The present invention relates to a pole for use as a piece of sports equipment, in particular as a Nordic walking pole, according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.
The prior art discloses a large number of Nordic walking poles, not least since Nordic walking is highly popular with a wide section of the population.
WO 2005/120281 discloses such a Nordic walking pole which comprises a handle with a strap, a pole shaft, a pole tip and, in the region of the pole tip, a rubber buffer. The pole tip here can be displaced axially in the direction of the pole axis such that the tip extends out of the rolling surface of the rubber buffer or that the tip is fully retracted, in which case there are no parts of the tip extending beyond the rolling surface. For this purpose, the buffer is typically rotated by a certain angle about the pole axis, displaced axially and then rotated back again by the same angle. Accordingly, depending on the type of terrain, the user can select whether the pole is to be used with the rubber buffer or with the tip extended. When walking through woods or across fields with relatively coarse stones or gravel and a soft terrain, the user selects, for example, the extended tip. When walking on an asphalted road with a hard, usually more or less smooth surface, the user preferably selects the rubber buffer.
CH 384 148 discloses a protective device for pole tips. The protective device mentioned can be displaced axially along the pole axis and can be secured by an adjusting screw or a quick-acting clamping means. The protective sleeve here can assume different positions, namely, for example, a position in which the pole tip is released or one in which the pole tip is protected. The protective sleeve here is clamped in a force-fitting manner by means of a force which is applied radially to the circumference of the pole shaft by the adjusting screw or the quick-acting clamping means.
The disadvantage with the prior-art poles is generally the fact that changing over from using the tip to the rubber buffer or from using the rubber buffer to the tip is a rather complicated and laborious task.
A further disadvantage stems from the fact that, in the event of a relatively large force being applied in the axial direction, that is to say in the direction of the pole axis, many such rubber buffers could be displaced in the axial direction.
In addition, adjustable pole tips are susceptible to soiling. In particular on wet paths, dirt can accumulate between the pole tip and the pole shaft. Since only a small amount of play should be provided between the pole tip and pole shaft, the ingress of dirt can impede movement of the pole tip or even lead to such movement not being possible.
Taking this prior art as the departure point, it is an object of the invention to provide a pole, in particular a Nordic walking pole, of which the bottom region can be straightforwardly and reliably converted, so as not to be affected by soiling, from a situation in which a rubber buffer rests on the ground during use into a situation in which a tip rests on the ground, or vice versa, that is to say it is possible to change over from the tip to the rubber buffer.
This object is achieved by a pole having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous configurations of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.
Accordingly, a pole, in particular a Nordic walking pole, comprises a pole body with a tip body and a buffer provided at its bottom end. The buffer is mounted such that it can be displaced and secured in an axial direction in relation to the pole body. The buffer can be secured in at least two axially different positions in relation to the pole body via a form-fitting connection. The tip body and/or the lowermost portion of the pole body are/is arranged to pass through a central axial opening in the buffer, and the buffer is mounted such that it can be displaced and secured in an axial direction in relation to the pole body in this central opening.
The buffer of such a pole can be moved particularly reliably and straightforwardly according to the object of the invention so as not to be affected by soiling.
The tip body preferably has a latching guide means. A latching body mounted in the buffer can engage in a form-fitting manner in this latching guide means in order to secure the axial position.
This allows a particularly good connection between the pole and buffer which is particularly resistant to the forces which arise when the pole is being used, in which case undesirable displacement is not possible.
The latching body can preferably be moved from a first position, in which the buffer is blocked in a form-fitting manner in respect of movement relative to the pole body, into a second position, in which the buffer can be displaced axially relative to the pole body.
Such a movement of the latching body makes it possible for the user of the pole to adjust the buffer particularly straightforwardly.
It has generally proven advantageous, precisely in the case of such complex and therefore costly designs of the buffer, if that region of the buffer which is subjected to wear, in other words both the hard tip and the rolling region, is or are configured in an exchangeable manner. A preferred embodiment is correspondingly distinguished by the provision, e.g. on the underside of the buffer, on the rolling surface of the latter, of an exchangeable region, in particular a profiled region (a profiled sole), which forms the rolling surface, wherein the region can be fitted on the top portion of the buffer via force-fitting and/or form-fitting connecting means.
The invention will be described in more detail herein-below with the aid of the exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings, in which:
The invention as defined in the appended claims will be explained hereinbelow with the aid of the exemplary embodiments. It should be emphasized that the exemplary embodiments which will now be mentioned are to be understood exclusively as supporting and illustrating the subject matter defined in the appended claims and should not be used to interpret these claims in a restrictive manner.
In addition, a handle with corresponding hand straps may be arranged in a top region (not shown).
The pole according to the invention is always used in the same direction of orientation by the user. This direction of orientation is designated by way of a direction of travel 100. A first plane extends in this direction of travel 100 and through the center axis 11. This first plane is congruent with the section plane A-A. A second plane passes likewise through the center axis 11 and is located perpendicularly to the direction of travel 100. Accordingly, the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane. This second plane is congruent with the section plane B-B.
The tip body 2 is preferably fixed to the pole body 1. The method of connection may vary. The tip body 2 is particularly preferably screwed and/or adhesively bonded into the pole body 1. A press connection is likewise conceivable. Provided the pole body 1 and the tip body 2 consist of a weldable material, they may also be welded to one another. This connection means that the tip body 2 cannot be displaced relative to the pole body 1.
The tip body preferably has a top portion 2a, a middle portion 2b and a bottom portion 2c.
The top portion 2a has a cylindrical external shape 21 and has a diameter which corresponds essentially to the diameter of the inner side 13 of the pole body 1. The external shape 21, however, may also comprise, for example, a thread, in which case the tip body 2 can be screwed into the pole body 1. In addition, the top portion 2a has a flange 22 which has a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the inner side 13. As a result of this flange 22, it is possible for forces to be better transmitted in the direction of the pole axis from the tip body 2 to the pole body 1. In addition, the flange 22 prevents the tip body 2 from possibly being displaced in the direction of the center axis 11 as a result of forces which arise from the pole being used.
The middle portion 2b, in this exemplary embodiment, has an essentially rectangular cross section. The latching guide means 4 is arranged in this portion 2b of the tip body 2. The latching guide means 4 serves for blocking the buffer 3 in a form-fitting manner in defined positions. In the present, first exemplary embodiment, the latching guide means 4 is in the form of a slot 41. The slot 41 runs parallel to the center axis of the tip body 2 or of the pole body 1, respectively, and has a widened portion 42, 43 at each of its ends, in this case a circular top widened portion 42 and a circular bottom widened portion 43. As seen in the direction of the center axis 11, the widened portions 42, 43 are wider than the slot, that is to say the diameter of the widened portions 42, 43 is larger than the width of the slot.
The tip body 2 has a cylindrical cross section in the bottom portion 2c. Cylindrical or rectangular or square cross sections are particularly preferred. In addition, the tip body 2 has a recess 23 (blind hole) extending in the direction of the center axis 11. The recess 23 serves for accommodating the tip 24. The tip 24 is connected to the tip body 2 via a press connection, adhesive-bonding connection, weld connection or screw connection.
The tip body 2 is preferably produced from aluminum or steel. The tip 21 is advantageously produced from a possibly coated metal or sintered material (preferably sintered hard metal) with a high level of hardness or from possibly coated ceramic material, such that the tip has the necessary robustness in relation to impact, wear and shocks which arise during use.
A sleeve 7 is arranged likewise in the bottom region 1a of the pole body 1. The sleeve 7 here encloses the pole body on its outer side 12. The sleeve 7 has a tubular portion 71. A top end of the sleeve has a flange 72. The bottom end, opposite the flange 72, is designated with reference numeral 73. The sleeve here is pushed onto the pole body 1 with the flange 72 in front. The sleeve 7 serves, in particular, as a sliding sleeve for the buffer 3. As is shown in
The buffer 3 comprises essentially a top portion 3a, a bottom portion 3b and a rolling portion 3c with a rolling surface 35. As can be seen in
If the tip body 2 is projecting out of the buffer 3, typically only the tip body 2 comes into contact with the ground. In the case of soft ground, into which the tip can sink, the buffer 3 can assist movement.
In the top portion 3a, the buffer 3 has a cylindrical opening 31, of which the shape is adapted to the external shape 71 of the sleeve 7. In addition, the top portion 3a has accommodating openings 32, which can accommodate parts of the bottom portion 3b (which virtually is a profiled sole which is possibly exchangeable or can be structured in different ways or produced from a different material—e.g. with different frictional properties). In particular in the case of a comparatively complex and therefore costly tip design like the one proposed here, this exchangeability may be very advantageous in the event of wear. The bottom portion 3b may be configured in different ways here. For example, it is possible for the bottom portion 3b or the parts in the bottom portion 3b, respectively, to be provided with spikes. In other embodiments, the bottom portion 3b has a profiled rolling surface. A latching opening 34 which extends perpendicularly to the axis of the cylindrical opening 31 serves for accommodating the latching element 5. The latching opening 34 extends all the way through the buffer 3, and the latching opening 34 thus intersects the cylindrical opening 31. In the present exemplary embodiment, the latching opening 34 is located perpendicularly to the direction of travel 100. As an alternative, however, it is possible for the latching opening 34 to assume some other position in relation to the direction of travel 100. For example, the latching opening 34 may also be parallel to the direction of travel 100.
The bottom portion 3b serves as a connection between the rolling portion 3c and the first portion 3a. The first portion 3a preferably consists of a hard plastics material, e.g. PA, PP, POM; in this case good levels of strength and dimensional stability are relevant, but the friction, in contrast, is essentially irrelevant. That region of the profiled sole which rests on the ground, i.e. in any case the region 3c (3b may also consist of a hard material), is soft with good static friction in relation to the ground, and is therefore made, for example, of rubber, elastomer, silicone, TPE or TPU. If the buffer is not configured in two parts with a profiled sole, then its rolling surface may also have such a coating.
The buffer 3 can be pushed onto the sleeve 7, which is connected to the pole body 1, by way of its opening 31. The buffer can be displaced in the direction of the center axis 11, as will be described hereinbelow, between a top position and a bottom position. If the buffer 3 is located in the top position, then at least the tip 24 or parts of the tip body 2 projects/project beyond the rolling surface 35. If the buffer 3 is in the bottom position, the tip is fully enclosed by the buffer 3 and there are no parts of the tip projecting beyond the rolling surface 35. As an alternative, it is also possible for the buffer 3 to be fitted on the pole body 1 without a sleeve 7.
In the present, first exemplary embodiment, the latching body is in the form of a latching bolt 5. The latching bolt 5 comprises a latching-bolt pin 51 and a latching-bolt disk 52 (e.g. securing nut, securing ring, latching disk or rivet).
The latching-bolt pin 51 is of essentially cylindrical configuration and has an actuating flange 53, a spring portion 54, a release portion 55, a securing portion 56 and a fastening portion 57. The actuating flange 53 preferably has a larger diameter than the other portions 54 to 57. The diameter of the release portion 55 is smaller than the diameter of the securing portion 56. The securing portion 56 may also be referred to as a partially or wholly encircling groove or channel. The diameters of the spring portion 54, of the securing portion 56 and of the fastening portion 57 are preferably equal. The diameter of the securing portion 56 is essentially equal to, or insignificantly smaller than, the diameter of the circular bottom widened portion 42 or top portion 43 of the latching guide means 4. The fastening portion 57 has, for example, a thread on its outer side.
The latching-bolt disk 52 is essentially a disk with a concentric opening 58 containing, for example, a thread. The latching-bolt disk 52 may also be configured as a nut, possibly with a cylindrical external shape (knurled nut is also possible). The latching-bolt disk 52 may be connected to the fastening portion 57 of the latching-bolt pin 51. In addition, the connection may be secured with an adhesive or a deformable plastic ring which is positioned in the opening 58. Other securing means are likewise conceivable.
The latching bolt 5 is arranged perpendicularly to the center axis 11 and perpendicularly to the direction of travel 100. In this exemplary embodiment, the center axis 59 of the latching bolt 5 intersects the center axis 11 of the pole body 1. The latching bolt 5 can assume essentially two positions, namely a position in which it blocks the buffer 3 and in which the buffer 3 is blocked in a form-fitting manner in respect of axial movement, and a position in which it releases the buffer 3 and in which the buffer 3 can be moved axially. The two positions will be referred to hereinbelow as the blocking position or release position, respectively.
A spring 6 is arranged, in the region of the spring portion 54, in the opening 34. The opening 34 has a protrusion-like, preferably circumferential tapered portion or a shoulder, on which the internally arranged end of the spring 6 rests. The spring 6 here acts on the buffer 3 via this shoulder and on the latching bolt 5 via the actuating flange 53. The spring 6 provides a restoring force which acts in the direction of the center axis of the latching bolt 5. The restoring force of the spring here acts in a direction which displaces the latching bolt 5 from the release position into the blocking position. Accordingly, the latching bolt 5 is retained in the blocking position by the spring 6, and the spring 6 displaces the latching bolt 5 from the release position into the blocking position.
By virtue of an adjusting force F, which is greater than the spring force and acts counter to the same, being applied, the latching bolt 5 can be moved in the direction of its center axis 59 from the blocking position into the release position. This is shown in
In order to block the buffer 3 in a position between the top position and the bottom position, further widened portions 42, 43 may be arranged in the region of the slot 41, in which case it is also possible for the latching bolt 5 to assume a blocking position when the buffer 3 is in a position other than the top position or bottom position.
In other words, it may also be said that the present latching guide means is a latching guide means according to the first exemplary embodiment of which the center axis is located essentially on the surface of the tip body 2. This results in a structure which contains virtually merely half of the slots and of the two openings.
In the second exemplary embodiment, a latching bolt 5 likewise serves as the latching body. The axis of the latching bolt 5 is offset in relation to the center axis 11. This means that, rather than intersecting the center axis 11, the axis of the latching bolt 5 is arranged virtually tangentially.
The configuration of the latching bolt 5 and of the latching guide means 4 allows the two elements to interact with one another in a manner similar to the first exemplary embodiment.
The tip body 2 has a cylindrical external shape essentially in all three regions 2a-2c. In the top region 2a, it has a plurality of, in this case three, at least partially circumferential channels 25. In the middle region 2b, the tip body 2 contains the latching guide means 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the latching guide means 4 is in the form of a top recess 47 and of a bottom recess 48, which are made in the surface of the tip body 2. The bottom region 2c is configured in a manner essentially identical to the first two exemplary embodiments.
The tip body 2, in this exemplary embodiment, is connected to the pole body 1 via the sleeve 7. The channels 25 here form a form-fitting connection between the sleeve 7 and pole body 1. Accordingly, such a connection is usually made by injection molding, but it is also possible to achieve this connection via adhesive bonding, screw connection or the like.
Such a connection is likewise possible in the case of the first and second exemplary embodiments. In the same way, in the third exemplary embodiment, it is also possible for a connection between the tip body 2 and pole body 1 to be configured as it is in the first and the second exemplary embodiments.
In its top region, the buffer 3 has an opening 39 which is configured in order to accommodate the latching lever 8. It is likewise the case, as in the above described exemplary embodiments, that the buffer 3 slides on the sleeve 7 from a top position into a bottom position. As has already been described above, in the top position of the buffer, parts of the tip body 2 project beyond the rolling surface 35. As soon as the buffer 3 is located in the bottom position, the tip body 2 is fully accommodated by the buffer 3 and there are no parts of the tip body 2 projecting beyond the rolling surface 35.
The configuration which will be described hereinbelow allows the latching lever 8 to be actuated by means of an actuating force which is illustrated by an arrow F and can be applied to the latching lever directly by hand.
The latching lever 8 has essentially an actuating region 8a and a latching region 8b. The actuating region 8a has a blind hole 81 for accommodating a restoring spring 6. The latching region 8b has a latching protrusion 82. The latching protrusion 82 here is located essentially perpendicularly to the latching lever 8 and can engage in corresponding openings or recesses 47, 48 in the tip body 2. It is also possible for the latching protrusion 82 to be cylindrical and to engage in cylindrical holes in the tip body. The hinge 83 is arranged between the actuating region 8a and the latching region 8b. The latching lever 8 is connected to the buffer 3 via this hinge 83, and the latching lever 8 can execute a tilting movement about this hinge 83.
The restoring spring 6 ensures that the lever is restored from the release position into the blocking position. The spring 6 is arranged between the latching lever 8 and the buffer 3.
In
In order for the buffer 3 to be secured again in the top position or in the bottom position, respectively, the buffer has to be located in the axial direction such that the latching pin 9 is level with the top recess 47 or with the bottom recess 48, respectively. The buffer 3 can then be rotated about the pole axis 11, such that the latching pin 9 can engage in a form-fitting manner in the top recess 47 or in the bottom recess 48.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1521-06 | Sep 2006 | CH | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/CH07/00451 | 9/17/2007 | WO | 00 | 1/21/2009 |