Embodiments described herein relate generally to apparatuses and methods relating to mobility assist devices including, for example, walking canes. In some embodiments, a mobility assist device can include a wrist stabilizer and one or more exercising elements for enabling a user to perform torsion, rotation, grip, and/or other exercises.

An illuminated white cane is disclosed herein. The white cane has two translucent tubular sections which may contain a flexible illumination circuit. Each tubular section may have a red portion and a white portion, through which the illuminator circuit is able to transmit light. An elastic cord may pass through the two sections in parallel to the illuminator circuit, being anchored to a handle and handle core at one end, and a cane-tip bushing with a threaded retainer at the other end. The two tubular sections join with two bushings that are retained together by the tension of the elastic cord.

A vision impaired navigating assembly for guiding a visually impaired user while walking includes a cane that is gripped by a visually impaired user to assist the visually impaired user with walking. A biometric scanner is coupled to the cane to scan the visually impaired user's fingerprint. A first transceiver is integrated into the cane and the first transceiver is in wireless communication with a global positioning system (gps) for gps navigation. A second transceiver is integrated into the cane and the second transceiver is in wireless communication with a personal electronic device. A speaker is coupled to the cane to emit audible sounds outwardly therefrom related to gps navigation for guiding the visually impaired user.

Mobility assistive devices in the nature of canes, staffs or walking sticks are constructed with a bent or “dog-leg” shape so that an upper portion of the cane adjacent the handle extends forward in the direction of travel of the cane's user and is visible in her peripheral vision. The shape of the cane and the proprioceptive feedback from its motion convey more information to the user and allow more confident, efficient motion than a traditional straight cane or staff. Some embodiments include rotating joints to allow the cane to be folded when not in use.

A smart cane may include: a main body configured to have an adjustable length; an inertia sensor unit configured to generate an angle value between a ground surface and the smart cane or detect an impact on the main body; and a controller configured to adjust the length of the main body according to at least one of the angle value and a number of impacts on the main body.

A convertible hiking stick includes a handle extending along a center axis and a first leg and a second leg that couple to the handle and extend along the center axis. The hiking stick is convertible into a tripod such that the first leg is in a first bore of the handle, the second leg is in a second bore of the handle, the first leg extends transverse to the second leg, and the first leg, the second leg, and the handle together support the hiking stick with respect to a surface.

The present invention provides a foldable stick (10), in particular a sports stick (10). The foldable stick (1) includes a plurality of stick segments (12, 14, 16) and at least one tensioning mechanism (18, 20). The stick (10) is adjustable between an assembled configuration in which all stick segments (12, 14, 16) are joined aligned axially with one another, and a disassembled configuration in which the stick segments (12, 14, 16) are detached from one another and can be folded together. The tensioning mechanism (18, 20) is adapted to pretension the stick segments (12, 14, 16) into the assembled configuration of the stick (10).

A locking mechanism is adapted for a foldable pole including a pole body and an elastic drawstring disposed therein, and the pole body being composed of a plurality of pole sections foldably connected with each other through the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a connector and a connecting sleeve. The connecting sleeve is disposed on one end of adjacent two ends of two pole sections and the connector is disposed on another end of adjacent two ends of two pole sections. The connecting sleeve has a through hole for receiving the connector. An elastic buckle for locking the connector is disposed on the connecting sleeve. One end of the elastic buckle passes through the connecting sleeve and is inserted into the clamping groove of the connector. The locking sleeve is pressable against the elastic buckle so as to lock or unlock the connecting sleeve with the connector.

A ferrule connection interface may have a first composite ferrule having an outwardly threaded portion opposite a pole receiving portion. The interface may have a first pole bonded via an engineered adhesive to the first composite ferrule at the pole receiving portion of the first composite ferrule. The interface may also have a second composite ferrule having an inwardly threaded portion opposite a pole receiving portion, the inwardly threaded portion tightly meshing with the outwardly threaded portion of the first composite ferrule to form a tight connection. The interface may also have a second pole bonded via the engineered adhesive to the second composite ferrule at the pole receiving portion of the second composite ferrule. Both first and second composite ferrules are characterized by a lack of any metallic and/or electrically conductive materials.

A collapsible telescoping pole assembly provided comprising at least first, second and third elongated tubular members, the second and third tubular members being slidably received within the first and second tubular member, respectively, between retracted and extended positions. A first locking mechanism is associated with the distal end of the first tubular member for releasably securing the second tubular member within the first tubular member in its extended position. The first locking member is biased to a locked position and movable to an unlocked position by rotating the first locking mechanism relative to the first tubular member, causing the first locking mechanism to move axially in a distal direction to permit the second tubular member to slide freely within the first in tubular member. A second locking mechanism is associated with the distal end of the second tubular member for releasably securing the third tubular member within the second tubular member in its extended position. The second locking mechanism is biased to a locked position and movable to an unlocked position by axially moving the second locking mechanism relative to the second tubular member in a distal direction to permit the third tubular member to slide freely within the second tubular member.