path might call for a metal tip, while a walk at the mall might call for a hard rubber tip. Along these same lines, tip  18  may be pointed, flat, rounded, angular, or another shape or size as needed, and may include a projection of some sort, such as a flange or series of flanges, a disk attachment, an upside-down cup or basket, or some alternate structure that will prevent tip  18  from sinking into penetrable or shifting terrain, such as sand or grass. Furthermore, it is contemplated that, in addition to providing shock-absorption via use of an appropriate tip  18 , a separate shock-absorbing portion (not shown) could be placed proximate tip  18  for additional or primary shock absorption. 
         [0014]    Handle  20  is preferably constructed of a rigid inner structure providing support and firm connection to connection portion  22  and an outer structure constructed of a material providing firm but comfortable gripping support to a user&#39;s hand. Finger gripping portion  26  is preferably shaped to receive the fingers of the user&#39;s hand, while palm portion  28  is preferably shaped to receive the palm of the user&#39;s hand. Finger gripping portions  26  and palm portion  28  may be constructed of a material different than the other materials employed in the construction of handle  20 . Portions  26  and  28  may be integral with handle  20  or may be constructed by way of attachment of pads or the like to handle  20 . Handle  20  may additionally supplied with a wrist strap  30 , which may be worn during use of pole  10  to prevent pole  10  from dropping in the event the user accidentally releases handle  20 . Strap  30  may also be used for carrying pole  10  when not in use and may be replaced by any other suitable apparatus. 
         [0015]    The user may use pole  10  with handle  20  in an upright position or may convert handle  20  to an outwardly extending position as needed. To convert handle  20 , the user depresses release tab  24  to unlock handle  20  from its upright locked position. Once unlocked, handle  20  is simply moved downward, preferably so that finger gripping portion  26  faces down, to an approximately 90° angle from vertical body  12  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Handle  20  locks into both the upright position and the outwardly extending position, preferably with an audible click. 
         [0016]    Due to the different manner in which a user grasps a trek pole and a cane, i.e. a flexed arm position versus an almost fully extended arm, the length of body  12  must be shorter when pole  10  is used in its cane configuration. A support tab  32  is therefore provided on body  12  to allow a user to quickly adjust body  12  downward to a predetermined level without having to perform micro-adjustments. Tab  32  is retractable within body  12  when body  12  is to be fully retracted, but provides a stable support for converting to use as a cane. 
         [0017]    In another embodiment of the device, a plurality of locking positions located between the fully upright position and the fully extended position are provided to better adapt to individual user needs. These positions may be at select predetermined locations throughout the range of movement of handle  20 . Alternately, handle  20  may be designed to lock into any position within the range of movement provided by connection portion  22 , providing the highest degree of individual user customization. 
         [0018]    It is also contemplated that handle  20  may be removable from body  12  to expose a storage compartment or accessory (not shown) within body  12 . A storage compartment could contain any number of relatively small items for ease of access or for emergencies, such as cash, pills, a syringe, matches, or the like. Body  12  could alternately house a specific accessory, either of an electronic nature or other, such as a flashlight, pocket knife, strobe light, or emergency call button. The accessory could be integrated with body  12 , or removable from body  12  such that removal of the accessory allows use as a storage compartment. 
         [0019]    Furthermore, it is contemplated that the single trek pole described herein could be sold in pairs, in a configuration known as walking sticks or walking poles. Naturally, the poles could be identical, but it may be beneficial to provide one member of the pair with features different from the features present in the second member of the pair, thus expanding the range of possible uses. With a pair of poles, accessories such as a clip or clips to connect the pair together for transport and storage, or a bag for transporting and storing the poles, are likewise contemplated. 
         [0020]    The embodiments described herein explain the best known mode of practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention, but should not be considered limiting. Rather, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth herein, but is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways, and all such modifications and variations are within the scope of the claims set forth below. Further, various elements or features discussed or shown herein may be combined in ways other than those specifically mentioned, and all such combinations are likewise within the scope of the invention.