Compact folding cane

Abstract

A compact and collapsible cane includes a handle, a tip, and at least two collapsible cane segments joining the handle to the tip. In some aspects, the cane segments are configurable in an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration, where, in the folded configuration, a flat or nesting surface of one of the cane segments abuts a corresponding flat or nesting surface of an adjacent cane segment. In various examples, the collapsible cane includes a hinge with two parallel pivot axes between the two collapsible cane segments. In some examples, the cane includes a connector system with a male connector and a female connector connected by a shock cord between the two collapsible cane segments.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A foot assembly for a cane, the foot assembly comprising a removable foot, wherein the removable foot comprises:
 a top end;   a bottom end opposite from the top end, wherein the bottom end is a ground-engaging portion of the removable foot;   an outer surface extending from the top end to the bottom end; and   a cavity defined in the top end of the removable foot and comprising a cavity surface,   wherein the cavity surface comprises a first coupling feature that is configured to selectively engage a second coupling feature of a foot anchoring member of the foot assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The foot assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling feature comprises at least one protrusion on the cavity surface. 
     
     
         3 . The foot assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising the foot anchoring member, wherein the foot anchoring member is positionable within the cavity, and wherein the foot anchoring member is connectable to a cane segment of the cane. 
     
     
         4 . The foot assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the second coupling feature comprises at least one recessed groove. 
     
     
         5 . The foot assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the first coupling feature comprises at least one protrusion, and wherein the at least one recessed groove engages the at least one protrusion within the cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The foot assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the foot anchoring member comprises a base and an extension, wherein the second coupling feature is on the extension, and wherein the foot anchoring member is positionable within the cavity such that the base is outside of the cavity and the extension is within the cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The foot assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the removable foot further comprises a groove in the outer surface, wherein the groove extends from the top end to a position between the top end and the bottom end, wherein the groove comprises a groove surface that is recessed relative to the outer surface. 
     
     
         8 . The foot assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the groove surface is a nesting surface configured to receive a portion of a cane segment of the cane. 
     
     
         9 . The foot assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the groove surface is flat. 
     
     
         10 . The foot assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity comprises a single cavity opening. 
     
     
         11 . The foot assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the single cavity opening is in the top end. 
     
     
         12 . The foot assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the cavity opening is non-circular. 
     
     
         13 . The foot assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the removable foot further comprises:
 a core comprising the top end of the removable foot, wherein the core comprises a first material; and   a grip comprising the bottom end of the removable foot opposite from the top end,   wherein the grip comprises a second material that is flexible relative to the first material.   
     
     
         14 . The foot assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the core forms a first portion of the outer surface and wherein the grip forms a second portion of the outer surface. 
     
     
         15 . The foot assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first material defines a first portion of the cavity and wherein the second material defines a second portion of the cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The foot assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom end of the removable foot comprises a plurality of toes. 
     
     
         17 . A cane comprising the foot assembly of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . The cane of  claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of cane segments that are configurable between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration by moving the cane segments apart from one another and rotating the cane segments relative to one another.