Patent Application
20230309667
The present invention relates to a pole handle for, for example, a walking pole, a trekking pole, a ski pole or a Nordic walking pole. The present invention also relates to a pole having such a pole handle, and also to a method for assembling such a pole handle.
The prior art, for example DE 299 06 612 U1, discloses pole handles which are gripped by the user from a direction transverse to the pole longitudinal axis, wherein the contours of the pole handle are configured in such a way that they are suitable for a sequential arrangement of the fingers of the user's hand. In the case of an introduction of force from above, a protrusion serves to support the index finger towards the bottom. A walking pole in which a knob forms the pole handle is disclosed in DE 10 2006 008 066 A1. In this case, the knob is placed onto the pole shaft in an eccentric manner. This pole handle is only suitable for gripping from above. Further pole handles with an ergonomic design of the handle head are known from EP-A-2 168 641.
In the case of such handle constructions, the straps may be fastened in an adjustable manner using various mechanisms, see for example EP-A-1 848 298, WO-A-2018/166854, EP-A-1 819 406.
US-A-2019216186 describes an ergonomic handle for a mobility device, comprising a central handle region, the lower portion of which widens towards the outside and forms a support ledge for an ulnar portion of the hand of a user when the hand grips the central column handle region and which extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the central column handle region so as to surround the lower portion of the handle region, wherein the handle has a slit cavity that splits the support ledge and extends upwards into the central column handle region, and the support ledge has an inclined ledge portion that is sloped downwards at a rear region of the support ledge.
It is correspondingly the object of the present invention to provide an improved and novel pole handle, in particular a pole handle which is as lightweight as possible using as little structure-forming material as possible but which nevertheless can provide the required stability even in the case of great loading. In addition, the intention is for the proposed pole handle to be able to be designed in a visually appealing manner, and for the technical functionality of the lightweight design to be able to be made visible towards the outside. It is specifically a matter of proposing a pole handle, in particular for a ski pole, cross-country ski pole, trekking pole or Nordic walking pole, having a head region and a handle region, and also an axial orifice which is open downwardly on one side and which is intended to receive a pole tube.
According to the invention, in accordance with a first subject, such a pole handle is in particular characterized in that the pole handle has a core composed of the actual structure-forming material (for example and preferably composed of a thermoplastic material such as in particular polyamide, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene or mixtures thereof, optionally with (glass) fibre reinforcement), wherein the core has a first, left-hand side wall and a second, right-hand side wall in the interior of the handle, at least in certain regions. In other words, in the core, in the head region, there is a cavity which extends substantially along the direction of travel, which preferably runs approximately horizontally or which rises slightly towards the front in the direction of travel and which is delimited on the left-hand side by the first side wall and on the right-hand side by the right-hand side wall.
In this case, the two side walls are connected at the top by a top surface, wherein the side walls and the top surface enclose a cavity, and the first, left-hand side wall and the second, right-hand side wall in the head region laterally delimit the cavity. In this case, both side walls in each case have at least one or preferably two apertures in a direction transverse to the pole handle longitudinal axis and transverse to the direction of travel when used as intended. The apertures each form an aperture area, that is to say a cross-sectional area of the respective passage opening.
The individual aperture area of at least one of the apertures, preferably of the majority or of all of the apertures, is in this case more than 10 mm2, in particular more than 15 mm2, in particular in the range from 10-50 mm2. Alternatively or additionally, the total area of the apertures on at least one or both sides, that is to say in a side wall, of the handle is more than 10 mm2, preferably more than 15 mm2, or more than 20 mm2, in particular in the range from 10-50 mm2.
Due to the design with the aforementioned cavity, the side walls and the apertures in these side walls, it is possible to structurally implement an elongate cavity extending in the direction of travel in the interior of the handle head in a stable manner, without thereby having to accept losses in the stability even in the case of great loading. The webs of this, for example organic, structure make it possible to ensure great stability, and the proposed design can also be readily implemented in the customary processes (injection-moulding processes) for the core of the pole handle.
A first preferred embodiment is characterized in that webs are formed between the apertures or the apertures are formed by a grid structure having apertures.
At least one or more of the apertures may be configured in the form of polygons, with optionally rounded corners, for example in the form of triangles, quadrilaterals (kite shapes, rhombus, square, rectangle, trapezoidal shape, for example parallelogram, trapezium).
Typically, the top surface is of closed or grid-like configuration. If the top surface is configured in a grid-like manner with complete apertures, the attachment described further below or a separate attachment or a coating preferably also covers the surface of the top surface in order to prevent the ingress of dirt or similar.
The pole handle preferably has at least one attachment which is preferably releasably fastened to the core, which encloses the core preferably in certain regions in the head region in a peripheral direction and which at least partially, preferably completely, covers the apertures and/or orifices in the top surface on the outer side, wherein the attachment is preferably fastened to the core in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner and/or is fastened in a form-fitting manner to a strap fastening element which is also inset in the handle head, or at least contributes to the guidance thereof. This may involve for example two attachments which are each laterally placed on, or alternatively one attachment which in the form of a clip engages around, and laterally bears against, the front tip.
The attachment is typically and preferably manufactured from a transparent or translucent thermoplastic material, for example polyamide, polycarbonate, polyacrylate (e.g. PMMA), POM or a mixture of such materials, so that it is possible to view the internal structure. The pole handle having the head region and the handle region preferably has a hard core composed of a thermoplastic material and a soft material arranged thereon, for example composed of a foam or cork, in the handle region. In this case, the hard core composed of a thermoplastic material may have an encircling recess in the handle region, a corresponding sheathing composed of foam or cork being arranged in said recess. This brings about not only a further reduction in the weight but also a greater gripping comfort.
The sheathing may be composed of foam (for example EVA), cork, or alternatively of a composite, of wood, bast, textile, nonwoven, metal, or a combination of such materials.
In order that such constructions may also be assembled, the hard core may be separated, that is to say have an encircling slot, in the lower handle region, that is to say in that region in which the axial orifice for a pole tube is provided. It is thus possible for the two-part hard core of the handle to be assembled with the sheathing in that the upper region or the lower region of the hard core is initially provided, the encircling sheathing is pushed on, and the other region of the hard core is pushed into the free other opening of the sheathing and the parts are connected, for example adhesively bonded, to one another.
This proposed design may also be used to provide pole handles of various sizes and various shapes in a virtually modular manner. It is for example possible to configure the length of the handle region differently in that in each case provision is made of an identical head region and upper hard core, and lower hard core regions of differing length, and then a sheathing of the desired length together with a lower hard core region of the desired length is combined with always the same upper hard core.
Furthermore, additionally or independently thereof, it is possible to design the sheathing with a different shape in the case of an unchanging hard core. Thus, in the case of an unchanging hard core, it is possible to provide an entire series of different handles in that only different sheathings are used, wherein the various sheathings may vary with regard to material and/or shaping.
Particularly preferably, in the context of a handle series, all variation possibilities are utilized, for example in that there is a single hard core upper part comprising a handle head, said upper part always being identical, and lower hard cores of differing length depending on the desired length of the handle region, and sheathings of differing length composed of different material and having a different shaping. Alternatively, the upper parts comprising handle head and hard core region may also have different lengths and may be combined with lower, hard core regions, either having the same length and shaping or else having different length and shaping. In the end, even user-specific customized combinations may thus be provided with comparatively little outlay during the production, which opens up interesting possibilities particularly with the present possibilities with internet shipping directly from the production site to the customers.
The pole handle having a pole longitudinal axis and a front pole handle region pointing in a direction of travel and a rear pole handle region oriented in an opposite direction to the direction of travel, and also a gripping region and a curved head region adjoining the gripping region, wherein the gripping region has an upper gripping region adjacent to the head region and a lower gripping region averted from the head region, typically has a handle nose in the head region, said handle nose transitioning into the upper gripping region substantially without an offset in the front pole handle region, wherein, in the front pole handle region, the handle nose is formed with an overhang so as to protrude beyond the gripping region in the direction of travel.
In this case, the overhang typically amounts to more than about 50% of a mean extent of the gripping region in the direction of travel. Typically, in this case, a section plane of the head region, said section plane being defined by a transverse axis of the head region, said transverse axis being arranged transverse to the pole longitudinal axis and transverse to the direction of travel and being arranged at the point where the head region is widest as measured transverse to the direction of travel and transverse to the pole longitudinal axis, and a foremost tip of the handle nose, is angled away from the pole longitudinal axis at an obtuse angle of in the range from 90-135 degrees.
The handle head preferably protrudes beyond the handle region in a front region. For better grip, the handle head has at least one elevation on its front bottom side, preferably approximately halfway between the front edge of the handle region and the tip of the handle head. Further preferably, the bottom side, and optionally at least partially also a region which extends to a further extent laterally downwards, is manufactured from a material which is particularly comfortable to grip. Typically, the core of the handle head is composed of a hard thermoplastic material, such as for example polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene or mixtures or glass fibre-reinforced variants thereof. In the lower region of the handle head, a softer elastomer material, which then preferably also provides the above-mentioned elevation, may be provided as the material which is comfortable to grip. The entire core of the handle or at least the upper region comprising the handle head may correspondingly be produced from a single material, or in a 2 K-process with an elastomer insert in particular on the bottom side of the handle head.
It is also possible for the top side or top surface and a top portion of the strap fastening element to likewise be formed from an elastomer material that is comfortable to grip or be formed at least with a coating composed of an elastomer material that is comfortable to grip. In this case, the attachment may be configured in the form of a clip having two lateral arms, wherein the arms of this clip engage around the handle head virtually from the front, and wherein the arms extend from a front wall of the attachment rearward to the rear region of the head region of the pole handle and in this case cover the side walls partially and the apertures arranged therein preferably completely on the outer side.
In this case, preferably each of the lateral arms has at least a first means for force-fitting and/or form-fitting connection to the core and preferably additionally at least a second means for force-fitting and/or form-fitting connection to, or at least for guidance of, preferably also for captive securement of, a coupling element, wherein preferably at least the second means is a latching means which is arrested with latching action in a latching orifice or on a latching extension of a latching structure in the core, wherein further preferably a protrusion formed by the coupling element engages in a guide contour in the coupling element in a guiding manner, in particular for a tilting movement of the coupling element, but also retains the coupling element in the handle head.
Both the first, left-hand side wall and the second, right-hand side wall may each have, in the head region, at least three apertures in a direction transverse to the pole handle longitudinal axis and transverse to the direction of travel.
The first side wall and the second side wall preferably each have at least two or three apertures which are separated from one another by a respective web, wherein the webs extend from the top surface of the pole handle downward in the direction of the handle region and are preferably arranged substantially parallel to the pole handle longitudinal axis or in an angularly inclined manner with respect to the pole handle longitudinal axis.
The webs are preferably oriented in an inclined manner with respect to the pole handle longitudinal axis, wherein preferably webs which are arranged further towards the front in the direction of travel are inclined from the bottom to the top towards the front, particularly preferably at an angle with respect to the pole handle longitudinal axis of 20-80°, or in the range from 30-60°, and webs which are arranged further towards the rear in the direction of travel are inclined from the bottom to the top towards the rear, particularly preferably at an angle with respect to the pole handle longitudinal axis (S) of 10-70°, or in the range from 20-60°.
The apertures in the two side walls are preferably configured so as to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane defined by the pole handle longitudinal axis and the direction of travel.
In relation to a lower region of the head region, the side walls are furthermore preferably offset inward towards the cavity in an upper region of the head region, as a result of which a shoulder which partially encircles the head region in the peripheral direction and on which the attachment at least partially rests is formed between the upper region of the head region and the lower region of the head region, wherein preferably a substantially continuous surface of the handle region, said surface being closed apart from gaps between components, is formed by the shaping of the attachment and the position thereof in this offset region.
The webs typically extend from the top surface of the pole handle downward in the direction of the handle region up to the partially encircling shoulder.
A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the attachment is configured to be at least partially, preferably completely, transparent or translucent, such that the apertures of the core are visible from the outside.
In the head region which is delimited towards the top by a top surface, the pole handle may have a central orifice on the rear side, a strap fastening element with a hand strap fastened to the strap fastening element being received in said central orifice in a rear region of the head region, wherein preferably the strap fastening element has an aperture which is aligned with an aperture of the side walls such that, in a rest position, the strap fastening element is substantially not visible from the outside as viewed through the aperture of the side walls.
The pole handle according to the invention further preferably has two lateral arcuate or angled webs between the top surface and a lower region of the handle head, on the rear side of the handle head, between which webs a strap fastening element as described above is preferably arranged.
Furthermore, the pole handle may have an attachment which is releasably fastened to the core, which encloses the core in certain regions in the head region in the peripheral direction and which at least partially, preferably completely, covers the apertures and/or orifices in the top surface, including the aperture formed by the webs, on the outer side, wherein the attachment is preferably fastened to the core in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner and/or is fastened in a form-fitting manner to a strap fastening element which is also inset in the handle head in that regions of the attachment engage behind the webs on the inner side, and possibly engage in a guiding manner in curved orifices of a strap fastening element. The use of additional fastening elements may be dispensed with as a result.
The present invention also relates to a method for assembling a pole handle as presented above, which method is in particular characterized in that the hand strap is fastened to the strap fastening element by way of a free end, and is subsequently introduced in the form of a module into the central orifice and fastened in the handle head in a tiltable manner by means of a transverse pin. Preferably, prior to the insertion of the strap fastening element or subsequently thereto, an attachment is pushed on and fastened to the handle head preferably from the front or laterally and preferably in a self-latching manner. As a result, the attachment is additionally secured to the handle head by means of the strap fastening element, or the strap fastening element is additionally secured to the handle head by means of this attachment or regions thereof, and is preferably additionally guided for the tilting movement.
Finally, the present invention relates to a pole, in particular a ski pole, cross-country ski pole or Nordic walking pole, having a pole handle as presented above or assembled as presented above.
Alternatively or additionally, the present case concerns a pole handle having the following properties:
The pole handle has a central orifice in which a strap fastening element with a hand strap which is fastened to the strap fastening element and which is adjustable in terms of its size is at least partially received.
In this case, the pole handle is characterized in that the strap fastening element and the hand strap fastened to the strap fastening element form a modular unit which is configured separately from a core of the pole handle and which is fastened to the core of the pole handle so as to be reversibly tiltable about an axis of rotation in the pole handle.
In this case, the strap fastening element, in a rest position X1 in which the strap fastening element is embedded in the surface contour of the handle head and in which the size of the hand strap cannot be adjusted, can be tilted about the axis of rotation upwards into an adjustment position X2, and the size of the hand strap can be adjusted in this adjustment position X2.
In this way, a simple design that is advantageous in particular with regard to assembly, repair and replacement of components is provided, said design ensuring excellent fixing of the strap in the rest position, and nevertheless permitting simple length adjustment of the hand strap in the adjustment position. The strap fastening element may be prefabricated in the form of a module and may be installed together with the hand strap, as a whole, in a corresponding handle head. It is thus also possible for the production processes and the warehousing to be optimized, since such a unit may be used for various models in respect of further design of the handle.
A first preferred embodiment is characterized in that the strap fastening element has a passage opening through which the strap band of the hand strap is guided out of the pole handle, said strap band is guided around the hand of the user and passes by way of the free end through the same passage opening back through the strap fastening element, wherein preferably the free end of the strap band is guided behind this passage opening downward around the strap fastening element around a deflection region and is subsequently guided in the form of a free strap end, below the strap, out of the handle head. This guidance of the strap simultaneously permits a good clamping action and, on the other hand, also advantages with regard to modularity, since the prefabricated unit composed of strap fastening element and hand strap may be assembled in a simple manner, particularly if the one end of the strap is fastened to the strap fastening element.
In the rest position, the strap band is preferably clamped in a fixed manner between a bottom side of the strap fastening element and a base of the central orifice that lies opposite. In this case, means for preventing the adjustment of the size of the hand strap are preferably arranged in the clamping region and/or in the deflection region.
These means may preferably be configured at least partially in the form of one or more clamping protrusions or clamping offset portions and/or corresponding recesses, steps or grooves in the mating surface.
Particularly preferably, in this case at least one rib running transverse to the direction of travel is arranged on the bottom side of the strap fastening element, and a corresponding step is arranged in the base of the central orifice that lies opposite.
A further preferred embodiment is distinguished in that the strap fastening element is fastened to the core of the pole handle in a tiltable manner by means of a transverse pin which is arranged along the axis of rotation transverse to a direction of travel and transverse to the pole handle longitudinal axis in a passage opening of the core of the pole handle. The strap fastening element may also be fastened, that is to say in particular captively secured, to the core of the pole handle by means of a direct or indirect connection which preferably simultaneously provides a guide function for the tilting movement between rest position X1 and adjustment position X2. To this end, protrusions which at least partially engage in curved orifices in the side surfaces are particularly preferably provided on the core and/or on a separate element.
Furthermore, latching elements may preferably be provided, which can at least partially arrest the strap fastening element with latching action in the rest position X1 and/or in the adjustment position X2. Preferably, such a mechanism is provided in both positions.
In this case, the strap fastening element may have at least a first latching channel, in which at least a first latching ridge engages in the rest state X1, in at least one side surface, wherein the strap fastening element then preferably has two latching channels or grooves which are arranged on two mutually opposite side walls of the strap fastening element that are arranged parallel to one another. Preferably, the core has two latching ridges which are directed inwards into the central orifice and which are arranged on two mutually opposite side walls of the core that are arranged substantially parallel to one another, said latching ridges engaging in the two latching channels.
Alternatively or additionally, it is possible for the strap fastening element to have at least a second latching channel, in which at least a first latching ridge engages in the adjustment position X2, in at least one side surface, wherein the strap fastening element preferably has two latching channels or grooves which are arranged on two mutually opposite side walls of the strap fastening element that are arranged parallel to one another, and wherein preferably the core has two latching ridges which are directed inwards into the central orifice and which are arranged on two mutually opposite side walls of the core that are arranged substantially parallel to one another, said latching ridges engaging in the two latching channels.
A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the hand strap has a strap portion which encircles the hand of the user, and also has a deflection portion which adjoins the strap portion on one side, which is introduced into a slot-like passage opening of the strap fastening element and which is guided downwards in the central orifice around a deflection region of the strap fastening element, and a first free end which protrudes from the central orifice and which adjoins the deflection portion, wherein the hand strap also has a second end which is adjacent to the encircling strap portion and which is fastened to the strap fastening element, preferably to a front wall, arranged in the central orifice of the pole handle, of the strap fastening element, particularly preferably by way of a fastening means which is preferably a screw, a rivet, a pin, a hook, an adhesive bond or a combination thereof.
The strap fastening element may preferably have at least one orifice which is preferably arranged transverse to the direction of travel.
Furthermore, the strap fastening element may have, on its front surface, in the transition to the top portion (which, in use, forms the surface of the handle head in the rest position X1), means, in particular in the form of a protrusion and/or a sealing lip, which ensure a seal.
The pole handle may also have at least one, preferably clip-like, attachment which is connected to the strap fastening element and/or to the core in a form-fitting and releasable manner. This may involve for example two attachments which are each laterally placed on. In the case of a clip-like attachment, the latter may have two side walls which converge in a front wall in the direction of travel and which are connected towards the bottom in a front region by a base, wherein the side walls each have a free end which is directed rearward counter to the direction of travel and on which a respective latching peg is arranged, and wherein the latching pegs engage in a respective curved guide channel arranged on opposite side walls of the strap fastening element, as a result of which the strap fastening element is guided in the central orifice of the pole handle during a tilting movement of the strap fastening element, and wherein preferably the at least one guide channel is formed along the curvature of a top portion of the strap fastening element.
Typically, the attachment is connected to the core (1a) of the pole handle in a form-fitting and releasable manner, preferably by means of at least one latching connection.
The angle between the rest position X1 and the adjustment position X2 advantageously lies in the range from 20-90°, preferably in the range from 30-80°, particularly preferably in the range from 45-70°.
The pole handle preferably has a first form-fitting connection between the core and the strap fastening element, and also a second form-fitting connection between the strap fastening element and the attachment and a third form-fitting connection between the core and the attachment.
The strap fastening element may have a curved top portion which, in the fixed position, is integrated at least partially or in particular virtually completely in an outer contour of the head region.
Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.
In accordance with a further second subject which is independent of the foregoing or in addition to the foregoing, the application relates to the following:
It is specifically a matter of providing a pole handle, in particular for a ski pole, cross-country ski pole, trekking pole or Nordic walking pole, having a head region and a handle region, and also an axial orifice for receiving a pole tube, and a hand strap which is fastened thereto and which is adjustable in terms of its size.
In this case, the pole handle has a central orifice in which a strap fastening element with a hand strap which is fastened to the strap fastening element and which is adjustable in terms of its size is at least partially received.
In this case, according to the invention, the pole handle is characterized in that the strap fastening element and the hand strap fastened to the strap fastening element form a modular unit which is configured separately from a core of the pole handle and which is fastened to the core of the pole handle so as to be reversibly tiltable about an axis of rotation in the pole handle.
In this case, the strap fastening element, in a rest position X1 in which the strap fastening element is embedded in the surface contour of the handle head and in which the size of the hand strap cannot be adjusted, specifically preferably in that the band of the hand strap is fixed in a force-fitting and not form-fitting manner, can be tilted about the axis of rotation upwards into an adjustment position X2, and the size of the hand strap can be adjusted in this adjustment position X2.
In this way, a simple design that is advantageous in particular with regard to assembly, repair and replacement of components is provided, said design ensuring excellent fixing of the strap in the rest position, and nevertheless permitting simple length adjustment of the hand strap in the adjustment position. The strap fastening element may be prefabricated in the form of a module and may be installed together with the hand strap, as a whole, in a corresponding handle head. It is thus also possible for the production processes and the warehousing to be optimized, since such a unit may be used for various models in respect of further design of the handle.
A first preferred embodiment is characterized in that the strap fastening element has a passage opening through which the strap band of the hand strap is guided out of the pole handle, said strap band is guided around the hand of the user and passes by way of the free end through the same passage opening back through the strap fastening element, wherein preferably the free end of the strap band is guided behind this passage opening downward around the strap fastening element around a deflection region and is subsequently guided in the form of a free strap end, below the strap, out of the handle head. Preferably, in the rest position, the strap band is fixed in its position between the strap fastening element and the core of the pole handle by way of a pure clamping action, that is to say by way of a force fit. In this case, in particular holes in the strap band for a form-fitting fastening are dispensed with, in order to enable as many different positions as possible.
This guidance of the strap simultaneously permits a good clamping action and, on the other hand, also advantages with regard to modularity, since the prefabricated unit composed of strap fastening element and hand strap may be assembled in a simple manner, particularly if the one end of the strap is fastened to the strap fastening element.
In the rest position, the strap band is preferably clamped in a fixed manner between a bottom side of the strap fastening element and a base of the central orifice that lies opposite. In this case, means for preventing the adjustment of the size of the hand strap are preferably arranged in the clamping region and/or in the deflection region.
These means may preferably be configured at least partially in the form of one or more clamping protrusions or clamping offset portions and/or corresponding recesses, steps or grooves in the mating surface.
Particularly preferably, in this case at least one rib running transverse to the direction of travel is arranged on the bottom side of the strap fastening element, and a corresponding step is arranged in the base of the central orifice that lies opposite.
A further preferred embodiment is distinguished in that the strap fastening element is fastened to the core of the pole handle in a tiltable manner by means of a transverse pin which is arranged along the axis of rotation transverse to a direction of travel and transverse to the pole handle longitudinal axis in a passage opening of the core of the pole handle.
The strap fastening element may also be fastened, that is to say in particular captively secured, to the core of the pole handle by means of a direct or indirect connection which preferably simultaneously provides a guide function for the tilting movement between rest position X1 and adjustment position X2. To this end, protrusions which at least partially engage in curved orifices in the side surfaces are particularly preferably provided on the core and/or on a separate element.
Furthermore, latching elements may preferably be provided, which can at least partially arrest the strap fastening element with latching action in the rest position X1 and/or in the adjustment position X2. Preferably, such a mechanism is provided in both positions.
In this case, the strap fastening element may have at least a first latching channel, in which at least a first latching ridge engages in the rest state X1, in at least one side surface, wherein the strap fastening element then preferably has two latching channels or grooves which are arranged on two mutually opposite side walls of the strap fastening element that are arranged parallel to one another. Preferably, the core has two latching ridges which are directed inwards into the central orifice and which are arranged on two mutually opposite side walls of the core that are arranged substantially parallel to one another, said latching ridges engaging in the two latching channels.
Alternatively or additionally, it is possible for the strap fastening element to have at least a second latching channel, in which at least a first latching ridge engages in the adjustment position X2, in at least one side surface, wherein the strap fastening element preferably has two latching channels or grooves which are arranged on two mutually opposite side walls of the strap fastening element that are arranged parallel to one another, and wherein preferably the core has two latching ridges which are directed inwards into the central orifice and which are arranged on two mutually opposite side walls of the core that are arranged substantially parallel to one another, said latching ridges engaging in the two latching channels.
A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the hand strap has a strap portion which encircles the hand of the user, and also has a deflection portion which adjoins the strap portion on one side, which is introduced into a slot-like passage opening of the strap fastening element and which is guided downwards in the central orifice around a deflection region of the strap fastening element, and a first free end which protrudes from the central orifice and which adjoins the deflection portion, wherein the hand strap also has a second end which is adjacent to the encircling strap portion and which is fastened to the strap fastening element, preferably to a front wall, arranged in the central orifice of the pole handle, of the strap fastening element, particularly preferably by way of a fastening means which is preferably a screw, a rivet, a pin, a hook, an adhesive bond or a combination thereof.
The strap fastening element may preferably have at least one orifice which is preferably arranged transverse to the direction of travel.
Furthermore, the strap fastening element may have, on its front surface, in the transition to the top portion (which, in use, forms the surface of the handle head in the rest position X1), means, in particular in the form of a protrusion and/or a sealing lip, which ensure a seal.
The pole handle may also have at least one, preferably clip-like, attachment which is connected to the strap fastening element and/or to the core in a form-fitting and releasable manner. This may involve for example two attachments which are each laterally placed on. In the case of a clip-like attachment, the latter may have two side walls which converge in a front wall in the direction of travel and which are connected towards the bottom in a front region by a base, wherein the side walls each have a free end which is directed rearward counter to the direction of travel and on which a respective latching peg is arranged, and wherein the latching pegs engage in a respective curved guide channel arranged on opposite side walls of the strap fastening element, as a result of which the strap fastening element is guided in the central orifice of the pole handle during a tilting movement of the strap fastening element, and wherein preferably the at least one guide channel is formed along the curvature of a top portion of the strap fastening element. Typically, the attachment is connected to the core (1a) of the pole handle in a form-fitting and releasable manner, preferably by means of at least one latching connection. The angle between the rest position X1 and the adjustment position X2 advantageously lies in the range from 20-90°, preferably in the range from 30-80°, particularly preferably in the range from 45-70°.
The pole handle preferably has a first form-fitting connection between the core and the strap fastening element, and also a second form-fitting connection between the strap fastening element and the attachment and a third form-fitting connection between the core and the attachment.
The strap fastening element may have a curved top portion which, in the fixed position, is integrated at least partially or in particular virtually completely in an outer contour of the head region.
The handle head preferably protrudes beyond the handle region in a front region. For better grip, the handle head has at least one elevation on its front bottom side, preferably approximately halfway between the front edge of the handle region and the tip of the handle head. Further preferably, the bottom side, and optionally at least partially also a region which extends to a further extent laterally downwards, is manufactured from a material which is particularly comfortable to grip. Typically, the core of the handle head is composed of a hard thermoplastic material, such as for example polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene or mixtures or glass fibre-reinforced variants thereof. In the lower region of the handle head, a softer elastomer material, which then preferably also provides the above-mentioned elevation, may be provided as the material which is comfortable to grip. The entire core of the handle or at least the upper region comprising the handle head may correspondingly be produced from a single material, or in a 2 K-process with an elastomer insert in particular on the bottom side of the handle head.
It is also possible for the top side or top surface and a top portion of the strap fastening element to likewise be formed from an elastomer material that is comfortable to grip or be formed at least with a coating composed of an elastomer material that is comfortable to grip. The present invention also relates to a method for assembling a pole handle as presented above, which method is characterized in that the hand strap is fastened to the strap fastening element by way of a free end, and is subsequently introduced in the form of a module into the central orifice and fastened in the handle head in a tiltable manner by means of a transverse pin. Preferably, prior to the insertion of the strap fastening element or subsequently thereto, at least one attachment is preferably pushed on laterally or from the front and fastened to the handle head preferably in a self-latching manner. As a result, the attachment is additionally secured to the handle head by means of the strap fastening element, or the strap fastening element is additionally secured to the handle head by means of this attachment or regions thereof. The strap fastening element is preferably additionally guided by an engagement of the attachment for the tilting movement.
Finally, the present invention relates to a pole, in particular a ski pole, cross-country ski pole or Nordic walking pole, having a pole handle as presented above or assembled as presented above.
Alternatively or additionally, the present case concerns a pole handle having the following properties:
A pole handle, in particular for a ski pole, cross-country ski pole, trekking pole or Nordic walking pole, having a head region and a handle region, and also an axial orifice which is open downwardly on one side and which is intended to receive a pole tube.
In this case, such a pole handle is in particular characterized in that the pole handle has a core composed of the actual structure-forming material (for example and preferably composed of a thermoplastic material such as in particular polyamide, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene or mixtures thereof, optionally with (glass) fibre reinforcement), wherein the core has a first, left-hand side wall and a second, right-hand side wall in the interior of the handle, at least in certain regions.
In this case, the two side walls are connected at the top by a top surface, wherein the side walls and the top surface enclose a cavity, and the first, left-hand side wall and the second, right-hand side wall in the head region laterally delimit the cavity. In this case, both side walls in each case have at least one or preferably two apertures in a direction transverse to the pole handle longitudinal axis and transverse to the direction of travel when used as intended.
The individual aperture area of at least one of the apertures, preferably of the majority or of all of the apertures, is in this case more than 10 mm2, in particular more than 15 mm2, in particular in the range from 10-50 mm2. Alternatively or additionally, the total area of the apertures on at least one or both sides, that is to say in a side wall, of the handle is more than 10 mm2, preferably more than 15 mm2, or more than 20 mm2, in particular in the range from 10-50 mm2.
Due to the design with the side walls and the apertures in these side walls, it is possible to structurally implement an elongate cavity in the interior of the handle head in a stable manner, without thereby having to accept losses in the stability even in the case of great loading. The webs of this, for example organic structure make it possible to ensure great stability, and the proposed design can also be readily implemented in the customary processes (injection-moulding processes) for the core of the pole handle.
A first preferred embodiment is characterized in that webs are formed between the apertures or the apertures are formed by a grid structure having apertures.
At least one or more of the apertures may be configured in the form of polygons, with optionally rounded corners, for example in the form of triangles, quadrilaterals (kite shapes, rhombus, square, rectangle, trapezoidal shape, for example parallelogram, trapezium).
Typically, the top surface is of closed or grid-like configuration. If the top surface is configured in a grid-like manner with complete apertures, the attachment described further below or a separate attachment or a coating preferably also covers the surface of the top surface in order to prevent the ingress of dirt or similar.
The pole handle preferably has at least one attachment which is preferably releasably fastened to the core, which encloses the core preferably in certain regions in the head region in a peripheral direction and which at least partially, preferably completely, covers the apertures and/or orifices in the top surface on the outer side, wherein the attachment is preferably fastened to the core in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner and/or is fastened in a form-fitting manner to a strap fastening element which is also inset in the handle head. This may involve for example two attachments which are each laterally placed on.
The attachment is typically and preferably manufactured from a transparent or translucent thermoplastic material, for example polyamide, polycarbonate, polyacrylate (e.g. PMMA), POM or a mixture of such materials, so that it is possible to view the internal structure.
The pole handle having the head region and the handle region preferably has a hard core composed of a thermoplastic material and a soft material arranged thereon, for example composed of a foam or cork, in the handle region. In this case, the hard core composed of a thermoplastic material may have an encircling recess in the handle region, a corresponding sheathing composed of foam or cork being arranged in said recess. This brings about not only a further reduction in the weight but also a greater gripping comfort. The sheathing may be composed of foam (for example EVA), cork, or alternatively of a composite, of wood, bast, textile, nonwoven, metal, or a combination of such materials.
In order that such constructions may also be assembled, the hard core may be separated, that is to say have an encircling slot, in the lower handle region, that is to say in that region in which the axial orifice for a pole tube is provided. It is thus possible for the two-part hard core of the handle to be assembled with the sheathing in that the upper region or the lower region of the hard core is initially provided, the encircling sheathing is pushed on, and the other region of the hard core is pushed into the free other opening of the sheathing and the parts are connected, for example adhesively bonded, to one another.
This proposed design may also be used to provide pole handles of various sizes and various shapes in a virtually modular manner. It is for example possible to configure the length of the handle region differently in that in each case provision is made of an identical head region and upper hard core, and lower hard core regions of differing length, and then a sheathing of the desired length together with a lower hard core region of the desired length is combined with always the same upper hard core.
Furthermore, additionally or independently thereof, it is possible to design the sheathing with a different shape in the case of an unchanging hard core. Thus, in the case of an unchanging hard core, it is possible to provide an entire series of different handles in that only different sheathings are used, wherein the various sheathings may vary with regard to material and/or shaping.
Particularly preferably, in the context of a handle series, all variation possibilities are utilized, for example in that there is a single hard core upper part comprising a handle head, said upper part always being identical, and lower hard cores of differing length depending on the desired length of the handle region, and sheathings of differing length composed of different material and having a different shaping. Alternatively, the upper parts comprising handle head and hard core region may also have different lengths and may be combined with lower, hard core regions, either having the same length and shaping or else having different length and shaping. In the end, even user-specific customized combinations may thus be provided with comparatively little outlay during the production, which opens up interesting possibilities particularly with the present possibilities with internet shipping directly from the production site to the customers.
The pole handle having a pole longitudinal axis and a front pole handle region pointing in a direction of travel and a rear pole handle region oriented in an opposite direction to the direction of travel, and also a gripping region and a curved head region adjoining the gripping region, wherein the gripping region has an upper gripping region adjacent to the head region and a lower gripping region averted from the head region, typically has a handle nose in the head region, said handle nose transitioning into the upper gripping region substantially without an offset in the front pole handle region, wherein, in the front pole handle region, the handle nose is formed with an overhang so as to protrude beyond the gripping region in the direction of travel.
In this case, the overhang typically amounts to more than about 50% of a mean extent of the gripping region in the direction of travel. Typically, in this case, a section plane of the head region, said section plane being defined by a transverse axis of the head region, said transverse axis being arranged transverse to the pole longitudinal axis and transverse to the direction of travel and being arranged at the point where the head region is widest as measured transverse to the direction of travel and transverse to the pole longitudinal axis, and a foremost tip of the handle nose, is angled away from the pole longitudinal axis at an obtuse angle of in the range from 90-135 degrees.
In this case, the attachment may be configured in the form of a clip having two lateral arms, wherein the arms of this clip engage around the handle head virtually from the front, and wherein the arms extend from a front wall of the attachment rearward to the rear region of the head region of the pole handle and in this case cover the side walls partially and the apertures arranged therein preferably completely on the outer side.
In this case, preferably each of the lateral arms has at least a first means for force-fitting and/or form-fitting connection to the core and preferably additionally at least a second means for force-fitting and/or form-fitting connection to a coupling element, wherein preferably at least the second means is a latching means which is arrested with latching action in a latching orifice or on a latching extension of a latching structure in the core.
Both the first, left-hand side wall and the second, right-hand side wall may each have, in the head region, at least three apertures in a direction transverse to the pole handle longitudinal axis and transverse to the direction of travel.
The first side wall and the second side wall preferably each have at least two or three apertures which are separated from one another by a respective web, wherein the webs extend from the top surface of the pole handle downward in the direction of the handle region and are preferably arranged substantially parallel to the pole handle longitudinal axis or in an angularly inclined manner with respect to the pole handle longitudinal axis.
The webs are preferably oriented in an inclined manner with respect to the pole handle longitudinal axis, wherein preferably webs which are arranged further towards the front in the direction of travel are inclined from the bottom to the top towards the front, particularly preferably at an angle with respect to the pole handle longitudinal axis of 20-80°, or in the range from 30-60°, and webs which are arranged further towards the rear in the direction of travel are inclined from the bottom to the top towards the rear, particularly preferably at an angle with respect to the pole handle longitudinal axis of 10-70°, or in the range from 20-60°.
The apertures in the two side walls are preferably configured so as to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane defined by the pole handle longitudinal axis and the direction of travel.
In relation to a lower region of the head region, the side walls are furthermore preferably offset inward towards the cavity in an upper region of the head region, as a result of which a shoulder which partially encircles the head region in the peripheral direction and on which the attachment at least partially rests is formed between the upper region of the head region and the lower region of the head region, wherein preferably a substantially continuous surface of the handle region, said surface being closed apart from gaps between components, is formed by the shaping of the attachment and the position thereof in this offset region.
The webs typically extend from the top surface of the pole handle downward in the direction of the handle region up to the partially encircling shoulder.
A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the attachment is configured to be at least partially, preferably completely, transparent or translucent, such that the apertures of the core are visible from the outside.
In the head region which is delimited towards the top by a top surface, the pole handle may have a central orifice on the rear side, a strap fastening element with a hand strap fastened to the strap fastening element being received in said central orifice in a rear region of the head region, wherein preferably the strap fastening element has an aperture which is aligned with an aperture of the side walls such that, in a rest position, the strap fastening element is substantially not visible from the outside as viewed through the aperture of the side walls.
The pole handle according to the invention further preferably has two lateral arcuate or angled webs between the top surface and a lower region of the handle head, on the rear side of the handle head, between which webs a strap fastening element as described above is preferably arranged.
Furthermore, the pole handle may have an attachment which is releasably fastened to the core, which encloses the core in certain regions in the head region in the peripheral direction and which at least partially, preferably completely, covers the apertures and/or orifices in the top surface, including the aperture formed by the webs, on the outer side, wherein the attachment is preferably fastened to the core in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner and/or is fastened in a form-fitting manner to a strap fastening element which is also inset in the handle head in that regions of the attachment engage behind the webs on the inner side, and possibly engage in a guiding manner in curved orifices of a strap fastening element. The use of additional fastening elements may be dispensed with as a result.
The second subject is characterized by the following aspects, which may be employed in isolation or combined with the first subject:
Aspect 1: Pole handle, in particular for a ski pole, cross-country ski pole, trekking pole or Nordic walking pole, having a head region and a handle region, and also an axial orifice for receiving a pole tube, and a hand strap which is fastened thereto and which is adjustable in terms of its size, wherein the pole handle has a central orifice in which a strap fastening element with a hand strap which is fastened to the strap fastening element and which is adjustable in terms of its size is at least partially received,
characterized in that
Aspect 2: Pole handle according to aspect 1, characterized in that the strap fastening element has a passage opening through which the strap band of the hand strap is guided out of the pole handle, said strap band is guided around the hand of the user and passes by way of the free end through the same passage opening back through the strap fastening element, wherein preferably the free end of the strap band is guided behind this passage opening downward around the strap fastening element around a deflection region and is subsequently guided in the form of a free strap end, below the strap, out of the handle head.
Aspect 3: Pole handle according to aspect 2, characterized in that, in the rest position (X1), the strap band is clamped in a fixed manner between a bottom side of the strap fastening element and a base of the central orifice that lies opposite, wherein preferably means for preventing the adjustment of the size of the hand strap are arranged in the clamping region and/or in the deflection region, and wherein particularly preferably these means are configured at least partially in the form of one or more clamping protrusions or clamping offset portions and/or corresponding recesses, steps or grooves in the mating surface, and wherein particularly preferably at least one rib running transverse to the direction of travel is arranged on the bottom side of the strap fastening element, and a corresponding step is arranged in the base of the central orifice that lies opposite.
Aspect 4: Pole handle according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the strap fastening element is fastened to the core of the pole handle in a tiltable manner by means of a transverse pin which is arranged along the axis of rotation (D) transverse to a direction of travel (L) and transverse to the pole handle longitudinal axis (S) in a passage opening of the core of the pole handle.
Aspect 5: Pole handle according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the strap fastening element is also fastened to the core of the pole handle by means of a direct or indirect connection which preferably simultaneously provides a guide function for the tilting movement between rest position (X1) and adjustment position (X2), and wherein, to this end, protrusions which at least partially engage in curved orifices in the side surfaces are particularly preferably provided on the core and/or on a separate element.
Aspect 6: Pole handle according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that latching elements are provided, which can arrest the strap fastening element with latching action in the rest position (X1) and/or in the adjustment position (X2),
Aspect 7: Pole handle according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the hand strap has a strap portion which encircles the hand of the user, and also has a deflection portion which adjoins the strap portion on one side, which is introduced into a slot-like passage opening of the strap fastening element and which is guided downwards in the central orifice around a deflection region of the strap fastening element, and a first free end which protrudes from the central orifice and which adjoins the deflection portion, wherein the hand strap also has a second end which is adjacent to the encircling strap portion and which is fastened to the strap fastening element, preferably to a front wall, arranged in the central orifice of the pole handle, of the strap fastening element, particularly preferably by way of a fastening means which is preferably a screw, a pin, a rivet, a hook, a material bond, including an adhesive bond, welded connection, application by injection moulding, or a combination thereof.
Aspect 8: Pole handle according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the strap fastening element has at least one orifice which is preferably arranged transverse to the direction of travel,
Aspect 9: Pole handle according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the pole handle has at least one, preferably clip-like, attachment which is connected to the strap fastening element and/or to the core in a form-fitting and releasable manner, wherein preferably the attachment has two side walls which converge in a front wall in the direction of travel (L) and which are connected towards the bottom in a front region by a base, wherein the side walls each have a free end which is directed rearward counter to the direction of travel (L) and on which a respective latching peg is arranged, and wherein the latching pegs engage in a respective curved guide channel arranged on opposite side walls of the strap fastening element, as a result of which the strap fastening element is guided in the central orifice of the pole handle during a tilting movement of the strap fastening element, and wherein preferably the at least one guide channel is formed along the curvature of a top portion of the strap fastening element.
Aspect 10: Pole handle according to aspect 9, characterized in that the attachment is connected to the core of the pole handle in a form-fitting and releasable manner, preferably by means of at least one latching connection.
Aspect 11: Pole handle according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the angle between the rest position (X1) and the adjustment position (X2) lies in the range from 20-90°, preferably in the range from 30-80°, particularly preferably in the range from 45-70°.
Aspect 12: Pole handle according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the pole handle has a first form-fitting connection between the core and the strap fastening element, and also a second form-fitting connection between the strap fastening element and the attachment and a third form-fitting connection between the core and the attachment.
Aspect 13: Pole handle according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the strap fastening element has a curved top portion which, in the fixed position, is integrated at least partially or in particular virtually completely in an outer contour of the head region.
Aspect 14: Method for assembling a pole handle according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the hand strap is fastened to the strap fastening element by way of a free end, and is subsequently introduced in the form of a module into the central orifice and fastened in the handle head in a tiltable manner by means of a transverse pin, wherein preferably prior to that or subsequently thereto, at least one attachment is pushed on and fastened to the handle head preferably in a self-latching manner, and by means of this attachment or regions thereof, the strap fastening element is additionally secured to the handle head and is preferably additionally guided for the tilting movement.
Aspect 15: Pole, in particular a trekking pole, ski pole, cross-country ski pole or Nordic walking pole, having a pole handle according to one of the preceding aspects.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which serve merely for elucidation and are not to be interpreted as restrictive. In the drawings:
A first preferred exemplary embodiment of the pole handle 1 according to the invention is illustrated in
The pole handle 1 (see
The core 1a of the pole handle 1 has, from the bottom, a central axial pole handle orifice 16 which is typically delimited towards the top towards the handle head, which is in the form of a blind hole and which is arranged substantially along the pole handle longitudinal axis S. The axial orifice 16 is used to receive and fasten a pole tube (not illustrated) or a tube portion of a pole, in particular of a ski pole, cross-country pole, trekking pole or of a Nordic walking pole.
The head region 2 of the pole handle 1 has a front region 2a pointing in the direction of travel L or a handle nose, wherein the direction of travel L is arranged substantially perpendicular to the pole handle longitudinal axis S and points away from the user of the pole handle 1. The head region 2 of the pole handle 1 is covered by the palm of the user when the user braces themselves from above on the pole handle. In the front region 2a of the head region 2, the pole handle 1 has an elevation 40 below the handle head 2 in the transition region to the handle region 3. Said elevation serves for gripping comfort particularly if the handle head is gripped at the top from behind and the fingers enclose this lower front region. It is then for example possible for the index finger to be placed into the recess in front of this elevation 40 and the middle finger to be placed into the recess behind this elevation 40, or shifted one finger position further, for the middle finger to be placed into the recess in front of the elevation 40 and the ring finger to be placed into the recess behind the elevation 40.
The head region 2 of the pole handle 1 has, on the top side, from the rear, a central orifice 11 for the purpose of receiving a strap fastening element 5 for a hand strap 4 (see for example
The core 1a has, as seen in the direction of travel L, a first, left-hand side wall 14a and a second, right-hand side wall 14b. Said side walls are open towards the rear side and converge in a front wall 14c in the front region 2a of the pole handle 1. In the upper and front handle region 2a, the side walls 14a, 14b are offset towards the inside in certain regions, as a result of which a shoulder 21 which is of partially encircling form in the peripheral direction U is formed. In the head region 2, in the aforementioned side walls 14, the core 1a has a plurality of apertures 12a-12f, 15. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, said apertures are realized by a first aperture 12a, a second aperture 12b and a third aperture 12c in the first, left-hand side wall 14a, and by a fourth aperture 12d, a fifth aperture 12e and a sixth aperture 12f in the second, right-hand side wall 14b of the core 1a. Here, in each case two apertures 12a, 12d (at the front), and 12b, 12e (in the middle), and 12c, 12f (at the rear), respectively, lie opposite one another in the head region 2 of the core 1a. The apertures each form an aperture area 12, that is to say a cross-sectional area of the respective passage opening.
In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of
The apertures 12a-12f in the side walls 14a, 14b are each separated from one another by webs 13a-13d and the foremost webs 13e and 13f in the respective side walls 14a, 14b. The webs 13a-13f run substantially from the top side or top surface 6 of the core 1a downward in the direction of the handle region 3 up to the partially encircling shoulder 21. The top surface 6, which is closed in this exemplary embodiment, is correspondingly supported by a multiplicity of webs 13, and the side walls and the top surface enclose a cavity 42 which runs in the direction of travel, said cavity transitioning into the orifice 11 towards the rear and being closed by the front wall 14c towards the front.
These webs may be oriented substantially parallel to the pole longitudinal axis, but may, as illustrated in this exemplary embodiment, preferably be oriented in the form of bionic structures so as to be adapted to the typical loading directions. Here, for example, the respectively rear webs 13b, 13d are inclined from the bottom to the top towards the rear, and the front webs 13a, 13c are inclined from the bottom to the top towards the front, respectively typically towards the rear at an angle of 30-60° with respect to the pole longitudinal axis, and towards the front at an angle of 20-45° with respect to the pole longitudinal axis. This produces to some extent a grid or mesh structure of the core 1a in the upper head region 2 for support of the top surface 6.
Furthermore, the top surface 6 is borne towards the rear on each side by an arcuate web 41, which connects the top surface 6 to the lower part of the core and laterally encloses and guides the strap fastening element 5.
The surface of the head region 2 of the pole handle 1, and thus the gripping surface, from above (see
The attachment element 7 engages around or covers the front region or the front wall 14c of the core 1a by means of the front wall 7c of the attachment element 7 configured, as it were, in the form of a clip in the head region 2 of the pole handle 1, and covers the flanks or side walls 14a, 14b of the core 1a by means of its two arms 7a, 7b which extend in each case laterally from the front wall 7c, as can be seen in the exploded view of
In the front region of the attachment 7, the latter has a base 7d (see
Instead of this base 7d with a corresponding aperture 7g, it is also possible (see
The apertures are all respectively overlapped or covered by a lateral arm 7a, 7b of the attachment. In the placed-on state, the front wall 7c and the side walls 7a, 7b of the attachment rest on the shoulder 21 of the core 1a, said shoulder encircling the head region 2 in the front region 2a and on the two sides and transitioning seamlessly with the curvature of the head region 2 into the rear region 2b. The arms 7a, 7b have a concave curvature which is directed towards the interior space 7m of the attachment 7.
The cover element 7 thus serves, inter alia, to seal, as it were, the open lightweight design comprising the webs, and thus to prevent dirt or similar from being able to penetrate into the handle head, and on the other hand to provide as smooth and transition-free a surface as possible for the handle. The cover element is typically and preferably manufactured from a transparent or translucent thermoplastic material, for example polyamide, polycarbonate, polyacrylate (e.g. PMMA), POM or a mixture of such materials, so that it is possible to view the internal structure.
At the free end of the respective first, left-hand arm 7a and of the second, right-hand arm 7b of the attachment, each arm 7a, 7b has a respective latching hook, latching web or latching peg 7e, 7f. This latching peg 7e, 7f extends from the respective arm 7a, 7b first inwards, that is to say towards the interior space 7m of the attachment 7, and then towards the upper rear side. These latching pegs 7e, 7f serve to fasten the attachment 7 to the strap fastening element 5, and thus indirectly to fasten the attachment to the core 1a, and also have a guide function for the strap fastening element 5, as described further below. In this case, the latching pegs 7e, 7f engage from the outside through the apertures 12c and 12f, respectively, and then engage in each case behind the arcuate web 41. In other words, the attachment 7 is pushed on from the front in an encompassing manner, engages by means of the latching pegs on the inner side around the webs 41 and locks in place further towards the front with the aperture 7g on the latching tongue 34.
The head region 2 of the pole handle 1 also has a rear region 2b, which faces the user of the pole handle and in which a hand strap 4 is fastened. In the illustrated first exemplary embodiment, the hand strap 4 is connected or coupled to the pole handle 1 by means of the strap fastening element 5 which is arranged in the central orifice 11 in the head region 2a of the pole handle 1 and which, in the embodiment illustrated, can be tilted by a movement shown in
In the illustrated first exemplary embodiment, a deflection portion 4b, which is guided around a deflection region 22 of the strap fastening element 5, is arranged between the strap portion 4a and the first, free strap end 4c (see in particular
The strap fastening element 5 according to the illustrated first exemplary embodiment of
In the rest position of the strap fastening element 5, the deflection portion 4b of the hand strap 4 is clamped in between the base 27 of the handle head orifice 11 and the bottom side or the base 5c of the strap fastening element 5. Here, the clamping is achieved substantially analogously to a labyrinth seal, in the form of a clamping portion 23 of the strap fastening element 5, said clamping portion being configured in the form of a protrusion 23 which is directed downward towards the base 27 of the handle head orifice 11. In this case, the friction fit is also accompanied to some extent by a form fit by way of the clamping edge or possibly also (several) clamping edges. The clamping force required for the fixing of the strap is, as a result of the labyrinth edge, significantly lower than in the case of a linear line of force, which enables an improved clamping action with identical clamping force or an identical clamping action with lower clamping force. For this purpose, the base 27 of the handle head orifice 11 has a clamping portion 27a which is configured in the form of a step 37 by means of an edge 11b. In the rest state of the strap fastening element, the strap band is clamped here between its deflection portion 4b and the first, free strap portion 4a, which protrudes outwardly from the passage opening 26, configured in the form of a channel, of the strap fastening element 5, by way of a friction fit between the protrusion 23 and the stepped portion 27b of the base 27 of the handle head orifice 11. The friction fit owing to the deflection of the free end of the strap band, after passage through the passage opening 26, downward and rearward around the strap fastening element, which may be reinforced in a deflection region 22 (see
As illustrated in
The strap fastening element 5 or folding element is illustrated in detail in
In order to save weight, the strap fastening element may have cutouts or windows 32 in those locations where, taking account of the loading, a configuration of solid material is not required. In general, the strap fastening element is preferably manufactured from a thermoplastic material, for example from polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, in each case possibly with (glass) fibre reinforcement, or mixtures of such materials.
The strap fastening element 5 also has a bottom side 37 which, in the rest state inserted in the pole handle orifice 11, is directed towards the base 27 of the central orifice 11 of the pole handle 1. The strap fastening element 5 also has a first, left-hand side surface 5a and a second, right-hand side surface 5b, which are arranged parallel to a plane E defined by the handle head longitudinal axis K1 and the pole handle longitudinal axis S and which extend parallel to the section plane A-A illustrated in
Arranged both in the first, left-hand side surface 5a and in the second, right-hand side surface 5b is a respective guide channel 28a and 28b, respectively, which is curved correspondingly to the rotary movement of the strap fastening element and which extends parallel to the curvature of the top portion 25, specifically from the bottom side 37 of the strap fastening element 5 (an open groove there) over a sub-region of the respective side wall 5a, 5b, and not completely up to the front wall 29 of the strap fastening element 5. This respective guide channel 28a, 28b serves not only for the aforementioned captive retainment of the element but also for the guidance of the strap fastening element 5 during the tilting operation about the axis of rotation or tilt axis 9 or about the pin 9. This guiding action is achieved in that the two above-described lateral latching pegs 7e, 7f of the attachment 7, which are likewise curved in a corresponding manner, engage or are arrested with latching action in these two guide channels 28a, 28b. This latching connection between the strap fastening element 5 and the attachment 7 connects the attachment 7 to the strap fastening element 5, and in this case also indirectly connects the attachment to the core 1a of the pole handle 1 via the strap fastening element 5. The latching connection thus at the same time provides a guide function for the rotation of the strap fastening element 5 between the latching position and the adjustment position, and also a captive-securement action for the attachment 7 on the core 1a of the pole handle 1.
Arranged in both side surfaces 5a, 5b of the strap fastening element 5 is a respective latching channel 33a, 33b in which a respective latching ridge 31a, 31b, directed inwards from the side wall 14a, 14b of the core 1a, engages in the rest position, that is to say in the non-tilted position of the strap fastening element 5. In this case, the latching channels 30a, 30b each run substantially parallel to the bottom surface 37 of the strap fastening element 5. The latching ridges 31a, 31b run substantially parallel to the base 27 of the central orifice 11 of the core 1a.
Each side wall 5a, 5b of the strap fastening element 5 also has a respective further latching channel 33a, 33b, which intersects the first and second latching channel 30a, 30b, respectively, at an acute angle. The point of intersection of the first latching channel 30a with the third latching channel 33c in the first side wall 5a of the strap fastening element 5, and the point of intersection of the second latching channel 30b with the fourth latching channel 33d in the second side wall 5b of the strap fastening element 5, is defined by the passage opening 38 in the strap fastening element 5 or by the receiving channel for the transverse pin 9 for the tiltable connection of the strap fastening element 5 to the pole handle core 1a. In the non-tilted rest state as per
The strap fastening element 5 also has a front surface 29 which is directed towards the direction of travel L and the surface of which extends at an angle of less than 90° with respect to the bottom surface 27 of the strap fastening element 5. An orifice 10a is arranged substantially centrally in this front surface 29, said orifice serving to receive a fastening means 10 for the second strap end 4d. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of
If the strap fastening element 5 is replaced or is removed for example for the exchange of the hand strap, the attachment 7 can first be removed from the core 1a and from the strap fastening element 5, that is to say the latching connection between the latching pegs 7e, 7f on the arms 7a, 7b of the attachment 7 and the strap fastening element 5 can be released by spreading the arms 7a, 7b apart from one another. As a result of this spreading-out operation, the latching connection between the latching tongue 34 of the core 1a and the latching lugs 7g, 7h on the base 7d of the attachment 7 is also released. Subsequently (or even already prior to that), the transverse pin 9 can be pushed out of the passage opening 8a in the strap fastening element 5 and out of the through-opening 8 below the head region 2 of the core 1a, for example by means of a pin of smaller diameter. By pulling the strap fastening element 5 towards the rear along the latching ridge 31a, 31b, it is possible to remove the strap fastening element 5 from the central orifice 11 of the core 1a.
Alternatively, it is possible to first push the transverse pin 9 out of the passage opening 8a in the strap fastening element 5 and out of the through-opening 8 below the head region 2 of the core 1a, for example by means of a pin of smaller diameter. Then, by spreading the arms 7a, 7b apart from one another and by pulling the strap fastening element 5 towards the top or towards the rear, it is possible to remove the strap fastening element 5 from the central orifice 11 of the core 1a. Subsequently, the attachment 7 is removed from the core 1a, that is to say the latching connection between the latching pegs 7e, 7f on the arms 7a, 7b of the attachment 7 is released.
In order to assemble the pole handle 1 during production or after the replacement or repair of the strap fastening element 5 or of the hand strap 4, either the strap fastening element 5 is first inserted into the central orifice 11 of the handle head 2 of the pole handle 1 substantially from the rear along the longitudinal axis K1 of the head region 2 and along the latching ridges 31a, 31b and fastened to the core 1a of the pole handle 1 by means of the transverse pin 9, as described above, and subsequently the attachment 7 is pushed from the front onto the core 1a of the pole handle 1 for the further, indirect connection of the strap fastening element 5 to the core 1a of the pole handle 1. Or, in the reverse order, first the attachment is placed on and then the strap fastening element 5 is inserted and fastened in the central orifice 11 of the handle head 2 of the pole handle 1.
A variant of the handle as per
Advantageously, as illustrated in dashed form in the figure, the slot 46 is designed with a meandering profile 47, in particular such that, as a result, a captive-securement action is ensured to some extent, and a form fit or even a force fit between the upper and the lower part may also be provided to some extent. In a preferred variant, the meandering slot 46 has longitudinal portions 50 of the edges, which run along the axis of the pole, and transverse portions 51 of the edges, which run in the peripheral direction and perpendicular to the axis of the pole. Preferably, the longitudinal edges of the meandering slot from the upper part and lower part join one another in a virtually play-free manner or even in sliding abutment or specifically even in a frictionally rubbing manner in order to achieve as precise an orientation of the two handle parts as possible with respect to rotation about the pole axis. In a further advantageous manner, in the case of an assembled sheathing, the meandering slot forms, in terms of its transverse profile with respect to the pole axis, at the transverse edges 51, a spacing 52 between the end-side contact surfaces of the two sleeve portions of the handle parts. Overdeterminacy of the handle parts is thereby avoided. Independently of the other further features of the exemplary embodiment, which is used here for the purpose of illustration, this design of the slot is advantageous and considered to be in accordance with the invention.
Such a handle head is assembled by initially providing the upper region 48, subsequently pushing the sheathing 43 from below onto the cylindrical region 45, and then pushing the lower region 49 from below into the then exposed lower opening in the sheathing 43. The parts are connected together by providing adhesives between the sheathing and the upper region 48 and the lower region 49; connecting means may additionally be provided between the upper region 48 and the lower region 49. Since, in the end, this region is fixed by the pushed-in pole tube, it may be sufficient for an adhesive bond from the respective region 48/49 to the sheathing 43 to be provided.
In an analogous manner, it is moreover also possible for the elastomer region already mentioned above to be arranged on the bottom side of the handle head in the region of the elevation 40 in a corresponding recess in the hard core material. However, such an elastomer region is typically not produced as a separate component, but is more easily injection-moulded directly onto the hard core material in a two-component process.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20185606.9 | Jul 2020 | EP | regional |
| 20185607.7 | Jul 2020 | EP | regional |
| 20121352.7 | Dec 2020 | EP | regional |
| 20212353.5 | Dec 2020 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/068293 | 7/2/2021 | WO |
