Connectable ski poles

Abstract

A pair of first and second ski poles that can be connected to each other. The first ski pole has a first shaft with a first hand-grip at an upper end thereof and a first basket near the lower end thereof. The second ski pole has a second shaft with a second hand-grip at an upper end thereof and a second basket near the lower end thereof. The first and second ski poles can be interconnected by engagement of the first and second baskets to each other and engagement of the first and second hand-grips to each other. The first hand grip is mounted to the first shaft via a spring for limited axial movement relative thereto, and engagement of the first and second hand-grips is maintained by a biased force provided by the spring.

Claims

1. A pair of first and second ski poles connectable to each other, said first ski pole having a first shaft with a first hand-grip at an upper end thereof and a first basket near a lower end thereof, said second ski pole having a second shaft with a second hand-grip at an upper end thereof and a second basket near a lower end thereof, said first hand-grip having a locking part thereon for connection to a counter locking part on said second hand-grip, said first hand-grip and second hand-grip each have a pommel at an upper end thereof, and wherein said locking part and counter locking part are formed integrally with the pommel each at a location below a top of the pommel, and said first hand-grip is biasedly mounted to said first shaft by a first spring that allows limited axial movement of said first hand-grip relative to said first shaft, and in use for connection of said first ski pole and said second ski pole said first and second basket engage with each other, and said locking part of said first hand-grip is held in biased engagement via said first spring with said counter locking part of said second hand-grip.

2. The pair of first and second ski poles as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first hand-grip is mechanically restrained to prevent it being detached from said first shaft by the bias force provide by said first spring.

3. The pair of first and second ski poles as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking part of said first hand-grip is a projecting locking part, and said counter locking part is a female counter locking part for receiving said projecting locking part.

4. The pair of first and second ski poles as claimed in claim 3, wherein a ramp is disposed on said projecting locking part, and a lip is associated with said counter locking part, and said ramp and said lip when brought into engagement with each other to assist said projecting locking part into engagement with said counter locking part.

5. The pair of first and second ski poles as claimed in claim 1, said second hand-grip is biasedly mounted to said second shaft by a second spring that allows limited axial movement of said second hand-grip relative to said second shaft.

6. The pair of first and second ski poles as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first basket of said first pole has male projections engagable with apertures disposed on said second basket.

7. The pair of first and second ski poles as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first basket and said second basket are identical, and said first basket and second basket each has a plurality of engagement units, to allow engagement there between.

8. The pair of first and second ski poles as claimed in claim 6, wherein each engagement unit includes a male projection and an aperture.

9. The pair of first and second ski poles as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first hand-grip and second hand-grip are of two piece construction mounted to its respective shaft via mounting fixture engaging the shaft.

10. A pair of first and second ski poles said first ski pole having a first shaft with a first hand-grip at an upper end thereof and a first basket near a lower end, said second ski pole having a second shaft with a second hand-grip at an upper end thereof and a second basket near a lower end, said first and second ski poles are interconnected by engagement of said first and second basket to each other and engagement of said first and second hand-grip to each other, and said first hand-grip and said second hand-grip each have a pommel at an upper end thereof, and wherein a locking part and a counter locking part are formed integrally with each pommel, each at a location below a top of said pommel, and said first hand-grip is biasedly mounted to said first shaft by a first spring that allows limited axial movement of said first hand-grip relative to said first shaft, and wherein engagement of said first and second hand-grip is maintained by a biased force provided by said first spring.

11. The pair of first and second ski poles as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first hand-grip is mechanically restrained to prevent it being detached from said first shaft by the bias force provide by said first spring.

12. The pair of first and second ski poles as claimed in claim 10, wherein a ramp is disposed on said projecting locking part, and a lip is associated with said counter locking part, and said ramp and said lip when brought into engagement with each other to assist said projecting locking part into engagement with said counter locking part.

13. The pair of first and second ski poles as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second hand-grip is mounted to said second shaft via a second spring for limited axial movement relative thereto.

14. The pair of first and second ski poles as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first hand-grip and second hand-grip are of two piece construction mounted to its respective shaft via mounting fixture engaging the shaft.

15. A ski pole comprising a shaft with a hand-grip at an upper end thereof, and a basket near a lower end, wherein said hand-grip is biasedly mounted to said shaft via a spring for limited axial movement relative to said shaft, and said hand-grip has a first pommel at an upper end and a locking part integrally formed with and projecting from below a top of said first pommel for connecting to a female counter locking part integrally formed on a second pommel of another associated ski pole, and wherein in use for connection of said ski pole with said another associated ski pole said locking part of said first hand-grip is held in biased engagement via said spring with said female counter locking part of said second pommel of said another associated ski pole.

16. The ski pole as claimed in claim 15, wherein a ramp is disposed on said locking part, and a lip is associated with said female counter locking part on said associated ski pole, and said ramp and said lip when brought into engagement with each other to assist said locking part into engagement with said female counter locking part.

17. The ski pole as claimed in claim 15, wherein said first hand-grip is of a two piece construction mounted to said shaft via a mounting fixture.

18. The ski pole as claimed in claim 17, wherein said spring is mounted on a lug on said mounting fixture.

19. The ski pole as claimed in claim 18, wherein each piece of said hand-grip has a post slidably engagable with a respective keyway pocket in said mounting fixture.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of ski poles in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in spaced apart configuration.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pair of ski poles of FIG. 1 in a connected configuration.

(3) FIG. 3 is a side view of the pair of ski poles shown in FIG. 2 in the connected configuration.

(4) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pair of ski poles through IV-IV shown in FIG. 3 in the connected configuration.

(5) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pair of ski poles with the baskets engaged and the spring compressed.

(6) FIG. 6 is an enlarged upper front perspective view of the hand-grips of the ski poles shown in FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 7 is an enlarged lower rear perspective view of the hand-grips of the ski poles shown in FIG. 1.

(8) FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c are cross-sectional schematics of the hand grips of a pair of ski poles in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention apart, as they are being brought together and in engagement.

(9) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a pair of ski poles in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention in spaced apart configuration.

(10) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the pair of ski poles of FIG. 9 in a connected configuration.

(11) FIG. 11 is a side view of the pair of ski poles shown in FIG. 10 in the connected configuration.

(12) FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the pair of ski poles through XII-XII shown in FIG. 11 in the connected configuration.

(13) FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the pair of ski poles with the baskets engaged and a spring compressed.

(14) FIG. 14 is a partial enlarged perspective view of the baskets of the pair of ski poles of FIG. 9, in spaced apart configuration.

(15) FIG. 15 is a partial enlarged perspective view of the baskets of the pair of ski poles of FIG. 10, in connected configuration.

(16) FIG. 16 depicts an upper enlarged perspective view of the basket shown alone, of the type used in the pair of ski poles shown in FIG. 9.

(17) FIG. 17 depicts a lower enlarged perspective view of the basket of FIG. 16.

(18) FIG. 18 is an enlarged upper front perspective view of the hand-grips of the ski poles shown in FIG. 9.

(19) FIG. 19 is an enlarged lower rear perspective view of the hand-grips of the ski poles shown in FIG. 9.

(20) FIGS. 20a, 20b and 20c are cross-sectional schematics of the hand grips of the pair of ski poles as shown in FIG. 9 apart, then as they are being brought together and in engagement.

(21) FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the hand-grip of a ski pole in accordance with a fourth embodiment having a projecting male locking part.

(22) FIGS. 22a, 22b and 22c are cross-sectional schematics of the hand grip of a ski pole shown in FIG. 21 with a hand grip of ski pole having a complementary female locking part, the two ski poles forming a pair of interconnecting ski poles as they are being brought together and in engagement.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(23) FIGS. 1 to 7 depict a first embodiment of a pair of first and second ski poles 1a, 1b capable of being interconnected to each other.

(24) First ski pole 1a has a shaft 2 with a first hand-grip 3a at an upper end thereof, and a first basket 4a near the lower tip end 12. Second ski pole 1b has a shaft 2 with a second hand-grip 3b at an upper end thereof, and a second basket 4b near the lower tip end 12.

(25) Both first and second hand-grips 3a,3b are preferably made of plastic, and each have a pommel 5 at their upper end. An aperture 7 is provided in each pommel 5 for receiving a strap (not shown).

(26) On first hand-grip 3a below the top of its respective pommel 5 and on one side thereof, is a substantially upward projecting male locking part 6a. On second hand-grip 3b below the top of its its respective pommel 5 and on one side thereof, is a substantially downwardly female/concave (or counter) locking part 6b adapted to receive locking part 6a of first hand-grip 3a.

(27) First hand-grip 3a is biasedly mounted to shaft 2 of pole 1a by means of coil spring 8, and is capable of limited axial movement relative to shaft 2. A pin 9 engaging shaft 2 restrains hand grip 3a from being detached from shaft 2 under the influence of spring 8. The biased force of spring 8 to extend urges hand-grip 3a way from tip end 12. Compression of spring 8 allows hand-grip 3a to be urged axially a limited short distance, say of less than 5 mm, towards the opposite tip end 12 of shaft 2.

(28) Baskets 4a, 4b are preferably made of plastic. Basket 4b of pole 1b has a slot 14 capable of having tip end 12 of pole 1a engage therewith.

(29) In use, when a user (not shown) wants to connect ski poles 1a,1b to each other he engages tip end 12 of pole 1a in slot 14 of basket 4b, with basket 4a located above basket 4b as shown in FIG. 5, and brings poles 1a,1b in close proximity to each other. He then urges hand-grip 3a to axially compress spring 8 and holds it there, while bringing male locking part 6a into alignment with female locking part 6b on hand grip 3b. Release of hand grip 3a by the user causes spring 8 to axially extend urging male locking part 6a of hand grip 3a into engagement with female locking part 6b. As baskets 4a, 4b are inter-engaged, male locking part 6a of hand-grip 3a will remain in engagement with female locking part 6b of hand-grip 3b, as a result of the biased force provided by spring 8, thereby connecting poles 1a,1b.

(30) To release (or disconnect) poles 1a,1b from one another, the user again urges hand grip 3a to axially compress spring 8, so that male locking part 6a can be removed from female locking part 6b, and then removes tip end 12 of pole 1a from slot 14 of basket 4b.

(31) FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c depict hand grips 3c and 3d of a pair of ski poles 1c and 1d in a second embodiment. Ski poles 1c and 1d have shafts 2, a coil spring 8, pin 9 and baskets and tip ends (not shown) similar to those components on poles 1a and 1b. However, in this embodiment the male locking part 6c and female locking part 6d differ in shape to the male and female locking parts 6a, 6b of the first embodiment.

(32) Male locking part 6a has a ramp 6e disposed thereon, whilst female locking part has a lip 6f associated therewith at pommel 5d of grip 3d. Ramp 6e and lip 6f assist in the quick connect of male locking part 6c and female locking part 6d.

(33) FIG. 8a depicts the hand grips 3c and 3d spaced apart as they are being brought together. With the tip end of ski pole 1c engaged with the basket of pole 1d, hand grip 3c can be brought towards hand grip 3d, as shown in FIG. 8b. As ramp 6e strikes lip 6e, hang grip 3c would be urged downwardly against the bias of spring 8 a short distance, until male locking member 6c is able to be urged under the influence of spring 8 into engagement with the concave portion of female locking part 6d as depicted in FIG. 8c. To release (or disconnect) poles 1c,1d from one another, the user urges hand grip 3c to axially compress spring 8, so that male locking part 6c can be removed from female locking part 6d, in a similar manner to the first embodiment. It should be noted that the male and female locking parts 6a, 6b (and 6c,6d) which are located in the respective upper parts of hand-grips 3a,3b (3c,3d) below the top of pommels 5, and integral with pommel 5, do not need to be large in size and the biased nature of the spring loaded hand-grip 3a(3c) assists in the quick location of male locking part 6a(6c) into female locking part 6b(6c). As the locking parts 6a, 6b (and 6c,6d) are small and located just below the top of pommels 5, they do not pose a risk of snagging or catching on to clothing and the like, or getting damaged, as is the case with the prior art. This because in use, when a user's gloved hand (not shown) grasps the handle, small sized locking parts 6a. 6b (and 6c,6d) do not pose a risk of snagging or catching on other clothing. Also in the rare event that debris and/or snow/ice enter the female locking parts 6b,6d, then the user can quickly tap the hand grips of the ski poles together, causing the debris and/or snow/ice to readily fall out. Furthermore the male and female locking parts 6a,6b (6c,6d) are on the sides of the respective hand grips 3a,3b (3c,3d), rather than the aft and fore ends as in the prior art DE10325081, making it easy for the user to bring the hand grips 3a,3b (3c,3d) together and engage the locking parts 6a,6b (6c,6d).

(34) The limited axial movement of hand-grip 3a or 3c is so small that this movement is negligible and not noticeable to the user when ski pole 1a or 1c is being used conventionally for balance and propulsion.

(35) FIGS. 9 to 20c depict a third embodiment of a pair of first and second ski poles 1j,1k capable of being interconnected to each other.

(36) In a similar fashion to the poles of the first embodiment, first ski pole 1j has a shaft 2 with a first hand-grip 3j at an upper end thereof, and a basket 4j near the lower tip end 12. Second ski pole 1k has a shaft 2 with a second hand-grip 3k at an upper end thereof, and a second basket 4j near the lower tip end 12.

(37) Both first and second hand-grips 3j,3k like those of the first embodiment are preferably made of plastic, and each have a pommel 5 at their upper end. An aperture 7 is provided in each pommel 5 for receiving a strap (not shown).

(38) On first hand-grip 3j below its respective pommel 5 and on one side thereof, is a substantially upward projecting male locking part 6j. On second hand-grip 3k below its respective pommel 5 and on one side thereof, is a substantially downwardly female/concave (or counter) locking part 6k adapted to receive locking part 6j of first hand-grip 3j.

(39) First hand-grip 3j is biasedly mounted to shaft 2 of pole 1j by means of coil spring 8, and is capable of limited axial movement relative to shaft 2. A pin 9 engaging shaft 2 restrains hand grip 3j from being detached from shaft 2 under the influence of spring 8. The biased force of spring 8 to extend urges hand-grip 3j way from tip end 12. Compression of spring 8 allows hand-grip 3j to be urged axially a limited short distance, say of less than 5 mm, towards the opposite tip end 12 of shaft 2.

(40) Baskets 4j used on first and second ski poles 1j,1k are identical to each other, and are preferably made of plastic. Each basket 4j has a three engagement units 15. Each engagement unit 15 is made up of a prong (male projection) 16 paired with an aperture 17, as best seen in FIGS. 16 and 17. In order to operably connect baskets 4j to one another, two prongs 16 on one basket 4j nestably engage with respective apertures 17 on the other basket 4j.

(41) In use, when a user (not shown) wants to connect ski poles 1j,1k to each other he nestably engages basket 4j of pole 1k with the basket 4j of pole 1j, as best seen in FIGS. 14 and 15. He then urges hand-grip 3j to axially compress spring 8 and holds it there, while bringing male locking part 6j into alignment with female locking part 6k on hand grip 3k. Release of hand grip 3j by the user causes spring 8 to axially extend urging male locking part 6j of hand grip 3j into engagement with female locking part 6k on hand grip 3j. As baskets 4j are inter-engaged, male locking part 6j of hand-grip 3j will remain in engagement with female locking part 6k of hand-grip 3k, as a result of the biased force provided by spring 8, thereby connecting poles 1j,1k. To release (or disconnect) poles 1j,1k from one another, the user urges hand grip 3j to axially compress spring 8, so that male locking part 6j can be removed from female locking part 6j.

(42) The limited axial movement of hand-grip 3j is so small that this movement is negligible and not noticeable to the user when ski pole 1j is being used conventionally for balance and propulsion.

(43) A spring 8b, similar to spring 8 is used in the mounting of second hand grip 3k to second pole 1k via pin 9b, similar to pin 9. Spring 8b and pin 9b are not required for locking and unlocking the hand grips 3j,3k together, but they do provide a similar feel, construction and limited movement to the second hand grip 3k as is provided for first hand grip 3j.

(44) Also the top of portions of hand grips 3j,3k each have respective flat surfaces 18j and 18k as shown in FIG. 20a. When hand grips 3j,3k are connected they abut against each other each along an interface F, as shown in FIG. 20c. This abutting of flat surfaces 18j,18k assists in preventing or minimizing the twisting of hand grips 3j,3k relative to each other when poles 1j,1k are connected together.

(45) In the third embodiment it should be noted that single basket 4j type is used on both poles 1j,1k. Furthermore the springs 8,8b and the pins 9,9b are identical for simple assembly of components.

(46) It should be noted that whilst basket 4j is of a type have a female thread in its central bore for screw attachment near tip 12, it should be understood that basket 4j could be attached to shaft 2 by a conventional snap fit or push fit system.

(47) In the abovementioned first, second and third embodiments the hand grips 3a,3b,3c,3d,3j and 3k are all connected (engaged) to their respective shaft 2 via a pin 9. In order to do this, holes must be drilled or machined into shaft 2. Whilst drilling or machining could be done in a shaft 2 made of aluminium to accommodate a pin 9, such a connection arrangement is not suitable for a shaft 2 made of carbon fibre.

(48) FIGS. 21 to 22c depict a fourth embodiment of a pair of first and second ski poles 1m, 1n capable of being interconnected to each other.

(49) In this arrangement, each of the first and second hand grips 3m, 3n are of a two piece construction connected to a respective shaft 2 via a mount fixture 19.

(50) Both first and second hand-grips 3m, 3n like those of the earlier embodiments are preferably made of plastic, and each have a pommel 5 at their upper end. On first hand-grip 3m below the top of its respective pommel 5 and on one side thereof, is a substantially upward projecting male locking part 6m. On second hand-grip 3n below the top of its respective pommel 5 and on one side thereof, is a substantially downwardly female/concave (or counter) locking part 6n adapted to receive locking part 6m of first hand-grip 3m. These locking parts 6m, 6n are similar to the locking parts 6j, 6k respectively, of the third embodiment.

(51) The two piece hand-grip construction is now described with reference to hand-grip 3m having male locking part 6m shown in FIG. 21. Hand-grip 3m has two halves 3m.sub.1 and 3m.sub.2 which are connected together via four screws 25. Mount fixture 19 has a first end portion 20 which is glued or mechanically fixed into the end of shaft 2. Mount fixture 19 has a lug 22 at the opposite end to first end portion 20. Lug 22 is adapted to have compression spring 8 mounted thereon. Mount fixture 19 has two keyway pockets 23, one on each side, in which respective posts 24 of grip halves 3m.sub.1. 3m.sub.2 are located. In FIG. 21, only one keyway pocket 23 is shown (the other hidden) and only post 24 in 3m.sub.1 is shown (the other in hand-grip 3m.sub.2 is hidden). When hand grip 3m is assembled, posts 24 are located inside respective keyway pockets 23, which prevents hand grip 3m from rotating relative to shaft 2. As posts 24 are slidably engagable with limited axial travel in the respectively slightly longer keyway pockets 23, a limited travel path of typically less than 5 mm is provided for compression spring 8. The two piece construction for the other hand-grip 3n is similar to that of hand-grip 3m.

(52) As shown in FIGS. 22a-22c, the hand grips 3m, 3n are brought together for connection to each other in a similar fashion to the earlier shown third embodiment. Also like that of the earlier third embodiment, the limited axial movement of hand-grips 3m, 3n is so small that this movement is negligible when the ski poles are being used conventionally for balance and propulsion.

(53) The advantage of this fourth embodiment over earlier mentioned embodiments, is that it facilitates easier manufacturing where no drilling or machining of shaft 2 is required, making it suitable for shafts made of either carbon fibre or aluminium. Also by splitting hand-grips 3m, 3n into halves, it is possible to reduce moulding cost and part weight.

(54) The terms comprising and including (and their grammatical variations) as used herein are used in an inclusive sense and not in the exclusive sense of consisting only of.