EP3300622B1 - Support stick with lateral supporting projection - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a support stick for the practice of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, trekking, walking, train, downhill skiing or any other activity requiring the use of poles. Said stick is equipped with a support for the hand of a user. This support replaces or supplements the traditional support of sticks equipped with straps or gauntlets. Poles equipped with such a system offer better support, without the discomfort caused by the hand strap.

An example of a support stick is known from the document FR 2 470 621 .

In a version developed for hiking, this support constitutes a means of facilitating progress, when traveling across sloping areas. In order to obtain the maximum stability, thanks to its poles, and provide a minimum of effort for maximum efficiency, it is recommended that the left and right hands are at the same height.

Thus, when crossing slopes on slopes, the downstream pole is held by the handle, while the upstream pole, with a traditional pole, is also held by the handle which is located much too high for optimal comfort and efficiency. . To solve this problem, some sticks include a foam sleeve, located along the shaft of the stick below the grip. These sleeves are, on some clubs in general, ridged in order to improve the grip of the stick. However, the use of these sleeves requires a significant clamping force on the rod of the pole, during progressions in climbs and slopes, which is a significant drawback.

One of the alternatives to these sleeves is the use of telescopic sticks making it possible to adjust the height of the handle by moving it along the tube, to block it in the chosen position or by modifying the length of the tube using complex mechanisms. Nevertheless, the systematic adjustment of the sticks for each conversion is restrictive. In addition, current position locking systems tend to be unreliable and expensive.

In all cases, the change from the high position (downstream stick) to the low position (upstream stick) is tedious and requires parasitic movements such as removing the hand from the strap or triggering the stick length adjustment mechanism. . The present invention makes it possible to switch easily from one position to another (low / high) and allows to have a significant support while saving energy (no need to tighten the handle or the sleeve to have a support).

The present invention thus proposes, in general terms to replace the support systems by wrist straps with which the handles of sticks are equipped and, in its elaborate version, to provide gripping means on the shaft of a stick, in order to have effective support on the upstream pole on slopes, making it possible to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

Traditional pole handles are provided at the bottom with a curved comfort surface, but do not actually provide a support surface as is the case in the present invention. Some handles without straps of the sword grip type have a limited bearing surface located at the level of the fingers. There are also longiform handles without straps with limited protrusions for retaining. However, none of these handles provides both sufficient support and ease of passage from a high position to the low position and vice versa than the present invention.

Thus, the invention relates to a support stick as defined in claim 1.

According to an additional characteristic, the disk portion extends over an angular sector of at least 90 °.

According to another characteristic, the projection extends laterally over a width of between 15 and 50 millimeters.

Let us add that the projection has for example the shape of a peripheral disc, or has the shape of an elliptical disc.

According to another characteristic, the upper surface of the support extends along a transverse plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stick, or even curved upwards.

Note that the second gripping and support assembly is adjustable in position in order to adapt the height of the lateral bearing projection to the morphology of the user, said assembly being slidably mounted on the rod of the stick, while means for locking in position allow this assembly to be locked at the correct height, in the chosen position.

• La figure 1 est une illustration d'un utilisateur en cours de progression lors d'une traversée dans une zone pentue.
• La figure 2 est une illustration d'un bâton d'appui équipé d'un appui selon l'invention.
• La figure 2a est une illustration similaire à la figure 2, montrant une variante de réalisation, avec deux appuis, à savoir un appui supérieur disposé directement sous la poignée principale d'extrémité et un appui inférieur disposé plus bas.
• La figure 3 est une vue de détail d'une poignée ne faisant pas partie de l'invention.
• La figure 4 est une vue illustrant une poignée de préhension secondaire ne faisant pas partie de l'invention.
• La figure 5 est une vue en bout de dessus d'une saillie d'appui.
• La figure 6 est une vue en bout similaire à la figure 5 d'une variante d'exécution ne faisant pas partie de l'invention.
• La figure 7 est une vue similaire à la figure 4 illustrant une variante de la surface d'appui ne faisant pas partie de l'invention.
• La figure 8 est une vue partielle d'un mode de réalisation permettant le déplacement vertical de l'appui avec son dispositif de blocage en position.
• La figure 8a est vue de détails illustrant les moyens de blocage en position.
• Les figures 9 et 10 sont des vues similaires à la figure 2a, illustrant deux perfectionnements.
• Les figures 11 et 12 sont des vues en bout similaires à la figure 5, illustrant des variantes d'exécution.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which will follow with reference to the appended drawings which are given only by way of non-limiting examples.

• The figure 1 is an illustration of a user progressing while crossing a sloping area.
• The figure 2 is an illustration of a support stick equipped with a support according to the invention.
• The figure 2a is an illustration similar to the figure 2 , showing an alternative embodiment, with two supports, namely an upper support arranged directly under the main end handle and a lower support arranged lower.
• The figure 3 is a detail view of a handle not forming part of the invention.
• The figure 4 is a view illustrating a secondary gripping handle not forming part of the invention.
• The figure 5 is a top end view of a support projection.
• The figure 6 is an end view similar to the figure 5 of an alternative embodiment not forming part of the invention.
• The figure 7 is a view similar to the figure 4 illustrating a variant of the bearing surface not forming part of the invention.
• The figure 8 is a partial view of an embodiment allowing the vertical displacement of the support with its locking device in position.
• The figure 8a is view of details illustrating the locking means in position.
• The figures 9 and 10 are views similar to the figure 2a , illustrating two improvements.
• The figures 11 and 12 are end views similar to the figure 5 , illustrating variants of execution.

A support stick (1) consists, in a manner known per se, of a rod (2) in the form of a profile with a longitudinal axis (XX '), the upper end (3) of which is equipped with a main end handle (4), while the lower end (5) comprises a hooking point and, incidentally, a washer (6).

According to the invention, the main end handle (4) is preferably devoid of a strap, so as not to constrain the user (U) when one of his hands moves along the rod (2), such as as explained in more detail below, but of course it could be otherwise.

The stick comprises support means (7) for the hand, and more particularly, a support for the ulnar edge (8) of the hand (9) of a user of a stick, (as illustrated in figures 1 and 3 ), especially for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, trekking, trail running or walking. This support allows the user to place his hand in support below the main end handle (4). In addition, this support constitutes means facilitating progress, when traveling across sloping areas. Said support (7) is disposed on the rod of the stick under the main end handle (4), at a distance as defined later in the description.

These support means (7) consist of a lateral projection (10) extending laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis (X, X ') of the rod (2) of the stick (1). This lateral projection (10) is integral with the rod (2) on which the user can rest, when moving, in particular when crossing in sloping areas, as illustrated in figure 1 .

The lateral bearing projection (10) is generally constituted by at least one disc portion comprising an upper bearing surface (11) facing upwards, that is to say towards the main handle (4) on which the edge ulnar (8) of a user's hand (9) can lean on, as shown in figures 1 and 3 .

According to one of the characteristics, and according to a preferred arrangement, the lateral bearing projection (10) is either in the general form of a peripheral disc as illustrated in FIGS. figures 1, 2 , 2a, 3 , 4, 5 , 8 , 11 either in the form of a portion of a disc as illustrated on figure 6 , and 12 . In the case of a disc portion, the latter advantageously extends angularly over an angular sector (A) of at least 90 °, such as for example 120 °.

According to a preferred arrangement, the bearing projection has the shape of a circular peripheral disc, but it could take another shape such as an elliptical disc.

It will be noted that for the support of the hand on the upper support surface (11) to be effective and comfortable, said surface extends over a support width (L) of between 15 millimeters and 50 millimeters.

The upper bearing surface (11) is for example planar so as to extend along a transverse plane (P) and for example substantially perpendicular, see perpendicular to the axis (X, X ') of the rod as illustrated in figures 2 , 2a , 3 , 4 , 8 , 9 and 10 , but it could be otherwise.

Thus, according to a variant, the upper bearing surface (11) is convex upwards (HA) as illustrated on figure 7 . The protrusion according to another embodiment (not shown) may be such that its upper surface is concave.

As shown in figures 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , the lateral support projection (10) is extended upwards, that is to say towards the upper end of the stick by a secondary gripping handle (12). The latter of tubular form is engaged around the rod (2) of the stick, to form a secondary gripping and support assembly (13). However, even if the lateral bearing projection is not extended upwards by a secondary gripping handle, this embodiment is considered as a variant of the invention.

This secondary gripping and support assembly (13) is arranged on the rod under the upper end handle (4) as also illustrated on figure 1, 2 , 2a , 8 .

Note that the main end handle (4) can also include at its base a support projection (10) to form support means (7) such as those defined above, and as appears on figure 2a , to constitute a set of gripping and main support (13 '). Thus the stick comprises both a first gripping and support assembly arranged at the upper end of the stick, as appears in figure 2a , and a second gripping and support assembly, arranged under the first assembly.

According to the invention ( figure 8 ) the second gripping and support assembly (13) is adjustable in longitudinal position on the rod (2) of the stick (1), in order to adapt the height of the lateral support projection to the morphology of the user . For this purpose, this assembly is slidably mounted (C) on the rod of the stick, while locking means (15) in position allow this assembly to be locked at the correct height, in the chosen position. The locking means (15) are for example such as those illustrated on figure 8 , and disclosed in patent applications EP 0 098 898 or EP 0 641 578 . Thus, these locking means are for example constituted by a locking ring (20) comprising for example in a manner known per se an annular wall in which is arranged a longitudinal slot (21), through which a clamping means, such as a bolt and a nut connected by a pivot connection to a lever arm and clamping cam (22).

Note that the bearing projection (10) of the secondary gripping and bearing assembly (13), used in the bushings is located at a distance (D) from the upper end (40) of the handle. upper end (4) between 20 and 50 centimeters, from the upper end (4) of the main handle.

It will be noted, and it will be understood that the height (h) of the main end handle (4) as well as that of the gripping assembly and secondary support, is substantially equal or even greater than the width of the hand of the user, with his glove.

According to an illustrated embodiment, the handle (12) has a general profile of revolution, namely that the stick (1) has no sense of grip. Thus, the combination of a handle having a profile of revolution and at least one peripheral bearing projection centered on the rod, provides ease of use, during grip changes along the rod in sloping areas, which regardless of the angular position of the hiking pole, the user can grip the latter without any difficulty.

The figures 9 and 10 are views similar to the figure 2 , illustrating two variants.

According to the realization of the figure 9 , the main end handle (4) is equipped with a wrist strap (14), while according to the embodiment of the figure 10 , the stick is equipped with a link (23) which advantageously comprises triggering means in order to be able to release the user if necessary.

The figures 11 and 12 are similar views to figures 5 and 6 showing alternative embodiments. According to these variants, the bearing surface (11) is a succession of bearing surface elements.

Of course, the gripping and secondary support assembly (13) could also have a retaining strap (14), such as that of the main handle of the figure 9 .

Claims (11)

1. Support pole (1) for ski touring, snow shoes or any other activity requiring the use of a pole, composed of a shaft (2) in the form of a profile of longitudinal axis (XX'), the upper end (3) of which is equipped with a main end handle (4), while the lower end (5) comprises a spike and additionally a basket (6), said pole comprising at least one support (7) for the hand of a user, said support being constituted by a lateral support projection (10), secured to the shaft (2), beneath the main end handle (4), said projection being constituted by at least one disc portion comprising an upper support surface (11), said lateral support projection (10) being prolonged upwards, that is to say towards the upper end of the pole, by a secondary gripping handle (12), to form a secondary gripping and support assembly, said secondary gripping and support assembly (13) being adjustable in terms of its position in order to adapt the height of the lateral support projection to the morphology of the user,
   characterised in that
   said assembly is slidably mounted on the shaft of the pole and comprises locking means (15) for locking it in position, which allow the assembly to be locked at the correct height, in the chosen position.
2. Support pole (1) for the hand of a user of a support pole (1), according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the disc portion comprising the upper support surface (11) extends over an angular sector (A) of at least 90°.
3. Support pole (1) for the hand of a user of a support pole (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the projection extends laterally over a width (L) of between 15 and 40 millimetres.
4. Support pole (1) for the hand of a user of a support pole (1), according to claim 3, characterised in that the lateral support projection (10) has the form of a peripheral disc.
5. Support pole (1) for the hand of a user of a support pole (1), according to claim 3, characterised in that the lateral support projection (10) has the form of an elliptical disc.
6. Support pole (1) for the hand of a user of a support pole (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the upper support surface (11) of the support (7) extends according to a transverse plane (P) substantially perpendicular to the axis (X, X').
7. Support pole (1) for the hand of a user of a support pole (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the upper support surface (11) of the support (7) is upwardly convex.
8. Support pole (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lateral support projection (10) of the support (7) is located at a distance (D) from the upper end (40) of the main end handle (4) of between 20 and 50 centimetres.
9. Support pole (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the main end handle (4) comprises a wrist-strap (14).
10. Support pole (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the secondary handle (12) comprises a wrist-strap.
11. Support pole (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support pole (1) comprises a link (23) comprising release means.

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