Social Distancing Apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to a social distancing device to ensure people maintain a recommended social distance apart. The device is compact for ease in carrying when not in use, yet extendible to the recommended social distance, which in the case of COVID-19 was six feet. When in use, the device extends exactly the recommended social distance from the end of the handle to the tip of the device. Hence, a user can hold the device in one hand and ensure that no other person is closer than the tip of the device. By using the device, proper social distancing recommended by the government can be maintained.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A social distancing device, comprising:
 a handle portion, wherein the handle portion includes four indentations, a first end and a second end;   a tip portion, wherein the tip portion comprises a circular element having a first tip portion end and a second tip portion end; and   a middle portion coupled between the tip portion and the handle portion, wherein the middle portion comprises a plurality of pieces coupled together such that each piece has a different diameter, wherein the plurality of pieces are movable to extend to lengthen the middle portion and retract to shorten the middle portion, wherein each piece extends from a first position where more than fifty percent of a respective piece is contained within an adjacent piece and a second position where less than fifty percent of the respective piece is contained within the adjacent piece, wherein the social distance device has a length of exactly a recommended social distance from the first end to the first tip portion end when the middle portion is fully extended.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each indentation extends a distance of between about 0.1 inches and about 0.2 inches into the handle portion from an outer shell and wherein each indentation has a length of between about 0.5 inches and about 0.75 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a lanyard attachment mechanism coupled to the first end, wherein the lanyard attachment mechanism comprises a stem portion and a ring portion; and   a lanyard coupled to the lanyard attachment mechanism.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the outer shell comprises black foam, wherein the lanyard attachment mechanism comprises steel and/or aluminum, and wherein the lanyard comprises fabric. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the handle portion has a length of between about 4 inches and about 4.25 inches, wherein the handle portion has a width of between about 1 inch and about 1.25 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the circular element has a diameter of between about 0.3 inches and about 0.5 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the circular element comprises metal, plastic, or foam. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the middle portion comprises a first piece fixedly attached to the second end of the handle portion, and wherein the first piece has a length of between about 5.75 inches and about 6 inches and a diameter of between about 0.4 inches and about 0.6 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of pieces comprises a second piece coupled to the first piece, and wherein the second piece has a length of between about 8.5 inches and about 9 inches and a diameter of between about 0.4 inches and about 0.6 inches when fully extended. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of pieces comprises a third piece coupled to the second piece, and wherein the third piece has a length of between about 8.5 inches and about 9 inches and a diameter of between about 0.4 inches and about 0.6 inches when fully extended. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of pieces comprises a fourth piece coupled to the third piece, and wherein the fourth piece has a length of between about 8.5 inches and about 9 inches and a diameter of between about 0.4 inches and about 0.6 inches when fully extended. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of pieces comprises a fifth piece coupled to the fourth piece, and wherein the fifth piece has a length of between about 8.5 inches and about 9 inches and a diameter of between about 0.4 inches and about 0.6 inches when fully extended. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of pieces comprises a sixth piece coupled to the fifth piece, and wherein the sixth piece has a length of between about 8.5 inches and about 9 inches and a diameter of between about 0.3 inches and about 0.5 inches when fully extended. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of pieces comprises a seventh piece coupled to the sixth piece, wherein the seventh piece has a length of between about 8.5 inches and about 9 inches and a diameter of between about 0.3 inches and about 0.5 inches when fully extended, and wherein the seventh piece is coupled to the tip portion. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of pieces comprise metal or plastic.