Cane With Deployable Support Structure

Abstract

A cane having: a primary leg with a top end and an opposed bottom end; a handle coupled to the top end of the primary leg; and at least two secondary legs that are each pivotably coupled to the primary leg between the top and bottom ends of the primary leg. Each of the at least two secondary legs is pivotable between a first, retracted position and a second, deployed position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cane comprising:
 a primary leg having a top end and an opposed bottom end;   a handle coupled to the top end of the primary leg; and   at least two secondary legs that are each pivotably coupled to the primary leg between the top and bottom ends of the primary leg,   wherein each of the at least two secondary legs is pivotable between a first, retracted position and a second, deployed position.   
     
     
         2 . The cane of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least two secondary legs comprises a proximal end that is pivotably coupled to the primary leg and an opposed distal end, wherein when the at least two secondary legs are in the deployed position, the distal end of each secondary leg and the bottom end of the primary leg are configured to concurrently engage a surface upon which a user of the cane is walking or standing. 
     
     
         3 . The cane of  claim 2 , wherein the at least two secondary legs consists of two secondary legs, and wherein when the two secondary legs are in the deployed position, the distal ends of the two secondary legs and the bottom end of the primary leg provide three points of contact with the surface. 
     
     
         4 . The cane of  claim 2 , wherein the at least two secondary legs consists of three secondary legs, and wherein when the three secondary legs are in the deployed position, the distal ends of the three secondary legs and the bottom end of the primary leg provide four points of contact with the surface. 
     
     
         5 . The cane of  claim 2 , wherein the handle is selectively removable and replaceable. 
     
     
         6 . The cane of  claim 2 , further comprising a collar that defines an opening that receives the primary leg, wherein the collar is secured to the primary leg between the handle and the proximal ends of the at least two secondary legs. 
     
     
         7 . The cane of  claim 6 , wherein the collar has a sleeve portion and a flange portion that extends radially outwardly from the sleeve portion to define a support surface. 
     
     
         8 . The cane of  claim 2 , further comprising a connector assembly having:
 a connector body that defines an opening that receives the primary leg; and   at least two connector projections extending from the connector body, wherein each secondary leg of the at least two secondary legs is pivotably connected to a respective connector projection of the at least two connector projections.   
     
     
         9 . The cane of  claim 8 , wherein the connector body is selectively axially translatable along a length of the primary leg to effect movement of the at least two secondary legs about and between the retracted position and the deployed position. 
     
     
         10 . The cane of  claim 9 , wherein the primary leg comprises at least one stop element configured to engage the connector body to limit axial translation of the connector body along the primary leg. 
     
     
         11 . The cane of  claim 10 . wherein the at least one stop element comprises at least one button clip. 
     
     
         12 . The cane of  claim 2 , further comprising a guide assembly having:
 a center coupling that defines an opening that receives the primary leg and is secured to the primary leg between the proximal ends of the at least two secondary legs and the bottom end of the primary leg; and   at least two extension arms extending radially outwardly from the center coupling, wherein each extension arm of the at least two extension arms is pivotably coupled to the center coupling and a respective secondary leg of the at least two secondary legs.   
     
     
         13 . The cane of  claim 12 , wherein the guide assembly further comprises at least two outer couplings, wherein each outer coupling of the at least two outer couplings is secured to a respective secondary leg of the at least two secondary legs between the proximal and distal ends of the secondary leg, and wherein each extension arm of the at least two extension arms is pivotably coupled to the center coupling and a respective outer coupling of the at least two outer couplings. 
     
     
         14 . The cane of  claim 2 , further comprising a retention assembly comprising:
 a center body that defines an opening that receives the primary leg and is secured to the primary leg between the proximal ends of the at least two secondary legs and the bottom end of the primary leg; and   at least two retention elements extending radially outwardly from the center body and configured to engage a respective secondary leg of the at least two secondary legs when the at least two secondary legs are in the retracted position.   
     
     
         15 . The cane of  claim 14 , wherein each retention element comprises a mounting clip that is configured to receive a portion of a respective secondary leg of the at least two secondary legs. 
     
     
         16 . The cane of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a connector assembly having:
 a connector body that defines an opening that receives the primary leg; and 
 at least two connector projections extending from the connector body; and 
   two sleeves that each receive and are secured to a proximal end of a respective secondary leg of the two secondary legs,   wherein each of the two sleeves is pivotably coupled to a respective connector projection of the at least two connector projections.   
     
     
         17 . The cane of  claim 16 , wherein the connector body is not axially translatable relative to a length of the primary leg. 
     
     
         18 . The cane of  claim 16 , wherein the connector body further comprises two stop elements, wherein each of the two stop elements overlies a respective connector projection and is configured to limit pivotal movement of a respective secondary leg relative to the connector projection. 
     
     
         19 . The cane of  claim 16 , wherein the two connector projections extend radially outwardly from the connector body. 
     
     
         20 . The cane of  claim 1 , further comprising an extension arm comprising first and second sections that are each pivotably coupled to respective distal ends of each secondary leg of the at least two secondary legs, wherein the first and second sections are pivotably coupled to each other.