Articulating cane

Abstract

A cane includes a shaft portion having a first end and a second end. A handle is pivotably coupled proximate to the first end of the shaft portion. An elongate member is pivotably attached to the handle and extends generally parallel to the shaft portion. A spring biases the elongate member toward the handle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cane comprising:
 a shaft portion having a first end and a second end;   a handle pivotably coupled proximate to the first end of the shaft portion;   an elongate member pivotably attached to the handle and extending generally parallel to the shaft portion; and   a spring biasing the elongate member toward the handle.   
     
     
         2 . A cane as in  claim 1  further comprising a handle link pivotably attached to the handle and pivotably coupled to the first end of the shaft portion. 
     
     
         3 . The cane according to  claim 1  wherein:
 the elongate member includes a rod and a spring stop attached to the rod; and 
 the spring is disposed on the rod and has a first end toward the handle that rests against a side of the spring stop away from the handle. 
 
     
     
         4 . The cane according to  claim 3  further comprising a spring tension adjustment mechanism disposed against a second end of the spring which adjusts the tension on the spring. 
     
     
         5 . The cane according to  claim 4  wherein the spring tension adjustment mechanism comprises:
 a threaded coupler coupled to the shaft portion; and 
 a screw threaded to the threaded coupler and having an end determining a position of the second end of the spring. 
 
     
     
         6 . The cane according to  claim 1  further comprising a height adjustment assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The cane according to  claim 6  wherein the height adjustment assembly comprises:
 a height adjustment screw; and 
 a nut threaded to the height adjustment screw and coupled to the shaft portion. 
 
     
     
         8 . The cane according to  claim 7  further comprising a cane bottom coupled to an end of the height adjustment screw. 
     
     
         9 . The cane according to  claim 1  wherein the handle includes finger depressions. 
     
     
         10 . The cane according to  claim 1  wherein the handle includes a handle core and grips on opposite sides of the handle core. 
     
     
         11 . The cane according to  claim 1  further comprising an attachment member coupled to the shaft portion. 
     
     
         12 . The cane according to  claim 11  wherein the attachment member includes a ring.