# US 2023/0054910 A1 · Visually impaired multi-function hiking cane > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0054910 A1 - Document ID: US20230054910A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/406,348 - Filed: 2021-08-19 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Earliest claimed: 2021-08-19 - Assignees: Awarewolf Gear, LLC - Applicants: Awarewolf Gear, LLC - Inventors: David Epstein - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230054910A1 ## CPC - A61H 3/068: {Sticks for blind persons} - A45B 9/00: Details - A45B 9/04: Ferrules or tips {(for crutches A61H3/0288)} - A45B 9/02: Handles or heads - A45B 2009/002: {Accessories} - A45B 2009/007: {of adjustable length, e.g. telescopic shafts} - A61H 2201/0161: Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) - A45B: WALKING STICKS (walking aids, e.g. sticks, for blind persons A61H3/06); UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS (cane or umbrella stands or holders A47G25/12) ## Abstract A multi-function cane for the visually impaired can have an adjustable elongate shaft, a distal tip with a free end for contacting the walking surface, and a compression brake disposed between the shaft and the distal tip. The distal tip can have a distal portion rotatable about the axis of the cane shaft. The compression brake can allow the distal tip of the multi-function cane to rotate so the cane operates as a mobility cane when the brake is disengaged. The application of a compressive longitudinal force can engage the brake to prevent rotation of the distal tip so the cane can be load-bearing to operate as a support cane. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-function cane for a vision-impaired user comprising: an elongate shaft comprising a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, a grip disposed at the proximal end, and a plurality of telescoping segments comprising a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; a compression brake comprising a housing disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft, the compression brake preventing relative motion between the distal tip and the elongate shaft of the multi-function cane when a compressive force is applied to the cane by the user; and a distal tip disposed distal to the compression brake and comprising a distal portion with a free end for contacting a surface upon which the vision-impaired user is standing; and ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multi-function cane of claim 1, the multi-function cane being a mobility cane. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The multi-function cane of claim 1, the multi-function cane being a support cane. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The multi-function cane of claim 1, the distal tip comprising a substantially spherical ball. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The multi-function cane of claim 1, the distal tip comprising a substantially cylindrical profile. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The multi-function cane of claim 5, the distal tip further comprising a distal face with a tread plate pattern. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The multi-function cane of claim 1, the plurality of telescoping segments capable of moving telescopically with respect to one another at joints along the longitudinal axis between the collapsed configuration the expanded configuration. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The multi-function cane of claim 7, each of the joints comprising one of a twist lock feature or a tab lock feature capable of fixing a cane length between the collapsed configuration and the expanded deployed configuration. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The multi-function cane of claim 1, the housing of the compression brake comprising a recess, a spring, and at least one high-friction surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The multi-function cane of claim 9, the distal tip can further comprise a cylindrical proximal portion comprising a proximal face, the cylindrical proximal portion sized to be movable within the recess of the housing of the compression brake. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The multi-function cane of claim 9, the cylindrical proximal portion being free to rotate with respect to the spring and the housing of the compression brake. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The multi-function cane of claim 11, the spring moving the proximal face of the cylindrical proximal portion of the distal tip distally away from the high-friction surface of the housing to disengage the compression brake; and a compressive force applied to the multi-function cane moving the proximal face of the cylindrical proximal portion of the distal tip proximally into contact with the high-friction surface of the housing to engage the compression brake. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The multi-function cane of claim 1, the vision-impaired user may use the cane in a mobility mode for identifying objects around the user by disengaging the compression brake. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The multi-function cane of claim 1, the vision-impaired user may use the cane in a supporting mode by applying a compressive force to engage the compression brake. ### Claim 15 A multi-function cane for a vision-impaired user comprising: an elongate shaft comprising a longitudinal axis, a proximal end having a grip, a distal end, and a plurality of telescoping segments comprising a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and a distal tip disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft comprising a comprising a substantially spherical ball rotatable about the longitudinal axis and a compression brake disposed between the distal end of the elongate shaft and the distal tip; the compression brake comprising an engaged configuration and an open configuration. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The multi-function cane of claim 15, the engaged configuration of the compression brake preventing relative motion between the distal tip and the elongate shaft when a compressive force is applied to the cane by the vision-impaired user for support. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The multi-function cane of claim 15, the open configuration of the compression brake allowing relative motion between the distal tip and the elongate shaft for mobility of the vision-impaired user. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The multi-function cane of claim 15, the plurality of telescoping segments capable of moving telescopically with respect to one another at joints along the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The multi-function cane of claim 18, each of the joints comprising a locking feature capable of fixing the position of adjacent telescoping segments. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The multi-function cane of claim 15, the grip comprising an axial length of approximately 18 inches.