Patent Grant
9609925
This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2012/051887 filed Feb. 3, 2012, claiming priority based on Swiss Patent Application No. 00218/11 filed Feb. 4, 2011, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
The present invention relates to the field of poles for hiking, Nordic walking and also in the broadest sense for other types of sports such as cross-country skiing or alpine skiing, mountaineering etc.
Pole designs which are adjustable in their length are known in particular but not exclusively from the field of hiking or Nordic walking. The adjustability can be used on the one hand so that the length of the pole can be adjusted matched to the requirements and on the other hand, to reduce the pole to a pack size which is as small as possible, i.e. to configure the length to be reducible in such a manner that the pole can be stowed, for example, in a rucksack or similar. Such designs in which so-called inner pipes having a small diameter are mounted displaceably in an outer pipe having a somewhat larger diameter and in which the relative position of the pipe sections can be fixed by a fixing mechanism are known, for example, from DE 297 06 849 or from DE 497 08 829 or EP 1 450 906.
When using such designs, it is essential that the individual pipe sections have different diameters and it must additionally be ensured that the pipes can also be displaced really extensively into one another in particular in order that the small pack size can be achieved.
It can therefore occur that the pole becomes very thin, in particular in the lower region where the thinnest pipe is typically disposed, and thus for some applications no longer has sufficient intrinsic stiffness, in addition the designs disclosed in these documents are frequently not very much welcomed by the user since the relative position of the individual pole pipe sections must be ensured by twisting these pole pipe sections relative to one another for which appropriate turning forces to be applied manually are required.
Alternative mechanisms in which the relative fixing of the axial position of different pipe sections is not achieved by an interior fixing mechanism are, for example, known from WO 2010/085905 or also from DE 694 01 765 or EP 1 217 224 or EP 098 898, these external designs are however frequently not suitable for mounting more than two pole pipes displaceably into one another with the result that a sufficiently small pack size is not obtained.
It is accordingly inter alia an object of the present invention to provide a constructively simple and therefore robust folding pole which can be folded as small as possible, for example, in order to be stored in a rucksack or a bag.
This object is solved by a folding pole having the features of claim 1.
Specifically the invention is in particular concerned with improving a folding pole having at least three, typically however at least or precisely four pipe sections, where the pipe sections are connected to each other by means of plug-in connections whilst aligned along the pole axis in the assembled state of the folding pole, and at least two or typically at least three or precisely three pipe sections are still connected to each other by means of a movable connecting element, normally in the form of a tension cable, in the folded state.
Typically a pole handle is fastened to an uppermost pipe section and a pole tip is arranged on a lowermost pipe section. In particular but not exclusively the invention is concerned with the improvement of those designs in which the pole handle and/or the pole tip are configured asymmetrically and where the relative rotational position of the pipe sections is therefore relevant.
The invention is in particular either characterised in that at least one of the plug-in connections is achieved by means of an external clamping mechanism, in which the clamping mechanism is fastened to a first pipe section, and in which a second pipe section, which has an outside diameter smaller than or approximately equal to the inside diameter of the first pipe section, and which is supported in the first pipe section so as to be movable itself, can be fixed in the relative axial position by the external clamping mechanism. Or the invention is characterised in that at least one of the plug-in connections is achieved by means of a positive snap-in locking device on the second pipe section, wherein the second pipe section has an outside diameter smaller than or approximately equal to the inside diameter of a first pipe section and can be slid into the first pipe section and can be fixed in the relative axial position by the positive snap-in locking device.
The design according to the invention is furthermore preferably characterised in that the further plug-in connections are configured as pure plug-in connections, in which pipe sections are fixed only in an axial direction in the connected state.
The design according to the invention is furthermore preferably characterised in that the pipe sections are connected to each other by means of at least one tension cable, which is fastened to the lowermost pipe section and is fastened to the uppermost pipe section and which is arranged so as to pass through the interior of the at least two middle pipe sections.
This has the result that the folding pole is configured in such a manner that the folding pole can be transferred from the folded state to the assembled state by connecting the further plug-in connections and then, with the external clamping mechanism released or with the positive snap-in locking device released, pulling the second pipe section out of the first pipe section until the tension cable is under tension, and then fixing the external clamping mechanism or the positive snap-in locking device.
In other words, such a folding pole is normally not configured to be adjustable in its length for use when it has an external clamping mechanism as described above except that the length of the tension cable or the fastening on the tension cable on the respective terminal pipe section is configured to be variable for its part.
The tension cable is used to a certain extent in such a manner that it clamps the lowermost pipe section in the axial direction in relation to the uppermost pipe section and therefore in other words fixes the further plug-in connections, which are only fixed with respect to one another in one axial direction, with respect to one another in the other axial direction. This therefore results in a simple and very robust design which, for example, allows the lower pipe sections which can be connected to one another by means of these further plug connections to be achieved with the same pipe diameters. In contrast to designs in which all the pipe sections are mounted displaceably relatively to one another and inserted into one another, the proposed design therefore also allows designs in which actually, for example, only the uppermost two pipe sections must be configured with different diameters so that the external clamping mechanism can be achieved, but the other pipe sections can have the same diameter. Thus, the material and production costs can be reduced, and in particular the optimal diameter can be used for all lower pipe sections. Whereas otherwise particularly in the lowermost section this results in an inadequate pipe cross-section for many applications, in the present design this is not the case as a result of the plug-in connections. Nevertheless, as is usually also preferred, for example, the lowermost pipe section can naturally be configured to be double-butted.
A first preferred embodiment is characterised in that the first pipe section is the uppermost pipe section and that the second pipe section is the first adjoining middle pipe section downwards. This enables a particularly easy handling, especially as in this design the uppermost pipe sections is then typically that having the largest diameter and the clamping mechanism far above, which then gives an ideal weight distribution along the pole axis. In the case of a positive snap-in locking device for the cable tension, the first pipe section is preferably the uppermost or second uppermost pipe section and the second pipe section is the first adjoining middle pipe section downwards. According to a preferred embodiment, the snap-in locking device preferably comprises a spring-loaded radial locking pin which is preferably held against the action of a spring penetrating in a radial through hole of the second pipe section. The spring element is preferably a leaf spring, e.g. a spring plate to the first end of which the locking pin is advantageously fastened, e.g. riveted. In this case, the second end of the leaf spring preferably projects in a self-restraining manner in a channel of a terminating pin disposed along the pole longitudinal axis. The self-restraint is achieved, for example, by means of a barbed hook which in the case of a spring plate, is disposed at the second end thereof. However, the end of the leaf spring can also be connected to the terminating pin by a different type of fastening or embedded therein. This can be achieved, for example, by overmoulding the leaf spring with the material of the terminating pin or by gluing the leaf spring into the channel provided. The terminating pin is preferably held in the upper section of the second pipe section. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the terminating pin is pushed with its head into the first pipe section and fastened and has a collar which rests on the upper end of the second pipe section. Preferably, the neck of the terminating pin adjoining the collar at the bottom is pushed into the second pipe section in the overlap region of the first and second pipe section.
A further preferred embodiment is characterised in that the further plug-in connections are configured in such a manner that they are secured in the axial stop position against a relative twisting of the associated pipe sections about the pole axis, preferably by ensuring a positive connection with respect to twisting, which furthermore preferably locks automatically when the plug-in connections are pushed together. This is particularly important when, for example, the pole tip and the pole handle are both configured asymmetrically, i.e. are each configured specifically in the running direction. If plug-in connections are not configured symmetrically and therefore secured against any relative twisting, it cannot be excluded that during use or when the tension on the tension cable is inadequate, the lower plugged-in pipe sections will twist with respect to one another. This is extremely unpleasant for use. In other words, it is ensured by means of this rotationally fixed configuration that the lower pipe sections are secured against rotation relative to one another when they are in the axial stop. The correct relative rotational position of pole tip and pole handle is then set in this design during assembly whereby this rotational position is set correctly when fixing the external clamping mechanism when the tension cable is under tension, i.e. by fixing the rotational position from the uppermost to the second uppermost pipe.
Such a positive connection can be ensured, for example, whereby in the axial stop position, regions of the two connected pipe sections coming in contact are configured asymmetrically about the pole axis where the regions coming in contact preferably comprise substantially axially directed stop faces and/or regions of the plug-in connection coming in contact in the radial direction.
The positive connection can preferably be achieved whereby axially directed stop faces are correspondingly toothed, corrugated, bevelled and/or configured with a transverse pin engaging in one or more grooves.
A further preferred embodiment is characterised in that the pipe sections are dimensioned in such a manner (in particular with regard to length but also in particular with regard to possible insertion depth of the second uppermost pipe section in the uppermost pipe section) that in the assembled state the uppermost middle pipe section can be inserted substantially completely or only apart from a short section into the uppermost pipe section. In the assembled state this results in a situation in which in the case of a folding pole having four pipe sections, the uppermost two are almost completely pushed into one another and the lower two can be arranged loosely and only connected to one another by means of the tension cable, in addition to a certain extent in a zigzag. This results in a minimally small pack size.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the tension cable is fastened to the lowermost pipe section and/or to the uppermost pipe section, by providing an axially fixed retaining element (typically a fastening pin) to which the tension cable is fastened (or is brought into axial contact with this element in the clamped state). This fastening is preferably variable for an adjustable length of the folding pole, whereby this is achieved, for example, by means of a detachable knot (or a terminating pin, a terminating pearl or similar) which is brought into contact with the retaining element in the axial direction in the assembled state. Alternatively it is possible to achieve an adjustable length of the folding pole whereby the length of the tension cable in the middle region is configured to be adjustable.
A further preferred embodiment of the design according to the invention is characterised in that the fastening of the tension cable on the retaining element is configured to be elastically spring-mounted, preferably by providing a spring or an elastic element, e.g. therefore a spiral spring in or on the retaining element, through the interior whereof the tension cable is disposed to run. This spring-mounted configuration has the advantage that the axial tension of the tension cable which is built up during the fixing of the external clamping mechanism is maintained reliably for a long time and does not decrease, for example, when the uppermost two pipe sections are displaced slightly into one another in their relative axial position.
Substantially the same effect can be produced by configuring the tension cable to be somewhat elastic at least in sections, preferably over the entire length in the longitudinal direction.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the retaining element comprises a closure element which can be fixed detachably in the upper end of the retaining element. The closure part preferably has an axial through opening for the tension cable.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the closure element, which is preferably formed from plastic has a head section and a neck section, where the neck section can preferably be inserted into the upper end of the retaining element, can be screwed in by means of an external threaded hole or can be plugged and locked against rotation by means of a bayonet closure. To this end the retaining element preferably has an inner threaded hole in its upper region. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the closure element is disposed axially above the spiral spring. A guide element as a stop element is preferably disposed between spiral spring and closure element, which rests with a radial flange on the spiral spring and projects with an axial guide section into the spiral spring. The radial flange of the stop element here serves the closure element as a clear stop or contact surface. The lower cable connection, i.e. the tension cable fastened at the bottom together with guide elements, spiral spring and closure element in this way forms a unit which is easy for the user to remove from the pole pipe. In order to replace the cable, the user releases the closure element from the retaining element, removes the said unit and releases the knot at the lower end of the tension cable. The cable can thus be pulled out from above, preferably through the handle head. A further preferred embodiment of the folding pole proposed here is characterised in that the further plug-in connections are configured in such a manner that on one pipe section they have a guide pin provided with an axially running central through opening for the tension cable (preferably one-piece, consisting of plastic), which is firmly fastened in this pipe section with a fastening section and axially opposite thereto has a pin region which can be slid into the other pipe section, where between fastening section and pin region there is provided a preferably radially circumferential outwardly directed contact flange which in the assembled state is brought into axial contact with the pipe end of the other pipe section and/or with a pipe closure sleeve provided thereon, where preferably this axial stop is configured asymmetrically about the pole axis and/or wherein further preferably the pin region has an at least partially conically tapering region at its end facing the other pipe section.
As already mentioned initially, the proposed design is particularly of great advantage when the pole tip is configured asymmetrically, preferably by fastening a damping buffer which is asymmetric relative to the pole axis or alternatively an asymmetric terminating plate (see in particular Nordic sports applications) in a manner secured against rotation to the pole tip and/or by configuring the pole handle to be asymmetric relative to the pole axis.
The pole handle can generally preferably comprise an asymmetric pole handle which, for example, has a hook-like device for fastening a hand holding device, in particular in the form of a hand loop or a glove, where in the region of the hook-like device displaceable or twistable engaging means are disposed in such a manner that a substantially loop-, ring- or eye-shaped device slid into the hook-like device from above, which is provided on the hand holding device, is fixed in a self-engaging manner in the hook-like device, where preferably the hook-like device is disposed on the pole handle on the hand side in the upper region, and where further preferably the hook-like device comprises a retaining mandrel or retaining pin disposed substantially parallel to the pole axis, which is offset from the handle body to form an insertion slot to the hand side or is disposed as an incision in the handle body, where the depth of the insertion slot is preferably greater than the width and the thickness of the retaining mandrel or retaining pin. Specifically in other words this can particularly preferably comprise a pole handle as disclosed in WO 2006/066423. With regard to the pole handle, the disclosure of this document is expressly included in the disclosure content of this document.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the pole handle is configured ergonomically, for example, as disclosed in EP 2 168 641. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment the pole handle has a cover on its handle head which can be removed. The handle head preferably has an axial through opening at its lower end, through which the upper end of the tension cable projects into the handle head. The upper cable connection can, for example, be configured by knotting the upper end of the tension cable. By removing the cover, the user can access the upper end of the tension cable and pull the tension cable from the pole without the pole handle needing to be dismantled.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the asymmetric pole tip comprises a tip body and a buffer, where the tip body and/or the lowermost section of the pole body are disposed to pass through a central opening of the buffer and where the buffer is displaceably mounted in an axial direction to the pole body in this central opening such that it can be fixed and where the buffer can be fixed in at least two axially different positions by means of a positive connection in relation to the pole body, where preferably the tip body has a latching link in which latching link a latching body mounted in the buffer can engage positively for fixing the axial position and the latching body is mounted pivotably and/or displaceably and/or fixedly in or on the buffer and where particularly preferably the latching body is configured in the form of a latching lever which is hinged on the outer side, where the latching lever is hinged on the outer sleeve with its lower end facing the asymmetric rolling surface of the buffer and with its upper end in the fixed position of the buffer at least partially positively embraces the pole pipe and/or an inner sleeve and can be pivoted away from an outer sleeve for releasing. Specifically in other words this can comprise a pole tip designed specifically for Nordic walking application, for example, one such as is described in WO 2008/037098. With regard to the configuration of the pole tip, the disclosure of this document is expressly included in the disclosure content of this application.
A further preferred embodiment of such a folding pole is characterised in that in the case of an external clamping mechanism, the external clamping device comprises a plastic sleeve which substantially directly embraces the pipe section at least in an axial section and clamps in the closed state, where the plastic sleeve at least in the region gripping the pipe section has at least one slot making the circumference of the plastic sleeve variable in this region and is configured to be substantially circumferential in the remaining axial region, where respectively one projection is disposed on the plastic sleeve on both sides of this slot, where these projections have a coaxial through opening disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis of the pipe section, through which a transverse pin grips, which pin has a stop on the outer side of the second projection and which, on the outer side of the first projection, has an axis of rotation for a clamping lever disposed perpendicular to the axis of the transverse pin and parallel to the axis of the pipe section, where the clamping lever has a lever arm which, when the clamping device is closed, embraces the plastic sleeve at least partially and where the clamping lever has an eccentric rolling region about the axis of rotation by which means the distance between the stop and a mating surface for clamping disposed on the outer side of the first projection can be reduced by pivoting the clamping lever into the closed position, where preferably the mating surface is configured in the form of a metal element disposed at least partially in the first projection in a recess and wherein further preferably the mating surface is configured as a flat surface or as a concave surface whose radius of curvature is substantially adapted to the radius of curvature of the rolling region and where further preferably the plastic sleeve has in its upper section at least two, preferably at least three axially running slots, where at least one of these slots is disposed between the two projections and preferably these slots are distributed uniformly around the circumference and/or wherein further preferably the said stop is configured to be adjustable, where preferably the stop is configured with a thread and the transverse pin is configured with a counterthread and the stop is configured as a nut or screw, preferably with a circumferential toothed structure and/or a comb and/or a groove for engagement of an adjusting tool. In other words, this can preferably comprise a clamping mechanism such as is disposed, for example, in WO 2010/085905. The disclosure of this document with respect to the clamping mechanism is expressly included in the disclosure content of this application.
If the folding pole has a positive snap-in locking device for the cable tension instead of an external clamping mechanism, the pole can be configured to be completely length-adjustable. The length adjusting mechanism can be an external clamping mechanism acting by means of force fit as described in the preceding section. Preferably the clamping mechanism is used for the telescopic length adjustment of the second pipe section and to this end is fastened on the first pipe section. Preferably the lower middle pipe section is configured to be adjustable in length. If the folding pole is configured to be adjustable in length, it preferably has an additional pipe section, preferably at the top adjoining the first pipe section to which the pole handle is fastened, where the external clamping mechanism is fastened to the uppermost pipe section.
The pole pipe is preferably substantially made of aluminium or carbon where in the case of a carbon design, the transitions zones of the individual pipe sections are reinforced by means of stabilising sleeves, for example, made of aluminium.
Further embodiments are given in the dependent claims.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter with reference to the drawings, which merely serve for explanation and are not to be interpreted as restrictive. In the drawings:
An exemplary embodiment of a folding pole 1 having four pipe sections 7-9 is shown in
Specifically such a pole comprises an uppermost pipe section 7 on which a pole handle 2 is fastened right at the top. This pole handle 2 is configured asymmetrically in this case, in the running direction towards the front it is configured to be sloping right at the top and there has a trigger head 5 for a retaining mechanism for a hand holding device and to a certain extent towards the back over a retaining lug 3 which is configured in the form of a pin with a slot 4 disposed in front thereof. In other words, this comprises a pole handle as is known, for example, from WO 2006/066423 and as can be used, for example, together with a glove or a hand loop, as is known from WO 2006/066424, i.e. having a hand holding device which has a loop between thumb and index finger, which is guided over the retaining lug 3 and then can be locked in the slot 4 in a self-engaging manner. The pole handle furthermore has a handle region 6 which is usually configured as a region having a grip-friendly coating.
At the lower end of this uppermost pipe section, the pipe can fundamentally comprise a pipe made of aluminium or carbon composite material, this applies to all the pipe sections, an external clamping mechanism 10 is provided. In this specific case, this comprises an external clamping mechanism as is known from WO 2010/085905 but it could also comprise a clamping mechanism according to EP 098 898 or according to EP 1 217 224.
In this specific case, the clamping mechanism 10 in its upper region is fastened by means of a circumferential retaining region 13, which typically consists of plastic, on the pipe section 7, the upper pipe section 7 has an axially running slot 66 in the embraced region, in particular below the retaining region 13 so that the actual clamping region 64 of the sleeve disposed below the region 13 has the result that the outer pipe 7 can be clamped tightly to the inner pipe 8 inserted therein and thus a positive connection can be made between the two.
Below the circumferential retaining region 13 there is accordingly a slotted clamping region 14, where the slot 66 runs between two projections 63 through which passes a transversely running pin forming a clamping axis 12. The pin is fixed on the rear side, for example, with a nut and on the side shown here on the front side, said pin is connected to this by means of a transverse axis which forms a pivot point for the lever 11. At its fulcrum the lever 11 has two fork-shaped extensions which are configured as eccentrics so that in the clamped state of the clamping lever 11 as shown here when the lever 11 is placed around the pole pipe or around the clamping device, the slot is so severely tapered that clamping takes place and that when the lever 11 is folded outwards, this clamping is reduced because the eccentric expands the two projections 63 to a certain extent and releases the clamping.
In the uppermost pipe section 7 the upper of the two middle pipe sections 8 is pushed in from inside. The outside diameter of this upper middle pipe section 8 thus specifically corresponds to just somewhat smaller than the inside diameter of the uppermost pipe section so that displaceability is ensured but with the smallest possible play. The uppermost pipe section 7 thereby receives the upper of the middle pipe sections 8 as far as possible into itself in order to keep the pack size as small as possible. Typically the pipe section 8 is pushed in until it impacts against an upper fastening pin 27, the latter is explained in detail further below in connection with
The upper of the two middle pipe sections 8 is followed by another lower middle pipe section 8′, folded down here to a certain extent, which has the same pipe diameter as the upper middle pipe section 8. A plug-in connection 17, which is not connected here is provided therebetween, the plug-in connection 17 having a guide pin 49 which is configured to taper conically 18 at its tip. The guide pin 49 is fastened at the lower of the two pipe sections 8′ and is inserted therein via a fastening region 37, the other pipe section 8 typically has an upper pipe terminating sleeve 15 inter alia for protecting the pipe end but also for rotational fixing (cf. further below).
At the opposite end of the lower of the two middle pipe sections 8′ a lower pipe terminating sleeve 19 is provided there for its part. Thus is followed by the lowermost pipe section 9, again folded, which in this case comprises a double-butted pipe which in the uppermost section has the same diameter as the two middle pipe sections 8, 8′ but which tapers towards the bottom.
A pole tip 23 is fastened at the lower end of this lowermost pipe section 9, this pole tip is configured asymmetrically, i.e. in the lowermost region it has a beveled rubber buffer 25 which tapers to a point towards the back, which is here also configured to be adjustable insofar as adjustment can be made between at least two positions. Specifically this is between the position shown here where a hard tip 24 is disposed to pass through a hole in the rubber buffer 25, which is suitable for icy surfaces or gravelly soil but, if an adjusting lever 26 is tilted to the right, the buffer can also be displaced downwards and fixed there by renewed folding of the adjusting lever 26 so that in this position the tip 24 to a certain extent disappears in the opening in the buffer 25 and therefore only the rolling surface 65 of the asymmetric buffer comes in contact with the ground. The latter operating position is particularly advantageous in particular for tar surfaces or similar because the tedious clicking noises and the unpleasantly hard impact of the impingement of the tip no longer occur. In other words, this comprises a tip as is known for example from WO 2008/037098 and from the International Application WO 2011/128231, which claims the priority of the Swiss application dated 14 Apr. 2010 having the file reference CH 00533/10.
At the upper end the lowermost pipe section 9 also has a substantially identically configured plug-in connection 17 as in the case already described, i.e. there is a guide pin 49 which is configured to be conically tapering 18 at its tip and which has an outside diameter so that it can be inserted into the lower end of the lower middle pipe section 8′.
The individual pipe sections are monofilament and/or braided and/or ensheathed by means of a flexible but stretch-resistant tension cable 16 which, for example, is constructed of stretch-resistant plastic fibres such as, for example, Dyneema, Keylar or similar. A possibly ensheathed wire cable can just as possibly exist, having a thickness of 0.5-6 mm, preferably 1-3 mm, particularly preferably 1-2 mm. In order to ensure the tearing strength of the tension cable, for example, multifilaments comprising a plurality of parallel-disposed monofilaments, e.g. preferably made of Dyneema, are optionally potted in a carrier material or multifilaments comprising a plurality of braided monofilaments, e.g. made of Dyneema are possibly potted individually and/or as braiding into a carrier material. Chain-like tension cables are also possible. The individual pipe sections 8′ and 9 are therefore connected loosely to the two upper pipe sections 7, 8 pushed into one another in this position, which is advantageous for transport and prevents the individual parts from getting lost. In sections, in particular in the sections provided for folding, the tension cable 16 can be provided with a protective sheathing, preferably in the form of a piece of hose or a directly sprayed-on protective sleeve, for example, consisting of plastic.
In order to make a spring mounting of the tension cable superfluous, an elastically stretchable tension cable can also be used, this can then be formed, for example, from monofilament polyamide cord, e.g. made of nylon and rubber cords or multicore, braided sheathed rubber cords are also feasible.
The situation will be further illustrated by reference to
The clamping region is shown in
The terminating pin 34 additionally, as shown in
In the two alternative exemplary embodiments of
The poles according to the exemplary embodiments shown in
The actual pin region 49 can be identified above the circumferential flange 21. This pin region 49 is provided to be inserted into the lowermost region of the middle pipe section 8 disposed at the top and to ensure that the two pipe sections are arranged as stably as possible axially to the pole axis. The plug-in connection only ensures that the upper pipe section 8 can only be inserted into the lower pipe section 8′ as far as the stop on the element 21. However, the plug-in connection does not ensure against pulling apart again, this securing is accomplished, as described above, by the tensioned tension cable 16. A central axial through opening 36 runs through the entire plug-in connection 17, which opening must be sufficiently large for the tension cable 16 to pass through unhindered and free from friction by the plug-in connection 17.
As in the alternative exemplary embodiments according to
The lower plug-in connection between the lowermost pipe section 9 and the lower of the two middle pipe sections 8′ is shown in
In the exemplary embodiments shown in
Such a fixing of the rotational position can be accomplished by means of the axial stop but can also be accomplished by means of the radial contact region of the plug-in connection, this being shown as an example in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 218/11 | Feb 2011 | CH | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2012/051887 | 2/3/2012 | WO | 00 | 9/30/2013 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2012/104424 | 8/9/2012 | WO | A |
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| 20140069475 A1 | Mar 2014 | US |
