US 6,951,224 B2 · Walking support having shoehorn/gripper and magnet accessories

Abstract

A walking stick or cane comprises a support having a foot at one end thereof and a handle at the other. A gripper device adjacent the foot includes a shoehorn assembly pivoted to the support for movement toward and away from the foot for grasping objects between the end of the foot and the shoehorn assembly. The gripper device is operated by a trigger mounted adjacent the handle and a rod generally parallel to the support. In one embodiment, the shoehorn assembly includes a shoehorn which acts to grasp an object. In another embodiment, the shoehorn assembly includes a shoehorn which does not act to grasp an object. A permanent magnet on the handle allows the user to invert the cane and pick up iron objects. Because the magnet is adjacent the handle, it does not collect floor debris during normal use.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A walking support for supporting weight of a user, for grasping an object on a remote surface and for assisting the user in putting on shoes, comprising

an elongate support having a foot at a first end and a foot at a second end for supporting weight of a user, and a gripper including
a shoehorn assembly mounted for movement toward and away from a lower end of the support for grasping an object between the shoehorn assembly and a lower end of the elongate support and
an actuator for manipulating the shoehorn assembly,
the shoehorn assembly including a shoehorn having a lower end sufficiently thin to pass between a user's foot and shoe and acting as a shoehorn whereby the user may use the gripper to grasp an object on a remote surface and use the shoehorn to assist the user in putting on shoes.

1 more element

The method of using a walking support having multiple capabilities and comprising

an elongate support having a body support at a first end and a foot at a second end for supporting weight of a user, and a gripper including a shoehorn assembly mounted for movement toward and away from a lower end of the support for grasping an object between the shoehorn assembly and a lower end of the elongate support and an actuator for manipulating the shoehorn assembly, the shoehorn assembly including a shoehorn having a lower end sufficiently thin to pass between a user's foot and shoe and acting as a shoehorn whereby the user may use the gripper to grasp an object on a remote surface and use the shoehorn to assist the user in putting on shoes, the method comprising
supporting weight of the user on the body support;
grasping an object between the shoehorn assembly and the foot;
and
guiding the user's foot into a shoe with the shoehorn.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Walking support having shoehorn/gripper and magnet accessories

Life of this patent

Walking support having shoehorn/gripper and magnet accessories

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15