Abstract:
A telescoping cane with folding platform has a telescoping mechanism to adjust the height. A bottom portion of the cane is pivotally attached to a platform. The platform pivots upward into a parallel position with a shaft of the cane for a stowed position. In a deployed position, the platform is pivoted to a perpendicular position. The wider base of the platform assists a user in balancing his stance when using the cane. The pivoting assembly is further provided with a locking mechanism to maintain the platform in a deployed or stowed position. The cane is also equipped with a platen to assist with placement of user&#39;s foot upon the platform, which aids in stabilizing the cane when attempting to rise from a seated position.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/886,939, filed Oct. 4, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an adjustable cane with a folding platform pivotally attached to a bottom thereof. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For those that suffer from afflictions such as arthritis or other degenerative diseases, even the most trivial daily activity can become difficult, and sometimes impossible. The use of a conventional walking cane by people that suffer from the aforementioned afflictions, as well as by those of advancing age, provides a stabilizing force, and a means by which they can move about safely and with lessened discomfort. While the use of a walking cane does allow the user to move about, there are numerous disadvantages associated with their use. Perhaps the most troublesome is that when the person is walking or standing and needs to use both hands to perform a function, there is not often a location where the cane can be stored in order to free up the hands. The user is forced to hook it over their arm, walk a distance to where they can store it, or perhaps lay it on the ground. None of these are satisfactory solutions as they are clumsy, and require extra effort, or require bending or stooping over to pick up the cane. Additionally, the single support point base of the cane makes it unstable, especially with off-center use such as when trying to rise from a sitting position to a standing one. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which a standard walking cane can be modified to address the deficiencies as described above. The development of the cane fulfills this need. 
     The apparatus is a cane system that enables the unattended self-standing support of the cane when not in use, and also provides for added assistance when using the cane to rise from a sitting position. The cane shaft telescopes for length adjustment. A platform, positioned at the bottom of the cane, folds out to form an approximate ninety degree (90° ) angle with the cane shaft. This platform can be folded in when it is desired to use the apparatus as a cane in a conventional manner. When folded out, the cane becomes self standing, which is beneficial when both hands are needed to perform functions, and no location is handy to temporarily place the cane. Additionally, the platform, when in a folded out position, imparts a stabilizing force to the upper part of the cane, making it stable when used in an off-center manner. Such usage is common when pushing on the cane when trying to stand up from a sitting position in a chair. A platen formed into the platform enables a user to place his foot on the platform for providing a supplementary stabilizing force when attempting to rise from a sitting position. 
     Prior art in this field consists of telescoping canes with kickstand style supports. While these supports may present a means to support the cane in a free-standing position, they fail to provide suitable stabilizing balance to assist a user in rising from a seated position. Furthermore, such supports fall short in enabling a user to employ his foot to further stabilize the cane. Other prior art canes are equipped with modified handles that support the cane in a free-standing position, but this requires placing the cane on the ground in an inverted position such that the cane&#39;s handle is rested upon the unsanitary ground. Other prior art canes are collapsible, or otherwise foldable, which provides a means to free up a user&#39;s hands, but these canes lack the added utility of supplemental stabilization provided by the platform of the current invention. Other prior art canes are equipped with tiltable handles, which may be exploited to provide added leverage for user&#39;s, but these again fail to provide suitable stabilizing balance to assist a user in rising from a seated position. Tilt-handle canes further lack the means to support the cane in a free-standing position. 
     It is an objective of this invention to provide a cane having a platform affixed to a bottom portion thereof to enable free-standing of the cane in an up-right position, thereby freeing up a user&#39;s hands. 
     It is a further objective of this invention to enable the platform to provide stability for a user employing the cane, especially when attempting to rise from a seated position. 
     It is a further objective of this invention to provide a platen formed into the platform to enable a user to employ his foot by placing it on the platform and supply supplementary stabilizing balance, especially when attempting to rise from a seated position. 
     It is a further objective of this invention to enable pivoting motion of the platform to deploy and retract the platform at a user&#39;s discretion. 
     It is a further objective of this invention to enable locking the platform in a deployed or retracted position. 
     It is a further objective of this invention to provide a length adjustment means to the cane so as to enable a user to exploit proper and adequate leverage from the cane based upon a user&#39;s stature. 
     An added benefit of this invention is to provide fingered reliefs in the handle portion for added dexterity and comfort. 
     An additional benefit of this invention is to provide a slip resistant feature to a bottom of the cane to assist with steadiness while the cane is in use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The apparatus comprises a telescoping shaft assembly, a hand grip having a plurality of formed finger reliefs, and a platform assembly. The telescoping shaft assembly comprises a first shaft that slidably inserts into another shaft, where the adjustment of the length of the shaft assembly occurs by the first shaft traversing the length of the second shaft. One (1) shaft is provided with a spring-loaded lock button that engages correspondingly aligned apertures of the other shaft to lock the shafts in relative positions to each other. A top portion of the shaft assembly is provided with the hand grip. 
     The platform assembly is pivotally attached to a bottom portion of the shaft assembly, and comprises a platform that pivots from an up position to a down position. The up position corresponds to the platform being substantially parallel to the shaft assembly, and the down position corresponds to the platform being substantially perpendicular to the shaft assembly. The platform can be locked in the up or down position. While in the down position, the shaft assembly and platform assembly form a general “L”-shape, where the platform provides a base for added stability. The platform also enables the apparatus to stand freely. In addition, the platform may be used to place a user&#39;s foot upon to assist with steadying the apparatus while attempting to rise from a seated position. A platen is formed into the platform to better aid with placement of a user&#39;s foot upon the platform. While in an up position, the apparatus can be utilized as a cane in a conventional manner. A bottom portion of the cane is further provided with a high-friction tip such that when it is in the up position, the tip makes contact with the floor. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a walking cane with integral platform  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an environmental view of the walking cane with integral platform  10  depicting an in-use state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a platform assembly portion  50  of the walking cane with integral platform  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a close-up view of the platform assembly  50  depicting a deployed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4   b  is another close-up view of the platform assembly  50  depicting a stowed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a shaft assembly portion  20  of the walking cane with integral platform  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
       
           
             10  walking cane with integral platform 
             20  shaft assembly 
             22  upper shaft section 
             24  lower shaft section 
             26  grip 
             28  finger relief 
             30  first aperture 
             32   a  locking button 
             32   b  spring 
             32   c  fastener 
             34  first slot 
             36  first pin 
             38  tip 
             50  platform assembly 
             52  collar 
             53  center opening 
             54  platen 
             56  second pin 
             58  second slot 
             60  third slot 
             62  second aperture 
             100  user 
             105  hand 
             110  foot 
             115  floor surface 
             120  chair 
         
      
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a walking cane with integral platform (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , having a deployable platform assembly  50  affixed to a bottom portion to aid a user  100  while rising from a sitting position upon a furniture item such as a chair  120 , as well as provide a self standing function. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a perspective and environmental views of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a length-adjustable shaft assembly  20 , a hand grip  26  having a plurality of formed finger reliefs  28 , and a platform assembly  50 . The shaft assembly  20  is preferably made an aluminum tube material or other light-weight material. The shaft assembly  20  further comprises an upper shaft section  22  and a lower shaft section  24  being adjustably joined together in a telescoping manner via a plurality of first apertures  30  and a spring-loaded locking button  32   a . In use, a user  100  selectively obtains a desired length of the shaft assembly  20  by aligning and engaging the locking button  32   a  within a particular first aperture  30 . 
     The shaft assembly  20  is affixed along a top end portion to an “L”-shaped hand grip  26 . The hand grip  26  preferably comprises a rubber-coated plastic or metal core preferably affixed to the upper shaft  22  being integrally-molded onto said shaft assembly  20  or otherwise equivalently affixed using adhesives, fasteners, or the like. 
     The shaft assembly  20  also provides pivoting attachment to a platform assembly  50  at a bottom end portion. The platform assembly  50  is to be capable of pivoting downwardly and being locked in a horizontal position allowing a user  100  to step upon the platform assembly  50  with one (1) foot  110  to provide stability to the shaft assembly portion  20  while using the apparatus  10  to stand up from a sitting position in a chair  120 . The platform assembly  50  may also be secured in an upward vertical stowed position (see  FIG. 4   b ), allowing the apparatus  10  to be utilized for walking in an aided manner (see  FIGS. 3 and 4   a ). The lower shaft section  24  further comprises a cylindrical rubber or soft plastic tip  38  partially inserted, and slightly protruding from a bottom open end portion, to provide high-friction contact with a floor surface  115  while utilizing the apparatus  10  during aided walking. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of a platform assembly portion  50  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The shaft assembly  20  provides pivoting attachment to the platform assembly  50  at a bottom end portion via integral first slot  34  and first pin  36  portions. The platform assembly  50  comprises a collar  52  comprises a “U”-shaped center opening  53  being shaped so as to rotatingly receive the lower shaft section  24  within. The collar  52  also includes features which enable engagement and rotational attachment to the first slot  34  and first pin  36  portions of the shaft assembly  20  including a second pin  56 , a second slot  58 , a third slot  60 , and a pair of second apertures  62 . 
     The platform assembly  50  further comprises an integral and forwardly extending flat platen portion  54  being approximately four inches (4 in.) in width and six inches (6 in.) in length. The platen  54  is envisioned being made using a metal or plastic material and provides a suitable surface onto which a user  100  may place their foot  110 , thereby stabilizing the apparatus  10  for use while standing up from a sitting position. The lower shaft section  24  is attached to the collar portion  53  via press-fit of the second pin  56  through opposing second apertures  62  of the collar  52 , and coincidental insertion through the first slot portion  34  of the lower shaft section  24 . The first slot  34  allows the second pin  56  to move freely in a vertical direction, allowing the platform assembly  50  to pivot and to be secured at either vertical or horizontal positions via engagement of the first pin  36  within respective first slot  60  and second slot  58  portions (see  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , close-up views of the platform assembly  50  depicting deployed and stowed states, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The selectable positioning of the platform assembly  50  allows rotation to a ninety (90° ) degree angle from the bottom of the lower shaft section  24  via rotation of the second pin  56  within the first slot  34 , and subsequent lowering of the platform assembly  50  downwardly such that the first pin  36  engages the second slot  58 . The platform assembly  50  may also be positioned and secured in a vertical stowed position by lifting the platform assembly  50  upwardly, and rotating said platform assembly  50  upward about the second pin  56  until generally vertical. The platform assembly  50  is then lowered such that the first pin  36  engages the third slot  60 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a sectional view of the shaft assembly  20  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The upper shaft section  22  and lower shaft section  24  portions are adjustably joined together in a telescoping manner and secured at a particular combined length via a plurality of first apertures  30  and a locking button  32   a . The equally-spaced first apertures  30  are arranged in a vertical row along a side surface of the upper shaft section  22 , and the corresponding spring-loaded locking button  32   a  is located within the lower shaft section  24 . The spring-loaded locking button  32   a  is biased outwardly by an integral elongated leaf spring portion  32   b  within the lower shaft section  24 , being anchored to said lower shaft section  24  by a fastener  32   c  such as a rivet. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be utilized as indicated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The method of configuring and utilizing the apparatus  10  for aided walking may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring the apparatus  10 ; adjusting a length of the shaft assembly  20  by pressing inwardly upon the locking button  32   a ; sliding the shaft sections  22 ,  24  relative to each other until obtaining a desired overall length of said shaft assembly  20 ; securing the shaft assembly  20  at the desired length by allowing the locking button  32   a  to protrude through an aligned first aperture  30 ; utilizing the apparatus  10  as a normal walking cane by folding the platform assembly  50  upwardly into the stowed position against the shaft assembly  20  by lifting said platform assembly  50  above the first pin  36 ; rotating the platform assembly  50  upwardly to a generally vertical position; securing the platform assembly  50  by lowering the platform assembly  50  downward so as to engage the third slot  60  and first pin  36  portions; using the user&#39;s hand  105  to grasp the grip portion  26  using the finger reliefs  28 ; and, utilizing the features of the apparatus  10  to aid a user  100  to walk to a destination. 
     The method of configuring and utilizing the platform assembly portion  50  of the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following additional steps: lifting the platform assembly  50  above the first pin  36 ; rotating the platform assembly  50  downwardly until at a horizontal orientation; lower the platform assembly  50  so as to engage the second slot  58  and first pin  36  portions; stepping upon the platen portion  54  of the platform assembly  50  with one (1) foot  110  to provide stability to the shaft assembly portion  20 ; using a hand  105  to grasp the hand grip  20  to aid a user  100  while standing up from a sitting position in a chair  120 ; and, benefiting for more secure and safer means to ascend from a sitting position afforded a user  100  of the present invention  10 . 
     The deployed platform assembly  50  may also act as a stabilizing base allowing the apparatus  10  to be left unattended in a “stand-alone” manner for a period of time to free up both hands of a user  100  when needed. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.