Patent Application
20060163865
This invention relates generally to skiing implements and accessories and, more specifically, to a multifunctional pole for skiing or hiking.
Poles are commonly used for alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skate skiing, roller skiing, hiking, climbing, and snowshoeing. A single pole may be used (as is common with hiking), or the poles are used in pairs (as is common with skiing). The user holds the pole or poles in his or her hand or hands while striding or gliding. The poles are used for stability (e.g., hiking), balance (e.g., climbing), timing (e.g., alpine skiing), and propulsion (e.g., Nordic skiing). Herein all such hand-held poles will be referred to as “ski poles,” “pole,” or “poles.”
Ski poles include a shaft with a handle on the top end. The bottom end of the pole may include a point or other reduced portion end for grip on icy surfaces. Alternatively the bottom end may include a pad or other bumper for use on hard dry surfaces, such as asphalt. With a ski pole for winter sports, the end of the pole also includes a basket positioned a few inches up from the tip. The basket is disc shaped or includes arms, rings, or other design to create some amount of resistance to being plunged deeply into snow. The basket is typically attached so as to stay in place during use but be removable for replacement or to switch baskets for different purposes. For example, larger baskets may be used for powder skiing and smaller baskets for alpine racing.
Pole grips or handles are commonly constructed of injection-molded plastic. They are hollow and sized to be force-fit onto the upper end of the pole shaft. They are not made to be removed from the pole. The handles often include straps through which the hand is place before grasping the grip. The straps can be awkward to use, especially with the reduced dexterity of gloved hands, but help in keeping the poles with the user.
Pole shafts are typically constructed of lightweight materials, such as aluminum or thermosetting composites, including fiberglass and carbon composites. The shaft is typically hollow and a few centimeters in diameter. The shaft length is cut depending on the height of the user and the type of use to which the pole will be put. For example, if the pole is designed for alpine skiing, the pole length (and thus the shaft length) from the handle to the basket is selected to be long enough to extend from the skier's hand to the ground, with the upper arm to the side and the elbow bent 90 degrees. Thus, poles of numerous lengths are sold to accommodate people of differing heights. Rental shops also carry poles of numerous lengths to reasonably accommodate as many users as expected. The shops must guess what the demands may be and stock poles accordingly. With some pole designs a shop selling a pair of poles may size excessively long poles for a shorter user by removing the force-fit handle from the shaft, sawing off a portion of the shaft and forcing the handle back on the shaft. However, this is a difficult, labor-intensive process that may damage the poles. Shops are reluctant to provide such a service. Furthermore, due to the difficultly in removing and re-installing the handle, if a pole shaft bends during use the entire set of poles is scrapped and a new set purchased.
In some situations varying the length of a ski pole during an outing is desirable. For example, in alpine touring the user may wish to use a shorter pole length while climbing and a longer pole length while descending. Expensive, length-adjustable poles have been developed for this purpose. The poles include two telescoping sections with a clamp device to secure the two sections in a preferred position relative to each other.
An example of such a pole is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,117 (Quintana et al.), incorporated herein by reference. These poles are useful and effective. However, they are relatively expensive compared to standard alpine ski poles. Furthermore, the telescoping construction of the poles and the clamping mechanism adds weight to the poles—weight that is considerably removed from the handle. Thus, the swing weight of the pole is increased, making use of the pole more tiring as more energy must be expended to use the pole. While such poles may be easy to adjust to a desired length they are not well suited for sales to the average alpine skier or for rental applications due to the cost of the poles and the added swing weight of the poles.
Other adjustable poles have been developed. However, in each case the poles require too many complicated parts, difficult construction, or difficult adjustment. The ease of use is sacrificed and the expense increases.
Besides the need for an inexpensive pole with an easy-to-adjust length that does not increase swing weight, poles suffer other drawbacks and could provide additional accessory benefits. Grips and handles may be made more user-friendly.
The present invention provides a pole that may be adapted for alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, hiking, climbing, snowshoeing, or any other activity in which a hand-held pole is used. The pole provides an inexpensive assembly that features length adjustability without the necessity of tools in the preferred embodiment. The handle may also provide convenient storage or storage access for accessories. The handle can be personalized with various removable grips.
More specifically the present invention provides a handle for a pole having an elongated shaft with an upper end and a lower end. The handle includes a tubular body and a retention member. The tubular body is sized to fit over the upper end of the shaft in sliding engagement. The retention member is coupled to the tubular member and engageable with the shaft. The retention member reversibly and selectively fixes the position of the handle relative to the shaft. The retention member includes a switch for releasing the fixation of the handle to the shaft.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the retention member includes a collar and the switch includes a lever to tighten the collar. The collar surrounds a portion of the retention member to secure it to the shaft. Preferably, the lever has a cam surface for tightening the collar as the lever is pressed toward a side of the collar. The tubular body includes a lower extension onto which the collar is secured. The lower extension is tightenable with the collar for reversibly fixing its position on the shaft. The lower extension includes at least one tab with a lip at the lower end to retain the collar from sliding free of the lower extension.
In a further aspect of the invention, a removable cap is provided at the upper end of the tubular body. A container within the tubular body is accessible through the cap. The container allows the user to hold articles in the handle. In one embodiment, the container is simply formed by the tubular body. The container includes walls and a floor. In one embodiment, the cap includes a threaded engagement to the tubular body. In an alternate embodiment, the cap includes a cap lever with a rod extending downwardly from the lever. A compressible material is held on the rod to expand as it is compressed by the rod and lever. Compression and expansion of the material engages the material to the tubular body.
In still a further aspect of the invention, a strap attachment member is coupled between the tubular body and the cap. The strap attachment member is pivotable about the axis of the tubular body.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a handle for a pole is provided. The pole includes a shaft with an upper end and a lower end. The handle includes a tubular body, a grip, and a grip retainer mechanism. The tubular body is sized to fit over the upper end of the shaft. The grip is secured over an exterior portion of the tubular body. The grip retainer mechanism is coupled to the grip on the tubular body. Release of the retainer mechanism allows the grip to be removed from the tubular body.
In the preferred embodiment, the grip retainer mechanism includes a cap attached at a top end of the tubular body. The cap is selectively removable from the top end of the tubular body for removal of the grip. Alternatively, a releasable collar may be provided for grip retention on the tubular body.
In a further aspect of the invention, the grip is formed of a translucent material. The translucent grip includes a graphic on an inside thereof. The grip also preferably includes a contoured external surface.
The invention also includes a handle having a hollow tubular body with a removable cap for holding or storing items. The tubular body is sized to be fitted to the upper end of the shaft. The removable cap provides access to the inside of the tubular body. In one aspect of the invention, a container is held within the tubular body for storing or holding accessories. Preferably, the cap is disposed at a top end of the tubular body. The cap is accessible without removal of the handle from the shaft. Alternatively, the cap may be elsewhere, such as in the side of the handle or at the bottom end of the handle. In this instance access is provided by first removing the handle from the shaft.
Further aspects of the invention include the handle allowing access to or holding at least one of the following accessories: tools, global positioning system, mobile phone, radio, music player, avalanche transceiver, blue tooth transmitter, fluid, and an electronic ski detection device. The cap provides access to at least one of the accessories.
Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.
FIGS. 2A-D are perspective views of a pole handle with a removable cap;
The handle includes a body 16, a grip 18, a lower flange 20, a cap 22, and a strap 24. Strap 24 is secured to the top of body 16 with a strap collar 26. Body 16 is preferably generally cylindrical and sized to slide over the top of shaft 12. Body 16 provides the main foundation for handle 14, with the additional handle elements being attached to or adjacent to body 16. Grip 18 is engaged over the top of body 16 and fits tightly on body 16. Grip 18 preferably provides a textured region on handle 14 for the user to comfortably and securely grab. Grip 18 may be formed from an elastomeric material such as polyurethane or rubber. In some embodiments grip 18 is further contoured with finger recesses and palm bulges. Grip 18 is preferably translucent such that graphics can be seen through it. For example, graphics may be placed on the outer surface of body 16 or on the inner surface of grip 18. Inner surface graphics can be placed on grip 18 by sublimation or other means. Grip 18 is alternatively formed integrally with body 16 as illustrated in
Lower flange 20 projects outwardly from the main portion of body 16 below grip 18. Lower flange 20 is preferably integrally molded into body 16. Alternatively, the flange may be constructed of a separate collar locked into place on body 16. Lower flange 20 provides support to the bottom of the hand of the user of the pole. The size of lower flange 20 may be large or small. For example the flange may be quite small with just enough outwardly projecting material to retain grip 18. In some embodiments, lower flange 20 is eliminated altogether.
Cap 22 is preferably removably secured to the top of body 16. Cap 22 includes a tool-less release mechanism allowing a user to easy remove it for access to the interior of handle 14. Removal of cap 22 is also used to remove strap 24 and grip 18 from body 16. Cap 18 is preferably slightly larger in diameter than the main portion of body 16 such that it carries out the retention function of strap collar 26 and grip 18.
Further details of handle 14 are clarified in FIGS. 2A-D. Strap collar 26 is “C” shaped and includes strap collar ends 28. A short fastener, one end of which can be seen in
A clamp 30 is provided at the lower end of body 16 to releasably secure handle 14 to shaft 12. Clamp 30 is a collar that is secured over downwardly projecting body tabs 44 of body 16. Clamp 30 is tightened by closing an over-center cam lever 42 as will be discussed below in connection with
Alternative arrangements for securing body 16 to shaft 12 are envisioned. For example, the clamp may be positioned on the shaft with a portion of the body projecting into the upper end of the shaft. Slots in the upper end of the shaft may be provided to allow the shaft to tighten to the body.
The system discussed above in which the handle is repositionable on the shaft provides the advantage of being quick to adjust for a variety of user and/or uses. For example, in a rental shop scenario, the stock of poles may be reduced, since the poles can more readily be fitted to the users from a supply of poles that cover a certain range of pole lengths. The same adjustability allows the same poles to be used for climbing and descending with a quick adjustment. The use of heavier, more expensive poles that have higher swing weights is thus avoided. Furthermore, if a pole shaft bends or breaks the handle may be switched to a new shaft. The expense of an entirely new set of poles is avoided. A user may wish to use the same handles on various pole shafts: some for backcountry use, others for racing, still others for freeskiing, for example.
FIGS. 5A-C illustrate an alternative embodiment of handle 14. In this embodiment a removable top cap is not employed. The bottom of handle 14 includes a clamp for removably securing the handle to a pole shaft.
A strap retainer 126 is pivotally placed on the lower end of cap 122 by sliding a large opening of strap retainer over the threads 164. A cap nut 166 is then used to hold strap retainer 126 in place. However, nut 166 does not bear tightly against strap retainer 126 so as to allow pivotal movement of strap retainer 126 about the longitudinal axis of body 116. A slot 268 is formed in one side of strap retainer 126 to secure a pole strap.
A container 170 is preferably provided. In one preferred embodiment, container 170 is secured to cap 122 by a threaded engagement. In other embodiments, container 170 is secured within body 116 and shaft 112. Further embodiments eliminate container altogether. The walls of body 116 and/or of shaft 112 are used as a container. A floor may be provided in body 116 to provide a bottom for a contained space accessed by opening cap 122.
Handle 114 in one embodiment is force fit over the upper end of shaft 112. Alternatively, it is slid over the upper end and held with a clamp, or other retention device, such as that described above in connection with
In any and all of the embodiments discussed above, the removable cap or removable handle provides access to open space that can be used to hold accessories and other items. For example, tools may be stored in the handle or shaft. Screwdrivers for binding adjustment or a knife for other miscellaneous uses would be conveniently stored. An emergency kit may be held therein. A global positioning system may be placed in the handle. The readout may be on the handle cap or be transmitted elsewhere, such as to a wrist-worn display. A mobile phone may be held in the handle. The shaft provides an external antenna. An audio device, such as a radio or digital audio player may be held in the pole. The signal from such devices may be transmitted by Bluetooth technology to the user. An avalanche probe may be held within the pole shaft. A liquid for user hydration may be held. A receiver located in the pole or handle may be tuned to a signal of a transmitter on a ski to locate the ski in the event of a lost ski such as in deep snow or a crowded ski rack. In any such instance container 170 illustrated in
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, various features of the differing embodiments discussed herein mixed with other features of other embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiments. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
