# US 8,770,211 B1 · Walking cane with retention and traction features > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,211 B1 - Document ID: US8770211B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/313,728 - Filed: 2011-12-07 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-07 - Applicants: William M. Murray - Inventors: William M. Murray - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770211B1 ## CPC - A45B 1/04: Walking sticks with means for hanging-up or with locks - A45B 2009/002: {Accessories} - 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 walking cane includes a length of flexible material forming at least a portion of a closed loop, the loop freestanding above the grip portion of the cane handle when unstressed. The loop has a perimeter defining an opening capable of receiving the hand of a user inserted through the loop to grasp the grip portion of the handle. The end portions of the loop extend below the cane handle and enable the handle to be securely positioned on a surface when the cane is temporarily not in use. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A walking cane comprising: a handle and an elongate shaft extending downwardly from the handle along a first axis, the handle comprising an end portion spaced from the shaft, the end portion including a grip portion, the grip portion having a first end and a second end separated by a length of the grip portion, the second end spaced away from the first end in a direction along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the grip portion being configured for gripping by a user of the cane; a retention device fixedly attached solely to the end portion of the handle, the retention device comprising a length of flexible material forming at least a portion of a closed loop, the loop freestanding above the grip portion when unstressed, the loop having a perimeter defining an opening capable of receiving the hand of a user inserted through the loop to grasp the handle, the loop overlaying the grip portion of the handle and extending from the first end of the grip portion to at least the second end of the grip portion whereby the opening overlays the length of the grip portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The walking cane of claim 1 wherein said end portion comprises a surface located at a free end of the end portion, the retention device fixedly attached to the surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The walking cane of claim 1 wherein said handle end portion comprises a free end, and the retention device is fixedly attached to a surface spaced from the free end. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The walking cane of claim 1 wherein the flexible material is tubing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The walking cane of claim 1 wherein the retention device comprises a fastener compressing the flexible material against the handle end portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The walking cane of claim 1 wherein the loop has a perimeter of between about twelve inches and twenty inches. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The walking cane of claim 1 wherein the length of flexible material comprises a pair of end portions, the end portions extending below the handle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The walking cane of claim 7 wherein the end portions of the material extend at least one inch below the handle when unstressed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The walking cane of claim 1 wherein the grip portion extends along a straight line parallel to the second axis from the first end of the grip portion to the second end of the grip portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The walking cane of claim 1 wherein the grip portion extends along a curved line from the first end of the grip portion to the second end of the grip portion. ### Claim 11 A method of assembling a retention device on a walking cane having a handle and a shaft extending downwardly from the handle along a first axis, the handle having an end portion spaced from the shaft, the end portion including a grip portion configured to be gripped by a user, the grip portion having a first end and a second end, the second end spaced away from the first end in a second direction by the length of the grip portion along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a loop formed at least partially from a length of flexible material; (b) placing the loop against a surface of the handle end portion with a portion of the loop extending above the handle and over the grip portion, the loop defining an opening to receive the hand of a user intending to grasp the grip portion, the loop opening overlaying the length of the grip portion; and (c) fixedly attaching the placed loop to said surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the length of flexible material comprises opposite end portions, and step (b) comprises the step of placing the end portions adjacent one another against said surface with the remaining length of flexible material extending above the handle; and step (c) comprises the step of fixedly fastening the adjacent end portions against said surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein the end portions each extend below the handle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the loop has a perimeter of not less than about twelve inches and not more than about twenty inches. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein said surface is located on an end of said end portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein said surface is located away from an end of said end portion. ### Claim 17 A walking cane comprising: a handle and an elongate shaft extending downwardly from the handle along an axis, the handle comprising an end portion spaced from the shaft, the end portion including a grip portion for gripping by a user of the cane; a retention device fixedly attached solely to the end portion of the handle, the retention device comprising a length of flexible material forming at least a portion of a closed loop, the loop freestanding above the grip portion when unstressed, the loop having a perimeter defining an opening capable of receiving the hand of a user inserted through the loop to grasp the handle, and the length of flexible material comprises a pair of end portions, the end portions extending below the handle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The walking cane of claim 17 wherein the end portions of the flexible material extend at least one inch below the handle when unstressed. ### Claim 19 A method of assembling a retention device on a walking cane having a handle and a shaft extending axially downwardly from the handle, the handle having an end portion spaced from the shaft, the end portion including a grip portion configured to be gripped by a user, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a length of flexible material, the length of flexible material comprising opposite end portions; (b) placing the end portions adjacent one another against said surface with the end portions each extending below the handle and the remaining length of flexible material extending above the handle to form a loop defining an opening to receive the hand of a user intending to grasp the grip portion; and (c) fixedly attaching the placed loop to said surface with the adjacent end portions fastened against said surface. ### Claim 20 A method of assembling a retention device on a walking cane having a handle and a shaft extending axially downwardly from the handle, the handle having an end portion spaced from the shaft, the end portion including a grip portion configured to be gripped by a user, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a loop formed at least partially from a length of flexible material; (b) placing the loop against a surface of the handle end portion located away from an end of said end portion, with a portion of the loop extending above the handle and over the grip portion, the loop defining an opening to receive the hand of a user intending to grasp the grip portion; and (c) fixedly attaching the placed loop to said surface.