This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2013/058040 filed Apr. 18, 2013, claiming priority based on Swiss Patent Application No. 00703/12 filed May 18, 2012, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
The present invention relates to a pole grip, in particular for walking sticks, trekking poles, alpine ski poles, cross-country ski poles and Nordic walking poles. The pole grip has a grip body with a hook-like device for fastening a hand-retaining device in particular in the form of a hand loop or a glove. The invention further relates to a hand-retaining device, which cooperates optimally with such a pole grip.
In such a device which is known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,150, a hook is provided on the pole grip and a rigid and clip-shaped device formed from a metal bend is provided on the appurtenant glove in the region between thumb and forefinger. The clip is inserted with its long leg into a narrow slot of the hook and by means of the hook-like device the clip and therefore the glove are fixed on the pole grip.
At the same time, a slight expansion of the slot is provided in the hook at the bottom, which has the result that during insertion into the hook the clip initially presses the two legs of the hook slightly apart and the legs only return into the original position when the clip has been pushed into the expansion.
An elastic deformation of the hook-like device is thus used to ensure a light fixing of the clip in the hook and to avoid a simple slipping of the clip out from the hook.
A problem with such devices is inter alia the fact that repeated deformations of such components, which are usually formed from plastic or metal, are undesirable as a result fatigue effects.
Furthermore, the problem arises in particular that the elastic deformation behaviour of materials is highly temperature-dependent. Consequently, the fixing effect which is obtained due to the deformation is neither adjustable nor constant for different temperatures.
This is in particular absolutely unacceptable in the sports area, since very large temperature differences on the one hand due to different weather conditions and on the other hand due to heating during use, are unavoidable.
Known from WO 2006/066423 is a pole grip having a grip body and having a hook-like device for fastening a hand-retaining device, in particular in the form of a hand loop or a glove. In this case, latching means are disposed in the region of the hook-like device in such a manner that a loop-shaped, ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped device, which is inserted from above into the hook-like device and which is provided on the hand-retaining device, is fixed in the hook-like device in a self-latching fashion, in the manner of a latching mandrel. This self-latching mechanism simplifies the handling and can be combined with a safety release in the event of a heavy load acting in the opening direction of the hook-like device. However, it proves to be problematical that the loop-shaped, ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped device can be twisted about the latching mandrel and the direction control in use can thereby be negatively influenced. A corresponding hand-retaining device suitable for such a pole grip is known from WO 2006/066424.
This is where the present invention intervenes and solves the problems of the prior art by a pole grip according to claim 1 or an appurtenant hand loop or an appurtenant glove according to claim 9 or a combination of these two elements according to claim 14.
Specifically the invention relates to a pole grip, in particular for walking sticks, trekking poles, alpine ski poles, cross-country ski poles and Nordic walking poles comprising a grip body and comprising a hook-like device for fastening a hand-retaining device, in particular in the form of a hand loop or a glove, wherein displaceable or twistable latching means are arranged in the area of the hook-like device in such a manner that a loop-shaped, ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped device inserted into the hook-like device (latching mandrel) substantially from above, which is provided on the hand-retaining device, is fixed in the hook-like device in a self-latching manner. The problem of the twistability of the device about the hook-like device is solved whereby means are provided on the hook-like device which prevent any twisting of a loop-shaped, ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped device fastened on the hook-like device about the longitudinal axis of the hook-like device by means of form closure. This specifically involves an improvement in a design as is known from WO 2006/066423 and accordingly the disclosure content of this application is expressly included in the disclosure content of the present application.
According to a first preferred embodiment, these means can be configured in the form of a groove in the hook-like device extending along the longitudinal axis, which then interacts with a corresponding rib on the hand-retaining device by means of form closure.
Alternatively or however also additionally and according to a second preferred embodiment, these means can comprise means in the form of a rib on the hook-like device extending along the longitudinal axis, which then interacts with a corresponding groove in the hand-retaining device by means of form closure.
According to a further preferred embodiment, such a pole grip is characterized in that the means are configured in the form of a groove in the hook-like device extending along the longitudinal axis and that the groove is provided in the rear surface of the hook-like device facing away from the grip body and extends from the upper-side tip of the hook-like device, where the groove is configured to be open, downwards over the entire length of the hook-like device and is closed at the lower end by a groove boundary.
The groove above that region in which a loop-shaped, ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped device inserted into the hook-like device is captured in a slot between the hook-like device and the grip head is here not only important for the insertion phase but also during use. If a corresponding rib is specifically provided on the hand-retaining device as preferably above the device, during a pivoting movement of the grip from the hand this engages in this groove and also stabilizes positively in this pivoting phase before any twisting of hand loop relative to the pole grip. Thus, a stabilization is ensured over the entire movement range within the framework of the prescribed use.
At the same time, according to a further preferred embodiment, this groove boundary is disposed in relation to the grip head below that region in which a loop-shaped, ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped device inserted into the hook-like device is captured in a slot between the hook-like device and the grip head. This means that the loop-shaped, ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped device is inserted, the corresponding stabilization is also ensured below this device which is particularly important when the hand grips the pole grip.
A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the groove over its length has a substantially constant width b transverse to the longitudinal axis of the hook-like device and at the upper end preferably has a region which expands upwards.
A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the groove has a recess, preferably in the form of a circular or polygonal blind hole, in the region of the groove boundary in the groove base. This recess is preferably disposed below that region in which a loop-shaped, ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped device inserted into the hook-like device is captured in a slot between the hook-like device and the grip head and is used for particularly good stabilization in that phase where the hand grips the pole grip. For this purpose a specific guide pin is then provided on the hand-retaining device below the device, as will be explained in further detail below.
Further preferably, the groove can be configured as a U-shaped groove with flanks standing parallel to one another and groove base disposed perpendicular thereto, or with flanks converging slightly towards the groove base, wherein preferably the depth t of the groove as far as the groove base is in the region of 0.5-4 mm, particularly preferably in the range of 0.75-1.5 mm.
The width b of the groove is preferably in the range of 0.1-0.75 times the width B of the hook-like device at its half height between tip and region for loop-shaped, ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped device inserted in the hook-like device, wherein preferably the width b corresponds to 0.25-0.5 times this width B of the hook-like device. Particularly preferably the width b lies in the range of 0.2-0.7 cm, quite particularly preferably in the range of 0.3-0.7 cm.
The length of the hook-like device measured from the tip thereof facing the grip head as far as the region in which a loop-shaped, ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped device inserted in the hook-like device is captured in a slot between the hook-like device and the grip head lies further preferably in the range of 2-4.5 cm, particularly preferably in the range of 3-4 cm.
Further preferably, the width B of the hook-like device lies in the range of 1-1.5 cm and particularly preferably tapers towards the tip over a length of 1.5-2 cm in rounded form.
In addition, the cross-sectional surface of the hook-like device is preferably configured to be oval or lens-shaped with the long axis transverse to the pole grip and to the prescribed running direction, wherein the short axis except in the tip-side tapering region has a length in the range of 0.3-1.5 cm, preferably in the range of 0.5-1 cm.
As already mentioned, the present invention additionally relates to a corresponding hand-retaining device, in the sense of key/lock for the afore-mentioned pole grip, in particular in the form of a glove or a hand loop for use with a pole grip as described above. Such a hand-retaining device is particularly preferably characterized in that in the region between thumb and forefinger, a loop-shaped, ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped device which is inherently flexible but nevertheless positionally stable in space is provided. In this respect this therefore comprises an improvement of a hand-retaining device as is already known from WO 2006/066424 and accordingly the disclosure content of this application is expressly included in this disclosure content in the present case.
The new proposed hand-retaining device here additionally has means provided substantially parallel to the opening axis of the device above and/or below the device, which means prevent any twisting of the loop-shaped, ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped device fastened on the hook-like device about the longitudinal axis of the hook-like device by means of form closure by engaging in the groove in the hook-like latching device.
Particularly preferably the loop-shaped, ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped device which is inherently flexible but nevertheless positionally stable in space comprises a loop of a flexible material which has sufficient intrinsic stiffness so that it is stabilized in a position in the space between thumb and forefinger which enables a simple insertion via the hook or retaining mandrel and which on the other hand is not perceptible or barely perceptible in use. Loops of multifilament mesh, cable or wire which can optionally be coated on the surface, for example, are possible. In principle, other elements are suitable as material for such loops such as, for example low-elongation and tension-stable textile fibres encased in a fabric tube or cord or cable-like braided retaining elements using corresponding low-elongation plastic materials such as, for example, aramid, polyethylene, in particular highly stretched UHMWPE such as Dyneema etc. When using such materials for the loop, cords having a thickness of 1-5 mm are most suitable, with a thickness of 2-3 mm being preferable. In order to give the loop sufficient intrinsic stiffness, such cords can be provided with stiffening elements such as, for example, a “core” of monofilament nylon or woven fibres of stiffer materials such as, for example, Nylon or thin metal wires. It is shown that a cable having a thickness in the range of 0.5-2.5 mm, preferably in the range of 1-2 mm is particularly suitable.
The, for example, braided or twist-laid cable can be coated with a different material such as, for example, plastic. Alternatively it is possible to make the loop from a plastic material, also for example, strip-shaped, preferably from a fibre-reinforced plastic, for example, polyamide, PE, PP or similar are suitable, where combined materials with a layer structure are possible and particularly preferably reinforcements with fibres, for example, made of aramid, can be provided.
The loop preferably protrudes between 5-20 mm, in particular between 5-10 mm beyond the saddle region between forefinger and thumb. In this case, the direction of the loop is to a certain extent substantially the angle bisector between the direction of thumb and forefinger.
It is possible to configure the loop to be adjustable, where this adjustability is provided on the one hand to specifically adjust the length to the user or however, also when the loop is not required, to withdraw this so that it is no longer perceptible during use. It is also possible to stow the loop, when not being used, in a small pocket provided between forefinger and thumb in the saddle region, which is provided in the hand-retaining device. The latter possibility is constructively particularly simple and in view of the intrinsic stiffness of the loop, the loop can be accommodated in such a pocket on the one hand and on the other hand remains provided substantially without special measures in the pocket during use of the hand-retaining device when not specially manipulated.
In order to ensure the best possible coupling of the forces acting on the loop to the hand-retaining device, the wire/the cable of the loop can at least partially be guided in or on the hand-retaining device in the direction of the wrist. It is also possible to make a combination with an adjustable device as described in DE 19751978 C2 whose disclosure in this regard is expressly included. Instead of the rigid connecting element mentioned in this document, simply a flexible loop is provided. The loop is in particular substantially less disturbing when using the glove without interaction with the pole.
Preferably, the hand-retaining device according to a first embodiment is therefore characterized in that the loop consists of a flexible plastic cord having intrinsic stiffness. Preferably the loop here is fastened substantially immovably on the hand-retaining device but the loop per se is configured to be movable.
As already mentioned, the hand-retaining device can comprise a glove or however also a hand loop which has three openings and which can be fastened to the hand particularly preferably with the aid of a hook and loop fastener, where a first opening is provided for the thumb, a second opening is provided for the other fingers or the back of the hand and a third opening of the hand loop for the wrist.
According to a preferred embodiment, such a hand-retaining device is now characterized in that the means are configured in the form of a groove extending along the opening axis in the hand-retaining device for positive interaction with the pole grip during use. This then interacts with a corresponding rib or projections in or on the pole grip.
Alternatively or additionally, this means can also be configured in the form of a rib extending along the opening axis and/or in the form of at least one projection disposed on this axis. These then interact with a corresponding groove or recess in the hook-like device of the pole grip.
A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the means are configured in the form of a rib extending along the opening axis on a region of the hand-retaining device facing the pole grip when used as prescribed.
The rib is preferably provided at least on the side disposed above the device when used as prescribed, wherein the rib preferably has a length of 5-25 mm, particularly preferably in the range of 10-15 mm and a width preferably in the range of 0.2-0.7 cm, particularly preferably in the range of 0.3-0.7 cm.
According to a preferred embodiment, such a rib can be formed from a thermoplastic material and with a substantially rectangular or square cross-sectional area, EPDM, TPU, TPE. From the production technology viewpoint and also with regard to stability and durability, such a construction is particularly suited when an attachment made of such a thermoplastic material is provided which has a wide base region and the said rib is formed thereon, typically in one piece. Likewise, a guide pin can be disposed on this base region and this entire unit can accordingly then be fastened on a textile material of the hand loop, whether by gluing and/or by sewing or both. Moulding on is also possible. If the rib is arranged above the device and the guide pin below, between these two elements the base region can be formed by a narrow web which connects rib and guide pin and runs through the region of the device. It is also possible that the guide pin is formed as a separate screw or rivet which is screwed or riveted through the loop strip or welded to the back.
Alternatively, the rib can be provided by a sewn-in, welded-in or glued-in shaped piece. This is sewn in, welded in or glued in so that it forms an elongated rib running between thumb and forefinger and projecting towards the hand grip. In other words, according to a further preferred embodiment, the rib can be formed by a flat material strip which includes an elongated shaped piece extending along the opening axis, which produces the rib curvature. In this design, the rib preferably extends from below the eyelet to above and through this. The shaped piece can either be provided by means of a separate material strip which is sewn on, glued on or welded on and encloses the shaped piece but the shaped piece can also be provided in a multilayer design of the hand loop in this region between thumb and forefinger without separate additional material strips. The material strip preferably comprises a woven or felt-like textile strip, a plastic strip or a leather strip or a strip of a combination of such materials. Typically when the material strip is configured as a separate sewn-on element, it is longer than the shaped piece and the latter is preferably enclosed with a preferably circumferential seam, gluing and/or welding.
The shaped piece can be formed from one or more monofilament or multifilament pieces of cord or from plastic or metal. Said shaped piece preferably has a round, oval or polygonal cross-section and a diameter in the range of 1-6 mm, preferably in the range of 1.5-4 mm. In order not to disturb between thumb and forefinger during use and to adapt to the shape of the hand during use, the shaped piece is bendable about its longitudinal axis but provides the desired substantially non-elastic base for the rib perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
Such a hand-retaining device can further preferably be characterized in that the means additionally comprise a guide pin preferably having a substantially circular cross-sectional area, which guide pin is preferably disposed below the device when used as prescribed and which has a height which is preferably greater than the height of the rib. Preferably no means are provided at the height of the device (apart from optionally a web for connecting rib disposed above and guide pin disposed below as mentioned above) but only when used as prescribed above and preferably additionally below.
The present invention further relates to a pole grip set comprising a pole grip as described and a hand-retaining device as described, characterized in that the means on the pole grip and the means on the hand-retaining device are matched to one another in regard to dimensioning so they positively intermesh when the hand-retaining device is fastened on the pole grip.
Such a pole grip set is preferably characterized in that the means are configured in such a manner that during the prescribed pivoting movement of the hand-retaining device about the pole grip they intermesh positively above the loop-shaped, ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped device in the hook-like device. Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter with reference to the drawings which merely serve for explanation and should not be interpreted as restrictive. In the drawings:
In the pole grip there is a recess accessible from above in which a block is arranged rotatably about an axis of rotation 10 in a spring-mounted pre-tensioned manner and which can be actuated by means of the actuating button 9. This block 6 comprises an extension passing through an opening to the slot 13 and in particular forms a retaining lug 11. In the diagram according to
Below the retaining lug 11 there is a free region 15 whose lowest saddle point 17 defines the lowest position of a loop 26 inserted into this slot 13. Located somewhat deeper than this saddle point 17 on both sides of the pole grip is a lower transition region 18 which defines the transition to the outer surface of the grip body 3.
A hand-retaining device as shown for example in
It is now important that on the hand side 7, that is in particular on the back, which can be identified in particular in the corresponding view in
To facilitate insertion of the hand-retaining device, this groove expands towards the tip 16 in an upper-side expansion region 23 in a trumpet shape. On the lower side the groove boundary 38 is configured to be rounded. The groove boundary runs substantially over the entire length of the groove at the same height, in the region of the lowest section, that is specifically adjoining the groove boundary 38, but in this case a blind-hole like recess 24 is provided, that is in this region the depth of the groove on a circular surface is somewhat deeper than in the region located above. The function of this recess is explained in detail further below.
Such a hand loop 25 now has in the region between thumb and forefinger, that is in the corresponding saddle region of the hand, on the one hand a textile or leather section 36 on the inner side as a protective covering and above this, a textile strip which is given the reference number 31. Sewn into this textile strip is a loop 26 which, as already described above is used for fastening the hand-retaining device on the pole grip. This loop 26 is typically a braided loop made of a highly tensile-resistant material such as, for example, Dyneema which certainly has a certain flexibility and therefore does not disturb between thumb and forefinger but nevertheless has a sufficient intrinsic stability so that it can be simply pulled over the retaining mandrel 14 without needing to be manipulated in its position. For this purpose this loop is quite specifically sewn into the optimal position on the textile strip 31 and a second textile strip possibly located therebelow.
A plastic attachment 30 made of a thermoplastic material is now provided in addition to this loop, this being important for cooperation with the pole grip already described above. This is glued on, moulded on and/or sewn on the textile layer 31 and on its outer side has an elongated rib 28 which has a width which corresponds to the width of the groove 20 of the pole grip or specifically is configured to be somewhat narrower. The rib additionally has a depth which is also adapted to the depth of the groove 20 or specifically is configured to be somewhat smaller. When used as prescribed the rib 28 is disposed above the loop 26 and in the near region additionally optionally has wedge-shaped expansions in the form of sawtooth-shaped elevations 37.
A guide pin 27 is disposed on the other lower side of the loop 26. This guide pin 27 has a greater height than the rib 28 and is, for example, also formed from the thermoplastic material of the attachment 30 but can also consist of metal such as, for example, aluminium and is connected to the region of the attachment 30 where the rib 28 is disposed via an optional narrow web 44. This narrow web therefore connects the region of the guide pin 27 and that of the rib 28 and runs through the loop 26. This web enables the means for positive guidance of the hand-retaining device on the pole grip construction to be formed in one piece, which is advantageous both with regard to stability and also with regard to production processes.
The advantages of rib 28 and pin 27 can be seen from
In order to now ensure this positive securing of the rotational position of the loop 26 around the retaining mandrel, even when the pole grip tilts during a sporting running movement, the rib 28 is now configured over a considerable length towards the top and when the hand-retaining device is moved relative to the pole grip along the arrows specified in
A second exemplary embodiment is shown in
A further exemplary embodiment of a hand loop with a guide element is shown in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
703/12 | May 2012 | CH | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2013/058040 | 4/18/2013 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2013/171016 | 11/21/2013 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5110154 | Street | May 1992 | A |
5312134 | Goode | May 1994 | A |
5328205 | Bacharach | Jul 1994 | A |
5443287 | Wells | Aug 1995 | A |
5470108 | Goode | Nov 1995 | A |
5516150 | Goode et al. | May 1996 | A |
5887282 | Lenhart | Mar 1999 | A |
6264242 | Lenhart | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6325418 | Lenhart | Dec 2001 | B1 |
7621564 | Lenhart | Nov 2009 | B2 |
7665769 | Lenhart | Feb 2010 | B2 |
7690085 | Lenhart | Apr 2010 | B2 |
7770931 | Lenhart | Aug 2010 | B2 |
8079617 | Lenhart | Dec 2011 | B2 |
8579329 | Lenhart | Nov 2013 | B2 |
8714172 | Heim | May 2014 | B2 |
20080005826 | Lenhart | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20120061371 | Broom | Mar 2012 | A1 |
20160136507 | Bennert | May 2016 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
197 51 978 | Jul 2001 | DE |
9513848 | May 1995 | WO |
2006066423 | Jun 2006 | WO |
2006066424 | Jun 2006 | WO |
Entry |
---|
International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Nov. 27, 2014 from the International Searching Authority in counterpart application No. PCT/EP2013/058040. |
International Search Report for PCT/EP2013/058040 dated May 14, 2013. |
Written Opinion for PCT/EP2013/058040 dated May 14, 2013. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20150150344 A1 | Jun 2015 | US |