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US 9,192,152 B1Granted
Predator-intimidating walking stick
OwnerJames Sparksinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for deterring predators, which may be used as a walking stick until a predator is encountered. Upon encountering a predator, the apparatus allows a user to rapidly deploy a collapsible rigid structure from the interior of the hollow walking stick, which supports a membrane, or set of membranes, that display the image of a fearsome creature. The deployed apparatus may also be used as an offensive or defensive pike should a predator charge a user of the apparatus. By increasing the apparent size of a user and displaying a large image of a fearsome creature, predatory animals may be deterred by this predator-intimidating walking stick.
Claims4
An apparatus for deterring predators, said apparatus comprising:
- a hollow tube, said hollow tube comprising:
- a plurality of guide holes;
- a top latch lock ring,
- a bottom latch lock ring, and
- a top opening;
- a sliding actuating collar, which is slidably fitted to the exterior of said hollow tube and which is engagable with said top latch lock ring and said bottom latch lock ring;
- a plurality of cables;
- an internally-housed sliding insert within said hollow tube, which is controlled by said sliding actuating collar using said cables, said cables being attached to said internally-housed sliding insert, threaded through said guide holes and attached to said sliding actuating collar;
- a collapsible rigid structure capable of being collapsed and stored in said hollow tube, said collapsible rigid structure being attached to said internally-housed sliding insert;
- and
- a membrane displaying a fearsome creature image, said membrane being attached to said collapsible rigid structure, said membrane capable of being stored in said hollow tube when said collapsible rigid structure is collapsed within said hollow tube, and said membrane being held taut by said collapsible rigid structure when said collapsible rigid structure is not collapsed;
- wherein said apparatus may be used as a walking stick until a predator is encountered;
- and
- wherein, upon encountering said predator, said apparatus allows a user to rapidly deploy said collapsible rigid structure from the interior of said hollow tube by sliding said sliding actuating collar down said exterior of said hollow tube, thus bringing said internally-housed sliding insert up to said top opening of said hollow tube and said collapsible rigid structure out of said top opening of said hollow tube, thereby displaying said fearsome creature image on taut said membrane and intimidating said predator.
11 more elements
An apparatus for deterring predators, said apparatus comprising:
- a hollow tube, said hollow tube comprising
- a top latch lock ring with a plurality of guide holes,
- a bottom latch lock ring, and
- a top opening;
- an end cap, said end cap being capable of fitting into said top opening in a tight manner;
- a sliding actuating collar, which is slidably fitted to the exterior of said hollow tube, said sliding actuating collar comprising:
- a top latch and
- a plurality of bottom latches;
- an internally-housed sliding insert that is controlled by said sliding actuating collar using a plurality of cables, said cables being attached to said internally-housed sliding insert, threaded through said plurality of guide holes in said top latch ring and attached to said sliding actuating collar;
- a vertical support rod, which distends from said internally-housed sliding insert, said vertical support rod comprising a sharpened point;
- two horizontal support rods, said horizontal support rods attaching to said internally-housed sliding insert with a hinge and said horizontal support rods comprising an unfurling shelf;
- a sheet set comprising
- two upper sheets, said upper sheets being connected between said vertical support rod and said horizontal support rods, and
- two lower sheets, said lower sheets being attached to said horizontal support rods and said lower sheets comprising weighted ends;
- a removable restraining strap;
- and
- a large fearsome creature image, said large fearsome creature image being displayed on said sheet set;
- wherein, before deployment, said apparatus appears and functions an ordinary walking stick with
- said internally-housed sliding insert stored at the bottom of said hollow tube,
- said sheet set folded and rolled in a compact manner and held in place by said removable restraining strap and said unfurling shelf so as to fit inside said hollow tube,
- said vertical support rod concealed within said hollow tube,
- said horizontal support rods held in a vertical position so that they are stored within the hollow tube,
- said sliding actuating collar positioned at the top of said hollow tube and fixed in place by said top latch holding said top latch ring, and
- said end cap firmly closing said top opening;
- and
- wherein, upon encountering a predator, a user may deter said predator by disengaging said top latch from said top latch ring and sliding said sliding actuating collar down the exterior of said hollow tube, thus bringing said internally-housed sliding insert up to said top opening of said hollow tube, extending said vertical support rod with said sharpened point above said hollow tube, releasing said removable restraining strap, allowing said horizontal support rods to drop to horizontal positions and stretch said two upper sheets taut between said vertical support rod and said horizontal support rods, and unfurling said two lower sheets, thereby exposing said sheet set with said large fearsome creature image to said predator;
- and
- wherein said user may use said apparatus with said extended vertical support rod with said sharpened point as an offensive or defensive pike.
25 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.