ADJUSTABLE AXE

Abstract

Axes for mountaineering activities such as technical ice climbing, extreme mixed climbing, and dry-tooling are provided. Such axes may include a main body having a proximal portion connected to a handgrip and a distal portion connected to a tool, in which there is defined an axis X parallel to the vertical use plane of the axe, tangential to the outer end of the handgrip and the tip of the tool and intersecting the longitudinal axis (Y) of the handgrip and the longitudinal axis (Z) of the tool, so as to respectively form angles α and β, wherein said proximal portion of the main body is removably and adjustably connected to said handgrip, so as to modify the inclination of said handgrip according to said angle α, is provided.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and benefit of Italian Application Serial Number MI2010A002462 filed on Dec. 30, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to equipment for climbing, such as technical ice climbing, extreme mixed climbing, dry-tooling or other paths implying similar difficulty.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Progression on ice during excursion, mountaineering and sports activities frequently involves the use of axes having at one end a pick and at the other a handgrip.

Observable technical characteristics are represented by the robustness, lightness and efficiency on the various progression grounds: high technical degree ice, mixed (ice-rock) technical degree ice even with extreme difficulty and dry-tooling, in which climbing mainly occurs on rock, even indoor, on material reproducing the rock and ice condition and using the tools typical of progression on ice.

Thus, there are currently known—for progression on different routes—axes having a structure and different characteristics right due to the contingent need regarding the path or the specific technical difficulty thereof.

In particular, the inclination of the handgrip and of the blade with respect to the plane of use, is a very important characteristic.

For ice climbing, tools are typically used having a maximum inclination of the handgrip of 45° and of the blade of about 100°, calculated with respect to the vertical of the wall.

In contrast, for use in dry-tooling or in competitions axes are used which have a more reclined handgrip, between 55°-60° and a blade more inclined downwards with respect to the vertical of the wall to be climbed, so as to guarantee better hooking.

Therefore, an alpinist desiring to tackle routes having different characteristics generally uses a tool that is specific and adapted to each path.

However, this is quite inconvenient both from an economic and logistic point of view.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the problem of having a specific axe for each route by providing an axe that can be adapted to different conditions (e.g., technical ice-climbing, extreme mixed climbing and dry-tooling).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 represents two embodiments of an axe according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded detail of the axes shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a sectional lateral view of the handgrip of the axe of the invention, in two different operative positions;

FIG. 3A shows an exploded lateral view of the handgrip of an axe in one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3B shows a lateral view of a detail of the handgrip of FIG. 3A in operative condition;

FIG. 3C shows a lateral view of the detail of FIG. 3B according to a variant;

FIG. 4 represents a lateral view of inserts used in embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a detail of a handgrip;

FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of further details;

FIG. 6B shows a lateral view of the details of FIG. 6A mounted on an axe according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the figures and in the following description, an axe according to the present invention is indicated with reference 1.

In particular, in embodiments of the present invention the axe 1 may comprise a main body 2 having a proximal portion 3 connected to a handgrip 6 and a distal portion 4 connected to a tool 5.

The “proximal” and “distal” relative positions, regarding the main body 2, shall be considered with reference to the handgrip 6.

The tool 5 may be represented by a blade or pick, for facilitating the hooking to the progression support, for example ice, rock or wood. The tool 5 may develop around a main axis Z, also referred to as longitudinal axis of the tool 5.

The handgrip 6 may be connected to the proximal portion 3 of the main body 2 removably and adjustably and may develop according to a main axis Y, also referred to as longitudinal axis of the handgrip.

There is also defined an axis X parallel to the vertical use plane of the axe (see FIG. 1), tangential to the outer end of the handgrip 6 and the tip of the tool 5 and intersecting the longitudinal axis Y of the handgrip 6 and the longitudinal axis Z of the tool 5, so as to respectively form angles α and β.

The shape, length, width, thickness and profile of the tool may be determined by specific needs, as well as by the characteristics and difficulty of the intended use.

The handgrip 6, as represented in FIG. 2, may comprise a core 6a, generally made of metal or metal or carbon alloy, having—at the two ends—arched profiles 6′, 6″ defining a grip space 7 therebetween.

The end 9 of the core 6a, proximal with respect to the point for connection with the main body 2 of the axe 1, may comprise a perforated plate 9a having, along a part of the perimeter thereof, a convex shaped toothed section 9b.

As mentioned above, the proximal portion 3 of the body of the axe may be removably connected to the handgrip 6.

In particular, according to what is illustrated in FIG. 2, the proximal portion 3 of an axe may comprise connection means 7 for the removable connection with said handgrip 6.

The connection means 7 may comprise a perforated plate 8 having along a portion of the perimeter thereof a relief profile 8a having a concave shaped toothed section 8b defining a plurality of recesses having a shape complementary to the teeth of the toothed section 9b associated to the handgrip 6. The toothed section 8b of the main body 2 of the axe 1 is thus intended to be shape-coupled to the toothed section 9b associated to the perforated plate 9a of the handgrip 6.

Thus, between the proximal portion 3 of the main body 2 of the axe 1 and the proximal end 9 of the handgrip 6, there may be introduced the mechanical coupling of the male-female type. Thus, the two perforated plates 8, 9a are made to coincide, by aligning the respective holes.

Said removable coupling may be suitably fixed, for example, by means of a screw-nut system inserted in said aligned holes of the plates 8, 9a. However, there are other possible types of removable couplings, such as, for example, a fitting system, a snap-coupling system or the like.

According one embodiment of the present invention, the toothed section 8b of the connection means 7 of the proximal portion 3 of the main body 2 of the axe has a greater number of recesses with respect to the number of teeth constituting the toothed section 9b associated to the handgrip 6.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, in which the number of recesses may be one more than the number of teeth, there may be provided at least two different relative positions between the body of the axe and the handgrip, so as to modify the inclination of said handgrip 6 according to said angle α.

On the contrary, if the difference between the number of recesses and of teeth shall be two, there may be provided for three adjustment positions, and so on and so forth.

The angular distance between two adjacent teeth geometrically defines the angular adjustment of the handgrip 6 with respect to the main body 2 of the axe 1, thus the angle α as defined above, as well as, as a consequence, the angle β between the axes X and Z.

Therefore, the axe of the present invention advantageously allows for the transition between one conformation, for example that of FIG. 2A, to another, for example that of FIG. 2B, characterized by a different inclination of the handgrip and of the blade.

The passage from one configuration to another may be easily and rapidly obtained by unfastening the screw-nut system so as to disconnect the handgrip 6 from the main body 2 of the axe 1, repositioning the handgrip 6 according to a different coupling configuration of the notched systems 8a, 9b and fastening the entirety for fixing the two parts mutually.

Hence, the present invention provides, inter alia, an axe in which it is possible to modify the inclination, defined as angle α in FIG. 1, of the handgrip with respect to axis X of the axe.

For example, it will be possible to place the tool in an ICE conformation (FIG. 1 on the left), in which the angle α is of about 48°.

This in turn determines an inclination of the blade defined by an angle β of about 100°. Advantageously, such geometry is particularly adapted for use on ice, providing quite a natural abutment, given its near perpendicular configuration.

On the contrary, in the case in which the tool should be used in extreme conditions, i.e. particularly difficult techniques characterized by high inclinations or during a competition, the position of the handgrip may be modified so as to obtain an angle α of about 60°.

Hence, the angle β with the axis Z is about 105°, more suitable for use during competition, a mixed path or on dry-tooling, in which there is required the optimization on the grip of the tool when the athlete is offground.

According to an aspect of the invention, in order to protect the core 6a from external agents, as well as facilitate the grip and thus improve the manoeuvrability, the core 6a may be covered through moulding or die-casting with a handgrip profile 6b, typically made of plastic material; in turn, the plastic is totally or even only partly coated with rubber to make the handgrip more anatomic and comfortable.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the grip space 7 of the core 6a has an ergonomic shape and comprises, at intermediate position between the proximal end 9 and the opposite end and in proximity of the internal edge of the grip space 7, a through hole 10.

The through hole 10 may be arranged in an approached position with respect to the proximal end 9 of the handgrip 6, so that the distance separating the hole 10 from such end is less (for example, about one third) than the distance between the hole 10 and the opposite end of the handgrip 6. Such position may be selected so that the hole 10 is located about the separation point between the forefinger and middle finger of the user's hand and it may thus vary during the design step as a function of an accurate ergonomic study.

In such embodiment, the handgrip profile 6b may be interrupted, along the internal edge of the grip space 7, at the through hole 10, so as to create a U-shaped seat 11 in which a core portion 6a remains exposed (as shown in FIG. 3A).

Said seat 11 is intended to house an insert 12, 12′ having a complementary shaped surface. The inserts 12, 12′ may develop around a longitudinal axis K and comprise a coupling portion 14a, adapted to be housed in the seat 11, and a separation portion 14b having a more or less elongated shape with respect to said axis K.

The insert 12, 12′ may be internally provided, in its portion for coupling 14a with the seat 11, with a slot, so that it is placed astride the exposed core portion 6a.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the insert 12, 12′ has—on one side—a hole 13 (not shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C), which may be aligned with the through hole 10 of the core 6a and adapted to house the removably connecting and fastening means with seat 11, typically a fastening screw. However, a different form of coupling may be provided between the insert 12, 12′ and seat 11, for example a fit-coupling, a snap-coupling or the like. In such cases, the hole 10 in the seat 11 and the hole 13 in the insert 12, 12′ may be omitted.

Thus, with the insertion of an insert 12, 12′ in said seat 11, the grip space 7 may be divided, with reference to the proximal end 9 of the handgrip 6, in a proximal portion 7′ and a distal portion 7″ (as observable in FIGS. 1 and 3A).

Therefore, when one grips such embodiments of the present invention, such distal portion 7″ of the grip space 7 may comfortably house the little finger, the ring finger and the middle finger of the user, while the proximal portion 7′ may comfortably house the forefinger.

Thus, the user may advantageously maintain the grip of the tool more firmly, thus optimizing the use during rapid and lengthy ascents.

Examples of inserts 12, 12′ that may be inserted in the seat 11, and representing a further object of the present invention, are represented in FIGS. 3B, 3C and 4.

The choice of the different length of the separation portion 14b depends on the needs of the user, the size of the hand thereof and from the feeling of greater or lesser comfort desired.

In the insert 12′ shown in FIGS. 3C and 4, the separation portion 14b may be asymmetrically shaped in that it may have a smaller width with respect to the coupling portion 14a and may develop along a parallel but offset direction with respect to the axis K. Thus, depending on whether it is mounted as shown in FIG. 3C or in front-rear position (in this case the hole 13 would be arranged at the front part with respect to the view of the FIG. 3C), the separation point between the forefinger and the other fingers of the hand may be slightly modified. Also this function increases the comfort for the user, showing the versatility of embodiments of the present invention.

Hence, each insert 12, 12′ may be inserted in two different positions in the seat 11, suitably rotating the insert 12 around the axis K.

Because of these characteristics, the handgrip of the axe of the present invention may be modulated in an extremely personalized manner and while maintaining extreme comfort.

A further aspect of the present invention is represented in the FIG. 5.

According to such embodiment, the grip space 7 of the handgrip 6 may be reduced so as to adapt it to a hand of small dimensions. Such result may be obtained by use of, for example, a dowel 15 which may be associated, for example, by fitting it to the grip space 7 in proximity to the distal end of the handgrip.

Said dowel 15 may comprise a support surface 15a for the user's hand, profiled so as to arrange it astride the handgrip 6, and a support element 15b, intended to end up in abutment with the arched profile 6″ of the handgrip 6.

Such dowel 15 may be made of any suitable material such as rubber.

The dowel 15 may be used to shorten the length of the grip space 7, adapting it to the dimension of the user's hand.

Thus, advantageously, the axe of the present invention may be used effortlessly by a user with smaller hands, such as for example, a young man or a woman.

With reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, in certain embodiments the axe 1 may comprise a grip element 16, intended to be positioned along the main body 2 of the axe 1 and has the function of supplementary support for the hand or alternatively the function of the insert 12, 12′ described above, i.e. that of facilitating the handgrip of the axe being arranged between the forefinger and middle finger of the user's hand. It is thus important that this grip element 16 be capable of being arranged in any position along the main body 2 of the axe, depending on the preference or particular needs of the climber.

For this purpose, the grip element 16 may comprise a portion 17 for fastening to the main body of the axe 1, being shaped as an open ring following the cross-section profile of the main body 2.

At the open ends of the fastening portion 17 there may protrude two tongues 18a, 18b having complementary surfaces 20 for mutual coupling. The first tongue 18a is provided with a tooth 19 arranged on the surface 20, to which there will correspond a complementary seat (not shown) on the surface of the second tongue 18b faced thereto.

The first tongue 18a also may comprise a through hole 21 perpendicular to the surface 20, intended to house fastening means 22, typically a screw, allowing for the closing of the fastening portion 17 around the main body 2 of the axe strongly enough to keep it firmly in the desired position. Thus, the two tongues 18a, 18b may be fitted, thus forming an actual grip portion 18 of the grip element 16.

From what has been described above it can be appreciated how embodiments of the present invention overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. Axes according to the present invention are extremely versatile and adaptable to different situations of use, thus providing robustness and lightness characteristics.

Embodiments disclosed above may be subjected to numerous modifications, adaptations and replacement of elements with others functionally equivalent with the aim of meeting contingent and specific needs, without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.

Claims

1. An axe for mountaineering activities comprising, a main body having a proximal portion connected to a handgrip and a distal portion connected to a tool,

2. The axe of claim 1, wherein said tool is a blade or pick.

3. The axe of claim 1, wherein said handgrip comprises a core having at the two ends arched profiles defining a grip space therebetween.

4. The axe of claim 3, wherein the end of the core proximal with respect to the point for connection with the main body of the axe, comprises a perforated plate having, along a part of the perimeter thereof, a convex shaped toothed section.

5. The axe of claim 1, wherein said proximal portion of the main body of the axe comprises connection means for removably and adjustably connecting to said handgrip.

6. The axe of claim 5, wherein said connection means comprise a perforated plate having along a portion of the perimeter thereof a relief profile having a concave shaped toothed section defining a plurality of recesses having a shape complementary to the teeth of the toothed section associated with the handgrip.

7. The axe of claim 6, wherein said toothed section connection means of the proximal portion of the main body of the axe comprises a greater number of recesses with respect to the number of teeth constituting the toothed section associated with the handgrip.

8. The axe of claim 3, wherein said core is covered with a handgrip profile.

9. The axe of claim 8, wherein said handgrip profile is interrupted at an intermediate position along the edge of the grip space, so as to create a seat in which a core portion remains exposed.

10. The axe of claim 9, wherein said seat is houses an insert having a complementary shaped surface.

11. The axe of claim 10, wherein said insert develops around a longitudinal axis (K) and comprises a coupling portion, adapted to be housed in the seat, and a separation portion having a substantially elongated shape with respect to said axis (K).

12. The axe of claim 9, wherein said seat is arranged in an approached position with respect to the proximal end of the handgrip, so that the distance separating the seat from such end is less than the distance between the seat and the opposite end of the handgrip, so that the seat is located about the separation point between the forefinger and middle finger of a user's hand.

13. The axe of claim 9, wherein said grip space of the core comprises, at said seat, a through hole.

14. The axe of claim 10, wherein said insert is internally provided, in its portion for coupling with the seat, with a slot, so that it is placed astride the exposed core portion.

15. The axe of claim 10, wherein said insert has on one side a hole, intended to be placed aligned with the through hole of the core and adapted to house the removably connecting and fastening means with the seat.

16. The axe of claim 10, wherein said insert comprises an asymmetrically shaped separating portion having a smaller width with respect to the coupling portion and developing along a parallel but offset direction with respect to the axis (K).

17. The axe of claim 1, comprising a dowel associated with the grip space, in proximity of the distal end of the handgrip.

18. The axe of claim 17, wherein said dowel comprises a support surface for the user's hand and a support element, capable of abutment with the arched profile of the handgrip.

19. The axe of claim 1, comprising a grip element, adapted for positioning along the main body of the axe and having a portion for fastening to the main body, said fastening portion being shaped as an open ring, following the cross-section profile of the main body, and two tongues, placed at the open ends of the fastening portion, having complementary surfaces for mutual coupling.

20. The axe of claim 19, wherein said first tongue comprises a tooth arranged on the surface, to which a complementary seat on the surface of the second tongue facing said first tongue will correspond.

21. The axe of claim 19, wherein said first tongue comprises a through hole perpendicular to the surface, adapted for housing fastening means allowing closing of the fastening portion around the main body of the axe strongly enough to keep it firmly in the desired position.