EP1956937B1 - Stick handle - Google Patents

Abstract

A description is given of a handle (1) for in particular (cross-country) ski sticks and Nordic walking sticks, having a hand-retaining device (17), such as a hand loop or glove, which can be fastened in a releasable manner to the stick handle (1) via a coupling element (12) secured on the hand-retaining device (17), the stick handle (1) having a top end (22) and a bottom end (23), on or in which a stick tube can be, and/or is, fastened. A particularly straightforward releasable fastening arrangement which is stable, of reliable design and can also be utilized at low temperatures and in the presence of snow is made available by a retaining element (4) being provided on and/or in the stick handle (1), this retaining element having at least two lateral grooves (19) which are open essentially in opposite directions and, at least in certain regions, run essentially from top to bottom in respect of the stick handle (1), and by the coupling element (12) having, for the purpose of fastening on the retaining element (4), two corresponding protrusions which engage laterally in these grooves (19).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a pole grip for especially cross-country, alpine and Nordic walking poles, with a hand-holding device, such as wrist strap or glove, which is detachably fastened via a fixed to the hand-holding device coupling element with the pole grip, wherein the pole grip has an upper end and a lower end or in which a pole tube fastened and / or fixed.

STATE OF THE ART

In the field of cross-country, alpine and Nordic walking poles is increasingly required that the hand strap or a suitably designed specially designed glove is no longer firmly connected to the pole handle but in a detachable manner. Accordingly, various designs have already been proposed with which such hand-holding devices can be detachably connected to a pole grip.

In the from the DE-A-196 36 852 known stick handle the Stockgriffausnehmung is accessible from a peripheral side for the firmly connected to the hand strap first connection element and handle head end side of a trigger cover and the actuator covered. The actuator is movable in the axial direction of the pole grip and coupled to the axial movement of the second connecting element with this. In this known pole grip so access and exit of the Stockgriffausnehmung are arranged substantially perpendicular to each other, which is useful for the design of particular downhill skis, since the pole handles are provided for such sticks in the usual way with a substantially perpendicular to the pole axis, slightly curved handle head end face ,

At one of the EP-A-0 370 900 known stick handle is within the Stockgriffausnehmung an actuating lever for clamping the hand strap connecting element provided, which actuating lever from its release position in its clamping position by hand against the action of a spring is movable. The connecting element of the hand strap is thereby inserted perpendicular to the stock longitudinal axis in the Stockgriffausnehmung.

In the from the DE 299 04 591 U1 known Stockgriff the Stockgriffausnehmung runs between access for the first connecting element of a hand strap and the opposite output opening for the actuator in an acute-angled arrangement to the longitudinal axis of the pole handle or ski pole. This means that the fastener fixed to the wrist strap is latched from one direction obliquely from below the upper end of the stick handle and spread obliquely downward in the opposite direction. Since the actuating member and the second connecting member in one piece and, since the pivot axis is arranged at the end of the second connecting member, are formed as a one-armed lever, the locking is because of the pivot axis very close detent area power consuming and problematic. Moreover, the direction of engagement of the first connecting element on the hand strap behind the second connecting element on the one-armed operating lever does not lead to an ergonomic movement, which moreover can only be carried out with difficulty with one hand.

The WO 03/022377 discloses a two-part pole grip, in which a flexible wrist strap is first inserted into a slot arranged in the lower handle element slot, and then the second pole-grip element is placed from above to fix the wrist strap.

The WO-A-2004052476 describes a pole grip with a hand-holding device in the form of a wrist strap or a glove, which is releasably latched via a first fixed to the hand-holding device connecting element with the pole grip. In this case, a cooperating with the first connecting element second connecting element is provided in a Stockgriffausnehmung, which is movable by means of an accessible in the region of the handle head actuator against a resilient mounting. In order to make the detachable attachment of the hand-holding device in a simpler and more ergonomic way, it is provided that the Access to the Stockgriffausnehmung, in which the first connection element and is executable, is formed by a longitudinal slot which faces in a the hand-holding device facing the Stockgriffausnehmung limiting first wall and parallel or inclined to the pole handle longitudinal axis, wherein the Longitudinal slot extends in a range from above to below the range of movement of the second connecting element. The longitudinal slot is to some extent formed in a section perpendicular to the direction of the slot T-shaped, ie, it has an inlet channel or longitudinal slot, of which two mutually facing, the channel widening grooves are arranged in the interior of the pole handle. The connecting element has a shaft, which is guided in this longitudinal slot or channel, as well as a head which widens this shaft to the side, which thus engages with lateral ribs in the grooves. The problem with such a construction is the fact that in the longitudinal slot, respectively, under certain conditions. in which hidden in the interior of the stick handle grooves dirt or snow / ice can penetrate and then according to the connecting element can not be introduced.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is therefore inter alia the object of proposing a structurally simple alternative design for a pole handle, which can always be handled without problems, inter alia, when in contact with snow. In particular, it involves the improvement of a pole grip for especially cross-country, alpine and Nordic walking poles, with a hand-holding device, such as wrist strap or glove, which is detachably fastened via a fixed to the hand-holding device coupling element with the pole grip, wherein the pole grip has an upper end and a lower end on or in which a pole tube fastened and / or fixed.

The solution of this object is achieved, inter alia, that in the, but particularly preferably on the pole grip a holding element is provided, which has at least two lateral and substantially in opposite directions, at least partially substantially from top to bottom with respect to the pole grip extending grooves, and that the coupling element for attachment to the retaining element has two corresponding, laterally engaging in these grooves projections or ribs. The term of the lateral and in opposite directions open grooves on the holding element is, as is clear from the usage of language and in particular the Below doubtless results, to understand that the grooves on the retaining element on the two sides, ie just laterally, are arranged, and are open to the outside, ie just in substantially opposite directions are open.

In the designs according to the prior art, the attachment of the holding device on the pole grip is always ensured by a coupling element, which must be inserted into a recess in the pole grip. One of the problems with solutions of this kind is that the corresponding recess, in particular when in contact with dirt, snow or ice, can be blocked, and accordingly an attachment of the holding device under these conditions is no longer possible. For example, at the beginning of the discussion WO 2004/052476 , There, on the one hand, there is no holding element on the pole grip on which a coupling element can be fastened, but there is a pole grip recess there. Furthermore, there is a longitudinal slot in which not laterally in the opposite direction open grooves are present but mutually facing grooves. Accordingly, for example, such a solution is the WO 2004/052576 problematic concerning pollution.

The core of the invention thus consists in providing a somewhat external and nevertheless functionally optimal construction in which, in particular, the coupling element with the two projections can be pushed, for example, from above into the grooves in the holding device, and thus the above problems can be avoided.

In addition, it turns out that such constructions, in which a recess in the pole grip in principle is not required, can be built more stable due to the solid construction.

Basically, such constructions are possible without a mechanism for locking the coupling element is necessary, for example, if the grooves are curved or sufficiently long. According to a first preferred embodiment, however, the coupling element is detachably latched on the holding element.

A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the two Grooves of the holding element in the direction of extension at its first end are open, so that the coupling element can be inserted at this first end of the grooves, and that the two grooves of the holding element are closed in the direction of its second end, so that the coupling element after insertion this second end comes into abutment, this stop position defines the state in which the coupling element is attached to the holding element for use. In this case, the open ends of the grooves are open at the top in view of the usually occurring at the time of use train on the hand-holding device, and the closed ends of the grooves are closed down, so that the coupling element for attachment to the holding element from above on the holding element , is preferably pushed on latching.

Alternatively, it is possible to form the grooves closed at the top and bottom, and to narrow the broadening in front of the grooves in the upper region at least over a height which corresponds to the height of the coupling element to the width of the retaining web, so that the coupling element in this area so to speak inserted horizontally and then pushed down.

In general, the grooves mentioned above may have a depth in the range of 0.5-5 mm, particularly preferably in the range of 1-3 mm. In general, they can have a width in the range of 0.5-5 mm, particularly preferably in the range of 1-3 mm.

Preferably, the coupling element is designed as a rigid element in the sense of a clamp, C-profiled rail section or the like, wherein it is preferably formed in one piece. The coupling element may be made of metal or plastic. Similarly, the pole grip can be made, for example, from a thermoplastic material, or even cork, hard plastic or a combination of these materials or the like.

Preferably, the coupling element is formed in cross-section in the form of a bracket or a clip which has a recess in the form of a passage opening, wherein the passage opening in the direction of the holding member facing side is so open, so that two lateral, to the grooves adapted projections are present. In a section perpendicular to the direction of the passage opening results in a sense a C-shaped profile, which in principle may have different shapes, such as polygonal, oval or (circle) around.

A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the holding element is arranged in the region of the upper end of the pole grip on the hand side of the pole grip on the outside on the pole grip. In such a construction, the sensitivity to pollution, snow or icing can be minimized. The support member may be formed as a metal rail, for example, with a T-like profile, the crossbar of the T-profile is used to attach the coupling element, and the vertical beam is fixed with its lower end to the pole handle. In particular, the holding element preferably has a running in the direction of the stick handle length, which is at least greater, more preferably 2 - 10 times greater than the width of the holding element perpendicular to the direction of the stick handle, that is, as the width transverse to the direction of the stick handle.

The holding element may have a holding web extending from top to bottom, secured to the pole grip and having a widening from top to bottom (which may be round or angular in the sense of a bar), wherein the width of the holding web is less than the width of the widening , and wherein the width of the holding web may, for example, be in the range of 1-10 mm, particularly preferably in the range of 2-5 mm, and the width of the spread, for example in the range of 2-15 mm, particularly preferably in the range of 3 - 10 mm can lie.

The pole grip preferably has in the region of the upper end a recess in which a locking mechanism, particularly preferably in the form of a locking lever, is arranged, which particularly preferably with at least indirect assistance of the restoring force of a spring or a resilient element or with the aid of a elastic deformation of the locking lever itself blocked in the fixed position on the holding member position self-locking, and which locking mechanism respectively locking lever from the outside, in particular preferably from the top or from the side of the pole grip, can be actuated by the user releasing the coupling element. Preferably, the locking lever (for example made of metal or plastic) is a locking lever rotatably mounted about an axis, which protrudes through an upper opening of the recess from the pole handle substantially at its upper end, and which through a lower opening of the recess with a Locking nose emerges in such a way that the coupling element can be inserted from above without additional actuation of the locking lever under automatic latching of the locking lug. This is for example possible by the locking lever is arranged obliquely, so that it has a bevelled edge on which the coupling element during insertion, preferably selbsteinrastend, can be pulled past.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a glove or a hand strap with a coupling element, as described above, that is, in particular in the form of a one-piece bracket made of metal or plastic, which is able to intervene with the projections in said grooves. In the case of a glove, the coupling element is preferably fastened in the region between thumb and forefinger, wherein the fastening can be provided by rivets or else by corresponding sewing or adhesive connections. It is also possible to mold the coupling element by injection molding to the loop. Preferably, the hand strap is a model which is attached to the user's hand e.g. with the aid of a Velcro fastener can be attached, for example, a hand strap, which has three openings, one for the wrist, one for the thumb and one for the back of the hand or the other four fingers.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a cross-country, alpine and / or Nordic walking pole with a pole grip, as described above.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Kopfbereiches eines Stockgriffes, wobei das Gehäuse zur besseren Sichtbarkeit der inneren Bauteile teilweise weggelassen wurde;

Fig. 2

den Kopfbereich gemäss Figur 1 von einer anderen Richtung;

Fig. 3

einen gesamten Stockgriff in einer Konturdarstellung; und

Fig. 4 a) - c)

Schnitte in einer Ebene im wesentlichen senkrecht zur Verlaufsrichtung eines Stockgriffes durch unterschiedliche Halteelemente respektive Kupplungselemente.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of the head portion of a stick handle, wherein the housing for better visibility of the internal components has been partially omitted;

Fig. 2

the head area according to FIG. 1 from another direction;

Fig. 3

an entire pole grip in a contour representation; and

Fig. 4 a) - c)

Cuts in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of a stick handle by different holding elements respectively coupling elements.

WAYS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to embodiments, the invention will be explained in the sequence. The embodiments serve exclusively to illustrate and explain the operation of the invention, but they should by no means be used to limit the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims.

In the FIGS. 1 and 2 the head region of a stick handle 1 is shown, wherein the housing is removed on the side of the viewer in order to make the components arranged in a recess 5 more visible. In FIG. 3 the same pole grip is shown in a transparent contour representation.

The pole grip 1 has a hand side 2 against which, when in use, as a rule, the palm, in particular the area between thumb and forefinger, rests. Opposite is the front side 3. The upper end is shown by the reference numeral 22, and the lower end by the reference numeral 23. At the bottom of the pole grip 1 has a recess into which the pole tube 18 is inserted. The pole has at its lower end a pole tip (not shown).

In the recess 5, which has the upper end 22 via an upper opening 6, and obliquely down to the hand side 2 through a lower opening 7, a locking lever 8 is arranged. This locking lever 8 is rotatably mounted about an axis 10. The locking lever 8 protrudes to the upper end of the pole grip 1 out of the pole grip to form an actuating portion 9. There, the locking lever 8 can be operated, for example, by hand or a finger when the hand-holding device 17 is to be detached from the pole grip 1. The locking lever 8 is in the recess 5 with a spring (not shown) braced so that it in a representation according to the Figures 1-3 a force counterclockwise learns. The spring may be, for example, a leaf spring which is secured in a slot 13 in the locking lever, but it may also be appropriately arranged coil springs, leg springs or rubber-elastic elements. The locking lever protrudes with its lower end out of the lower opening 7 and the lower tip of the locking lever 8 forms a locking lug eleventh

On the hand side in the uppermost region of the pole grip 1, an elongate retaining element 4 is arranged. It consists essentially of a T-shaped profile made of metal or plastic, wherein the crossbar of this profile is the widening 15, and the other beam of the holding web 14 which is fixed to the pole grip 1. The retaining web extends over a first part, but in the region of the lower opening 7 there is a region 16 in which the retaining web 14 has been omitted. Accordingly, there may protrude the locking lug 11 except for the widening 15. The holding element 4 correspondingly forms two lateral grooves 19, which extend substantially along the running direction of the pole grip 1, and which are arranged opposite to each other. The grooves 19 are open towards the upper end 22 of the pole grip 1, towards the lower end but they are closed so that the coupling element 12, which in the Figures 1-3 is shown in each case in the position fixed to the pole grip, when reaching the lowermost position runs onto a stop. The locking lug 11 is arranged substantially above the upper edge of the coupling element 12 in the lowermost position.

It is also possible to dispense with the entire upper region of the holding element 4 to some extent, ie it is possible in Fig. 1 the widening 15 only to something about the position of the locking lug 11 protrude, so to speak in the sense of a hook. The coupling element 12 then has to be pushed onto the retaining element 4 only over a much shorter distance, and the construction becomes slimmer.

By this construction, it is possible to insert the coupling member 12 from above into the upwardly open grooves 19, and to go down. When the locking lug is reached, it is deflected counter to the spring force into the interior of the pole grip 1, which allows the coupling element 12 to slide into the lowest position, that is to say as far as the stop. Upon reaching the lowermost position, the locking lever will snap back counterclockwise again, thereby locking the coupling element 12. Accordingly, this mechanism provides a self-latching construction.

If the user wants to release the coupling element again from the pole grip, he actuates the actuating region 9 (pressing in a clockwise direction) until the locking lug 11 releases the coupling element 12 and this in turn can be pushed upwards out of the retaining element 4.

In FIG. 4 Different embodiments of retaining element 4 and coupling element 12 are shown. In the FIGS. 4 a) c) a section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the pole grip 1 is shown. In this case, the longitudinally extending, both sides arranged grooves 19 can be detected, and the T-shaped profile of the holding element. 4

FIG. 4a ) shows the embodiment, as in the Figures 1-3 is shown. These are the attached to the hand-holding device 17 coupling member 12 to some extent an angular, C-shaped bracket, which has an undercut recess 20, which is designed as a through hole and which gives rise to two oppositely arranged elongated projections The coupling element 12th has, for example, a height (perpendicular to the paper plane in FIG. 4 ) in the range of 2-15 mm, preferably in the Range of 4-10 mm. It is generally made, for example, of metal (aluminum) or of plastic (possibly fiber-reinforced) or else of a combination, for example, of a metal coated, coated or encased with plastic.

An alternative embodiment is in FIG. 4b ). Here, the broadening 15 is not an angular crossbeam, but an oval broadening. Such edge-free construction may be desirable if, for example, the risk of injury should be kept low. In case of FIG. 4b ) is in the coupling element 12, only the shape of the recess 20 'correspondingly also designed oval, the outer shape is still square. It is of course also possible to round off the outer shape.

In FIG. 4c) a completely rounded construction is shown. Here, the broadening 15 as a circular pin, which is connected via the retaining web 14 with the pole grip, designed. Accordingly, the coupling element 12 is formed as a simple tube section, which has a slot on one side, so that in this area the holding web 14 can be arranged when pushed onto the holding element 4th

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

stick handle

2

hand side

3

front

4

retaining element

5

Recess in 1

6

upper opening of 5

7

lower opening of 5

8th

locking lever

9

Operating range of 8

10

Axis of 8

11

locking tab

12

Coupling element, hanger

13

Slot for leaf spring or similar

14

Haltesteg of 4

15

Widening / cross element of 4

16

Range of 4 without 14

17

Hand-holding device, in particular glove, hand strap

18

stock pipe

19

Notch, groove

20

undercut recess, angular

20 '

undercut recess, oval

20 "

undercut recess, round

21

Projection, rib

22

upper end of 1

23

lower end of 1

Claims (12)

1. A pole grip (1) for, in particular, cross-country ski poles, downhill ski poles and Nordic walking poles, having a hand-retaining device (17), such as a hand strap or glove, which can be fastened in a releasable manner to the pole grip (1) via a coupling element (12) secured on the hand-retaining device (17), the pole grip (1) having a top end (22) as well as a bottom end (23), on or in which a pole shaft can be fastened and/or is fastened, wherein provided on and/or in the pole grip (1) is a retaining element (4) which has at least two lateral grooves (19) which are open essentially in opposite directions and, at least in certain regions, run essentially from top to bottom in relation to the pole grip (1), wherein the coupling element (12), for fastening on the retaining element (4), has two corresponding protrusions engaging laterally in these grooves (19), and is designed as a rigid element, characterized in that the coupling element (12) is designed in the form of a clamp or of a clip which has a recess (20) in the form of a through-opening, the through-opening being opened, in the running direction, toward the side directed toward the retaining element (4), so as to form two lateral protrusions (21) adapted to the grooves (19).
2. The pole grip (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the coupling element (12) can be latched in a releasable manner on the retaining element (4).
3. The pole grip (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two grooves (19) of the retaining element (4), as seen in the running direction, are open at their first end, in which case the coupling element (12) can be pushed in at this first end of the grooves (19), and in that the two grooves (19) of the retaining element (4), as seen in the running direction, are closed at their second end, in which case, once it has been pushed in, the coupling element (12) stops against this second end, this stop position defining the state in which the coupling element (12) is fastened on the retaining element (4) for use.
4. The pole grip (1) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the open ends of the grooves (19) are open in the upward direction, and in that the closed ends of the grooves (19) are closed in the downward direction, in which case the coupling element (12), for fastening on the retaining element (4), is pushed onto the retaining element (4) from above, the grooves (19) preferably having a depth in the range from 0.5-5 mm, in particular preferably in the range from 1-3 mm, and preferably having a width in the range from 0.5-5 mm, in particular preferably in the range from 1-3 mm.
5. The pole grip (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling element (12) is designed in one piece.
6. The pole grip (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the through-opening is of angular, oval or round design.
7. The pole grip (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining element (4) is positioned, or integrally formed, on the hand side (2) of the pole grip (1), on the outside of the pole grip (1), in the region of the top end (22) of the pole grip (1), it being the case that the retaining element (4) preferably has two laterally outwardly open grooves (19), with a base, which run on opposite sides of the retaining element, essentially from top to bottom in relation to the pole grip (1), and that the retaining element (4) in particular preferably has a length, running in the running direction of the pole grip (1), which is at least greater, in particular preferably 2 - 10 times greater, than the width of the retaining element (4) as seen perpendicularly to the running direction of the pole grip.
8. The pole grip (1) as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the retaining element (4) has a retaining web (14), which runs from top to bottom and is fastened or integrally formed on the pole grip (1), and a widened portion (15), which runs from top to bottom, it being the case that the width of the retaining web (14) is smaller than the width of the widened portion (15), that preferably the width of the retaining web (14) is in the range from 1 - 10 mm, in particular preferably in the range from 2 - 5 mm, and the width of the widened portion (15) is preferably in the range from 2 - 15 mm, in particular preferably in the range from 3 - 10 mm, and that preferably the widened portion (15), and possibly the retaining web (14), is a linear or curved rail which is fastened in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner on the hand side of the pole grip (1) and preferably consists of metal or rigid plastic.
9. The pole grip (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pole grip (1), in the region of the top end (22), has a recess (5) in which is arranged a locking mechanism, in particular preferably in the form of a locking lever (8), which blocks the coupling element (12) with self-latching action, in particular preferably with at least indirect aid of the restoring force of a spring, in the position in which it is fastened on the retaining element (4), and which locking mechanism or locking lever (8) can be actuated by the user from the outside, in particular preferably from the top side of the pole grip (1), in order to release the coupling element (12).
10. The pole grip (1) as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the locking lever (8) is a locking lever (8) which is mounted in a rotatable manner about an axis (10), and projects out of the pole grip (1), essentially at the top end (22) of the same, through a top opening (6) of the recess (5), and projects through a bottom opening (7) of the recess (5) by way of a locking nose (11) such that the coupling element (12) can be pushed in from above without any additional actuation of the locking lever (8), the locking nose (11) latching in automatically in the process.
11. The pole grip as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized that the hand-retaining device (17) is designed as a glove or hand strap, it preferably being the case with a glove that the coupling element (12) is fastened in the region between the thumb and forefinger, and that the hand strap is preferably a hand strap which can be fastened on the user's hand with the aid of a hook-and-loop fastener.
12. A cross-country ski pole, downhill ski pole and/or Nordic walking pole having a pole grip as claimed in one of claims 1-11.

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