To Fame and Fortune by Raising Cane

A little tender loving care can sometimes go a long way, But when provided by the father and son team of Mitchell, '50 (11), and James, PhD  '75 (11), Hannoosh, the TLC took the form of a brilliantly simple invention that not only aided a family member, but has the potential to help scores of disabled  people.

Their career as inventors was triggered by a serious car accident in 1991 that left Eleanor Hannoosh dependent on a cane while she  regained her ability to walk. While attending his wife's rehabilitation  sessions, Mitchell watched patients become increasingly frustrated as they continuously dropped their canes. He envisioned a designed a cane based on a  bottom- weighted device. At the bottom of the cane is a rubber pad that absorbs  shock and prevents slipping. On top of the rubber pad is a metal weight that has  wires curving outward and upward and then back inward to the cane's shaft. When  the cane is disturbed from its vertical position, the force of gravity acts  through the center of mass and causes the cane to roll on the surface created by two adjacent wires and return to its upright position.

After building a prototype, father and son filed for a patent, which was granted in 1994. Jim then fine-tuned the cane so that it could be mass manufactured.

The  invention began to take off in 1995. First, the Hannooshes won the grand prize  in an invention contest sponsored by Hammacher Schlemmer, the catalogue company. Not only did they receive a cash prize and trophy, but  they may also sell their product through the catalogue. Later in that year, they  exhibited the cane at the Inventors Exposition at Epcot Center in Orlando, Fla., and won one of five awards for outstanding creativity. Shortly thereafter, they received a trademark.

The pair have named their company Raising  Canes^®, and hope to market their product, which will retail for  approximately $100, in early 1996. Further information is available from Jim by phone at (860) 675-4708; fax at (860) 675-4710; or e-mail.

by STEPHANiE V.  GREPO