CANE CLAMP THEREFOR

PINCE POUR CANNE

English Abstract

The cane clamp is a device that allows a cane temporary attachment to a
horizontal surface.
The main body has two paddles, both attached with pin joints. The lower paddle
acts like a
jaw that is driven by a spring. Both paddles have a spring located at the pin
joint. The lower
paddle spring holds the paddle flush to the main body while the upper paddle
spring holds
the paddle out and away from the main body. In the closed position, the top
paddle is
tucked beneath the bottom paddle and held flat and flush to the main body by
the bottom
paddle. When the bottom paddle is actuated, the top paddle is released and
flips up to a
horizontal position. A horizontal surface is then brought between the two
paddles and the
lower paddle is released, clamping on to the surface.

Claims

The Embodiments Of The Invention In Which An Exclusive Property Or Privilege
Is
Claimed Are Defined As Follows:

1. A clamp attachment for a cane, comprising:
two or more paddles that together act to clamp a horizontal surface;
a means to limit motion once attached to a surface;
a means to attach to varying diameter cylindrical objects;
a means to limit axial motion on a cylindrical object;
a means to provide rotary force to the paddles;
a means to use a finger to induce a rotary motion in a paddle.
2. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein there are two
paddles that
have limited rotary movement, each with a pinned joint, each with an applied
rotary force at the pinned joint, each with a
3. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein both paddles have a
pinned joint at one end.
4. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein both paddles have an

applied rotary force at the pinned joint through a torsion spring or similar
element, the bottom paddle being sprung in and towards the main body of the
device, the top paddle being sprung out and away from the device.
5. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein the spring force of
the
bottom paddle overcomes the spring force of the top paddle such that in a
closed condition, the bottom paddle tends to hold the top paddle in and
generally parallel to the main body of the device.
6. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein both paddles have
compliant element bonded to one surface, the bottom paddle has a compliant
element bonded to the tip that is ribbed in order to maximize surface area,
the
top paddle has a compliant element bonded to lower surface, together these
elements contact the surface that is being clamped.

7. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein the bottom paddle
has a
geometric feature, like a small hook, that allows a simple means to induce
rotary motion in the bottom paddle, allowing a user to easily rotate the
bottom
paddle.
8. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein the top paddle
springs out
once the bottom paddle is actuated to a certain angle, allowing the operator
to
position the top paddle on a horizontal surface and then release the bottom
paddle to clamp the surface in question.
9. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein the main body has
bores
top and bottom for accepting pins used to located and limit the motion of the
paddles.
10. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein the main body has
geometric features that limit the motion of the top paddle to no more than 90
degrees from the long axis of the main body.
11. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 1, wherein the main body has
geometry that allows the top paddle to nest into the main body.
12. A clamp attachment for a cane comprising;
a means to attach to a cylindrical object,
a means to tighten the clamp against the cylindrical object.
a means to limit axial motion once attached to the cylindrical object,
13. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 9, wherein the main body accepts
and
retains one or more straps that pull the body of the device tight to the cane
or
other cylindrical object.
14. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 11, wherein the straps are made
of
hook and loop material or similar self attaching material, the straps are
routed
in and around accepting features on the device and back around the perimeter
of the cylindrical object.
15. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 12, wherein the accepting
features
are part of the device itself, manufactured into the sides of the device.

16. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 12, wherein the accepting
features
are springs pins or similar removable dowel type axles.
17. The clamp attachment as defined in claim 9, wherein compliant elements are

attached to the rear, cylindrical surface of the device, thereby providing an
element that can deform and act like a spring once the strap is tightened,
acting
to limit axial motion of the device relative to the cylindrical object.
18. A method to temporarily attach a cane to a horizontal surface, comprising;
two paddles that act together to clamp a horizontal surface,
two paddles each of which transfers force through the spring elements into the

device and through the straps that hold the device onto the cylindrical
object,
hereby limiting motion of the cylindrical object.
two distinct positions; open and closed, wherein the open position refers to
the
position when both paddles are swung away from the main body and wherein
closed means the top paddle is held in and against the main body by the force
of the
bottom paddle and both paddles are parallel to the main body.

Description

CA 02816206 2013-05-08
Cane Clamp Therefor
Background Of The Invention
For those who rely on them, canes are recognized as an essential item for
walking safely.
Canes are used in every imaginable store and outing. As much as they are
needed while
walking, they are difficult to manage while seated or when you need both hands
free for a
different task. There have been several attempts to solve this problem, but no
flexible,
viable device has ever been engineered. A cane clamp needs to adjust
automatically to
varying thicknesses, fit equally well on different diameter canes, look good
when attached
to the cane and most importantly, be strong enough to hold the cane steady in
case the
clamping surface or cane itself is bumped.
Prior inventions did not take into account the mass of the cane, the need for
strength or the
need to automatically adjust to different surface thickness and types.
Prior art which is similar in approach or method is shown for reference below:
Citing Patent Filing Date Publication Applicant Title
Date
US201100179 Jun 20,2008 Oct 19, 2010 Cannata Golf ball
ill Joseph M proximity to hole
measurement
US8333358 Sep 24, 2009 Dec 18, 2012 Carnes Jim Fishing rod
holder device and
associated
methods
US201000723 Sep 24, 2009 Mar 25, 2010 Carnes Jim Fishing rod
33 holder device and
associated
methods
US201100179 Jul 1, 2010 Jan 27, 2011 Denburg Ina Cane holder
01
US201200977 Oct 24, 2010 Apr 26, 2012 Lee Robert Utility holder
for
mobility

CA 02816206 2013-05-08
assistance device
US2913797 Nov 18, 1957 Nov 24, 1959 Hollis Fastening device
Clinton R
US4300742 Aug 9, 1979 Nov 17,1981 Hunn; Cane holder
Douglas C.
US4334692 Oct 18, 1979 Jun 15, 1982 Lynch; Detachable
Marvin P. umbrella support
assembly for a
golf cart
US4741283 Nov 4, 1986 May 3, 1988 Conner; Ellis Boat securer
US4895330 Mar 13, 1989 Jan 23, 1990 Anstead; Cane holder
Richard F.
US4896465 Nov 18, 1988 Jan 30, 1990 Hauze; Retainer
Dennis R. apparatus
US5000418 Aug 22, 1989 Mar 19, 1991 Vogt; Walter Device for
temporarily
fixing a stick to a
support
US5249770 Aug 16, 1991 Oct 5, 1993 Louthan; Beverage
Connie S. container holder
US5295498 Feb 19, 1993 Mar 22, 1994 Van Meter; Device to aid
Larry E. persons rising
form a seated
position
1JS5316356 May 3, 1993 May 31, 1994 Nutting; Game dragging
Frederick S. device
US5857651 Dec 9, 1996 Jan 12, 1999 Kane Bow holding
Products, device
Inc.
US6138976 Mar 22, 1996 Oct 31, 2000 Fahringer, Fishing pole
Sr.; Stephen holder

CA 02816206 2013-05-08
A.
US6311942 Mar 4, 1999 Nov 6, 2001 Lenjoy Bedside cane
Engineering, holder
Inc.
US6502283 Sep 7, 2001 Jan 7, 2003 Aguirre Cane clip
Chuck J. attachment
US6691722 Jun 19, 2002 Feb 17, 2004 Brenda Walking cane
Allen holder apparatus
US6971612 Nov 18, 2003 Dec 6, 2005 Wilson- Baby bottle
Lowery holder
Veronica
US7021324 Sep 3, 2003 Apr 4, 2006 Clay Charles Walker with cane
holder and non-
catch castors
US200201526 Apr 17,2002 Oct 24, 2002 Harvanek Utility strap for
Daniel fishing
equipment
US200400205 Jul 31, 2002 Feb 5, 2004 Mcconnell Walking cane
24 Bernard E. retainer
1JS200500986 Nov 10, 2003 May 12, 2005 Hollenbeck Cane holder
95 Larry L.
US200602263 Feb 6, 2006 Oct 12, 2006 Beasley Walking aid
15 Betty retention device
USD418286 Jul 22, 1998 Jan 4, 2000 Crutch holder
US7422188B1 Sept 13, 2006 Sep 9, 2008 Harold L. Walking cane
Schlosser clamp

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Summary Of The Invention
The present invention provides a robust clamp that automatically adjusts to
different
surface thicknesses and types. The apparatus of the present invention
comprises a body,
two paddles, one spring pin axle and one dowel axle, two torsion springs, two
soft
elastomeric compliant patches, one hook and loop strap and two long, thin
elastomeric
compliant strips. The cane clamp has two distinct positions, open and closed.
In the closed
position, the bottom paddles holds the top paddle flush to the body by spring
force. The
user opens the clamp by rotating the lower paddle out and away from the main
body,
allowing the top paddle to spring out to a position that is perpendicular to
the main body of
the clamp. A horizontal surface is then placed between the two open paddles.
The lower
paddle is then released and the spring force provides a temporary, sturdy
attachment for
the cane.
Fig. 1 is an isometric view illustrating the preferred embodiment of the
invention with both
lower paddle and upper paddle shown open position, the upper paddles being
held against
the stops at an angle that is perpendicular to the main body and the lower
paddle held open
by a person against the spring force;
Fig. 2 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 3 is a side view showing the cane clamp in the closed position and
installed on a cane;
Fig. 4 is a side view showing the cane clamp in the open position and
installed on a cane;
Fig. 5 is a side view of the cane in the open position, installed on a cane
and clamped on a
countertop;
Fig. 6 is a side view showing with individual parts shown for reference;
Fig. 7 shows cross section A-A;
Fig. 8 shows cross section B-B;
Fig. 9 shows cross section C-C;

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Detailed Description Of The Invention
Reference Fig. 6 to 9 for all item numbers.
In the particularly advantageous embodiment illustrated, the cane clamp
consists of 12
individual parts as shown in figs. 6 through 9.
Fig 6. Illustrates the top paddle 2 and the top paddle compliant patch 3. Top
paddle
compliant patch 3 is bonded permanently to top paddle 2 and serves to increase
the
friction between the top paddle 2 and a clamping surface, such as a
countertop. The main
body 1 has a geometric feature such that the rotary travel of top paddle 2 is
limited in range
so that it cannot extend more than 90 degrees from the long axis of main body
1. This
allows the top paddle to sit flat and flush with the clamping surface and
inhibits the paddle
from extending beyond perpendicular. The bottom compliant patch 4 is bonded
permanently to the bottom paddle 5 and serves to increase friction when the
device is
clamped to a surface. Bottom compliant patch 4 also acts as a spring, with the
compliant tip
deforming and exerting a constant force upwards and into the countertop,
driven by the
force of the bottom torsion spring 10. The bottom paddle has a geometric
feature on the
outer edge which allows the user to easily rotate the bottom paddle down and
out. This is
formed to match the shape of a finger nicely.
The main body 1 has concentric holes on the top edge to allow for the pin
joint of the top
paddle 2. The upper torsion spring 8 sits in the center of the top paddle 2
and is nested and
covered by the top paddle 2. In the same region, at the top of the main body
1, there is a
hole for one end of the upper torsion spring 8. The other end of the upper
torsion spring 8
is placed inside the upper paddle 2 allowing the spring to provide a force
between the two
components, 2 and 1, in a clockwise direction when viewed from fig. 6.
The main body 1 has concentric holes on the bottom edge to allow for the pin
joint of the
bottom paddle. The lower torsion spring 10 sits in between these two holes and
is nested
and covered by the bottom paddle 5. In the same region, at the bottom of the
main body,
there is a hole for one side of the lower torsion spring 10. The other end of
the lower
torsion spring is placed inside the bottom paddle 5 allowing the spring to
provide a force

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between the two components, 5 and 1, in a counter-clockwise direction when
viewed from
fig. 6.
The main body has a cylindrical cut down the long axis on the rear with two
elastomeric
strips adhered or molded, 11 and 12, which are identical. The spacing and size
of these
strips allow for canes of 0.5" to 1" to remain in contact with the strips,
while the hook and
loop strap 6 holds the device onto the cane. These two strips are very
important to the
overall function of the device as they prevent axial and radial movement of
the device with
respect to the cane, ensuring the device stays in the spot it is placed at all
times.
Hook and loop strap 6 attaches to the main body 2 through the geometric shapes
of the
main body 1 which forms two slots. Strap 6 has a permanent loop in one end
which loops
around the geometric feature in the main case. The other end of strap 6 is
part hook and
part loop on the outer surface. The strap 6 then loops out around the cane and
back in and
through the other, identical geometric feature in main body 1, then coming
back around
and latching on itself over the cane, as shown in fig. 10.

Representative Drawing