FI126068B - Ski pole handle with rotatable grip - Google Patents

Description

Ski pole handle with a pivotable grip

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The construction relates a ski pole, and specifically a handle in the upper end of a ski pole, and more specifically a handle assembly pivotably connected to a ski pole, which is preferably intended for cross-country skiing. The pivotal axis is transverse in respect to the length of the ski pole, and the ski pole is preferably used by the skier so that the pivotal axes of the two ski poles are generally transverse to the skiing direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a large number of publications disclosing various handles or grips for ski poles. However, many of those handles suggested have for various reasons not reached popularity. The reasons for problems may be that the constructions have been complicated and thus too expensive and/or that the constructions were difficult to use. One component of skiing is self-propulsion, meaning the use of arm and leg movement synchronously to initiate and maintain forward motion. This is particularly the case with cross-country skiing, and not so much with downhill skiing like slalom. An essential power technique for self-propulsion is known as "double poling". The double pole motion involves reaching ahead with both arms and poling with both arms while keeping the legs in a relaxed, but relatively straight position. A variation of this basic double poling technique includes the addition of "kick" i.e. using the legs alternately with backwards+downwards pushes - in the traditional skiing style, or sidewards-downwards pushes - in the skate skiing style. During the mentioned "skating" style skiing the skier uses a double pole arm motion on his/her both sides while creating alternate thrushes by skies in V-position, and in the men tioned “traditional” style skiing the skier uses a single double pole arm motion on his/her one side and an arm recovery swing on his/her other side.

Document US 5,087,076 discloses a ski pole including a cranked/bent rod member having one end which is inserted into a cavity of a handle and another end which receives the ring or bail. The cavity of the handle is inclined by an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The handle includes a device for providing a rotation of the rod member relative to the handle member and a device for locking the rod member in a selected rotational position. Document CH 562 041 suggests a deviating system to get great acceleration at the commencement, which is translated into a faster run than would otherwise be the case. In doing the above, skiers usually grip the general linear ski poles in such a way that the fist is around the handle end of each pole. While using these kinds of ski poles the amount of force that can be developed with the arms when the fists are vertically arranged, as they are in the above described portions, is not as great as when the fists are horizontally disposed. For this purpose document CH 562 041 teaches ski poles having a pivoted handle or grip portion.

Document US 4,597,589 discloses a ski pole comprising: a pole member having a longitudinal axis, a grip for the pole member, means for mounting the grip on the pole member for pivotal movement from an in-line position to a transverse position, said grip having a top surface, latch means for releasably latching the grip in its inline position, said latch means having a trip located on the grip at the top of the grip, means on said grip mounting said trip for movement in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pole member, said trip being exposed at the top surface of said grip to be actuatable by axial pressure exerted thereagainst. This construction of the ski pole is said to readily permit the disposition of the grip in a position for horizontal thrust, wherein the pole facilitates ready pivoting movement of the grip to a vertical in-line position wherein it is latched. The grip can be grasped with the grip in its normal in-line position, and the grip can be released by a tripping action carried out by the thumb of the very hand which grasps the grip.

Document US 6,491,323 also discloses a ski pole with pivotal grip. This ski pole handle assembly comprises: An elongated body adapted to axially engage an upper portion of a ski pole wherein the upper portion of the ski pole is substantially aligned with a shaft of the ski pole; A hand grip pivotable between pull and push positions, said hand grip having upper and lower end portions, said upper end portion being pivotably connected to a free end of said elongated body; A hand grip return mechanism for urging said hand grip from said push position to said pull position; and, Means for resisting the pivot motion of said hand grip between said pull and push positions, said means comprising a spring housed within a cavity of said elongated body, and a plunger disposed between said spring and said upper end portion of said hand grip for displacement within said cavity by the pivoting of said hand grip from said pull position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a handle of a ski pole, which ski pole comprises a longitudinal shaft, the handle in the upper end of said shaft, a tip in the lower end of said shaft to form a contact during skiing with snow and/or ice on ground, and a basket attached around the shaft between said shaft and said tip. Said handle comprises a body portion securely fixed on the shaft, a pivotal hand grip connected with the body portion through a pivot axis positioned at the top section of said body portion and transverse to said longitudinal shaft. The pivotal hand grip has a form of a letter U with a lower arm, an upper arm and a uniting base between said lower and upper arms, said lower arm and said upper arm having a distance there between appropriate for receiving a palm section present between skier's thumb and forefinger. Said hand grip is free to perform a pivot movement according to the position and force of the skier's hand. Accordingly, in the handle there are neither any springs nor any projections/lacunas, which would cause locking of the grip in respect to the fixed part of the handle in said shaft to limit the pivot movement momentarily or otherwise. The pivot movement of the grip is unrestricted between its end positions. Further said handle comprises a flexible hand strap extending around skier's palm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 visualizes a skier's hand touching the handle with the grip according to the invention in a position where the hand is in front of the skier for hitting the ski pole vertically downwards to attain contact with the snow/ice/ground, seen towards the palm of the hand. In this first embodiment of the invention the flexible hand strap is fixed in the pivotal hand grip.

Fig. 2 visualizes a skier's hand touching the handle with the grip according to the first embodiment of the invention - as shown in Fig. 1 - but in a position where the hand is behind the skier for pressing the ski pole backwards and downwards to thrust the skier in his/her forward skiing direction, in the same view as in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the handle with the grip according to the invention, whereupon the grip is visualized by uninterrupted splines when the ski pole is in its hitting position of Fig. 1, in front of the skier, seen in an elevational view in direction I of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 shows the handle with the grip of Fig. 4, whereupon the grip is visualized by dashed splines when the ski pole is in its thrusting position of Fig. 2 in the back side of the skier, seen in an elevational view in direction II of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 represents a ski pole with a handle and grip according to the second embodiment of the invention, in which the flexible hand strap is fixed in the top section of the body portion, generally in an elevational view.

Fig. 6 shows a handle with a grip according to an embodiment of the invention in which the flexible hand strap is fixed to the arms of the pivotal grip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The skiing idea concerns a handle 10 of a ski pole 20. The ski pole 20 comprises a longitudinal shaft 11 with a length L. The shaft 11 is typically linear/straight, but may of course have some curvature or minor bends without an effect concerning the function the handle 10. These kinds of curves or bends, not shown in the attached figures, may be used for other reasons, like visual or aerodynamic purposes. The handle 10 is fixed on the upper end El of the shaft 11 so that it can be grabbed by the skier by his hand 16. The lower end E2 of the shaft 11 - i.e. the opposite end to the mentioned upper end - has a tip 12, which can include a spike or stud with its attachment elements to form a contact with snow and/or ice on ground during ski- ing. It is emphasized that here definitions "upper" and "lower" means the relative locations of the parts in question while the ski pole 20 is in the upright or vertical using position - called as "hitting position" Pg, as generally known in the context of cross country skiing. The ski pole also has a basket 13 attached around the shaft 11 between the shaft 11 and the tip 12, as visible in Fig. 5. The basket 13 is a ring- or plate- or mesh- or grating-like element for the purpose to prevent any excessive sinking of the ski pole 20 into the snow during skiing, as generally known in the context of cross country skiing. The handle 10 comprises a body portion 1 which is securely fixed on the shaft 11, more precisely on the upper end El of the shaft 11, and a pivotal hand grip 2 connected to the body portion 1 through a pivot axis 9 positioned at the top section 14 of the body portion 1 and transverse to the length L of the ski pole shaft 11. The above mentioned parts of the ski pole are generally known and used at least for hundreds - maybe thousands - of years in various designs, and are accordingly not explained more in detail here.

A skier typically uses a pair of identical ski poles 20, one ski pole by one hand (e.g. right hand) and a another ski pole by another hand (e.g. left hand). During skiing these two ski poles 20 may be used either symmetrically phased, whereupon the ski poles in both hands make the thrusting action/movements simultaneously in thrusting positions Pj and the hitting action/movements simultaneously in hitting positions Pn. This symmetrical phasing is typical e.g. when skiing downhill for addition of the gliding speed of skies. During skiing these two ski poles 20 may additionally be used alternately phased, whereupon the ski pole 20 in one hand makes the thrusting action/movements in thrusting positions Pj while the ski pole 20 in the other hand makes the hitting action/movements in the hitting positions Ph, and vice versa. This asymmetrical, alternating phasing is typical e.g. when skiing on smooth and level/horizontal terrain to support foot-work by skies. These phasing types are generally knowledge of every person who manages skiing, and is accordingly not explained more in detail.

The pivotal hand grip 2, which is attached on the ski pole handle 10 according to the invention, has a form of a letter U with a lower arm 3a, an upper arm 3b and a uniting base 3c between the lower and upper arms 3a and 3b. The lower arm 3 a and the upper arm 3b has a distance D therebetween appropriate for receiving a palm section T between skier's thumb and forefinger. More detailed the palm section T between the thumb and the forefinger - against which the lower arm, the upper arm and the uniting base is supported - means the thenar muscles of the hand (in finish language it could be used the very accurate term "peukalohanka", against which the arms 3a, 3b and the uniting base 3c are supported by pressing force). The pivotal hand grip 2 further comprises a support section 4 with a thickness W2, which support section 4 extends away from the lower arm 3a, the upper arm 3b and the uniting base 3c. The support section 4 is typically a plate-like extension of the lower arm 3a, the upper arm 3b and the uniting base 3c. The body portion 1 of the handle 10 comprises a slot 5 with a width Wl, which slot extends in the direction of the shaft's length L and opens upwards in the direction of the mentioned length L as well as sideways in right angle in respect to the length L towards the grip 2 - i.e. towards uniting base 3c and the lower and upper arms 3a, 3b protruding from the support section 4 and the uniting base 3c. The width Wl dimension of the slot 5 is slightly bigger than the thickness W2 of the support section 4, so that the support section can move, typically turn inside the slot 5 without substantial resistance. In other words, the uniting base 3 c connects the lower arm 3 a and the upper arms 3 b and is generally a structural part of the support section 4, which protrudes from the uniting base in opposite direction as do the upper and lower arms 3b, 3a. The handle further comprises a pivot axis 9, which extends parallel to the thickness W2 of the support section 4 and the width Wl of the slot 5, and passes through the support section 4 and the body portion 1 at both sides 18a, 18b of the mentioned slot 5. Now, either the support section 4 is journalled on the pivot axis 9, or alternatively the pivot axis 9 is journalled against the axis hole 17 in the sides 18a, 18b of the body portion 1. This way the hand grip 2 is pivotal in respect to the body portion 1 of the handle 10 around the pivot axis 9. Further the support section 4 has an edge surface 15 opposite to the lower and upper arms 3a, 3b, which surface 15 has an evenly smooth curvature - comprising only convex forms plus linear forms - in order to avoid any hindrance of free pivotal movement M. It is pointed that neither the hand grip 2 nor the body portion 1 of the handle has any parts or sections, which could by co-acting cause any locking or fixing action between this hand grip and body portion. Accordingly, the construction allows a free rotation/pivot/tum of the hand grip in respect to the body portion. This way it is attained a free pivotal movement and support of the hand grip 2. It is pointed that the handle 10 of the ski pole 20 does not include any springs, and the handle 10 of the ski pole 20 do not include any indentations or the like to lock against non-existing spring parts.

The handle 10 of the inventive ski pole 20 together with the hand grip 2 further comprises a flexible hand strap 7, which is typically fixed in the pivotal hand grip 2, more specifically in the arms 3a, 3b and/or in the uniting base 3c and/or said support section 4 of the hand grip 2. Alternatively, the flexible hand strap 7 is fixed in the top section 14 of the body portion, e.g. above the pivot axis 9. The hand strap 7 extends around skier's palm or hand 16. The flexible hand strap 7 made of a properly bendable or pliable material, to produce a firm but simultaneously comfortable hold of the skier's hand in its intended position in the hand grip 2. The intention of the hand strap 7 is to keep the hand 16 of the skier firmly fixed with the hand grip 2, so that hand grip 2 make the pivotal movement M in both directions: The lower arm 3 a towards the body portion 1 of the handle - until in the hitting position Piy And in opposite direction the lower arm 3a away from the body portion 1 of the handle -until in the thrusting positions. The movements M in both directions are guided solely by the skier's hand by the aid of the lower and upper arms of the pivotable hand grip 2.

When the ski pole 20 is in its vertical hitting position Ph the lower arm 3a of the grip 2 has a first angle K1 in respect to the length L of the shaft 11, whereupon the first angle K1 is smaller than 30°. Preferably the first angle K1 is smaller than 20°, or possibly smaller than 10°, or down to zero degrees. The mentioned distance D between the arms 3a and 3b is typically between 30 mm and 45 mm, but can be smaller or larger depending on the sizes of the skier's hands and possible gloves. The distance D as well as the first angle K1 is designed according to the size of the skier's hand 16, to have a firm grip by the hand. When the ski pole 20 is in its inclined thrusting position Pj the lower arm 3 a of the grip 2 has a second angle K2 in respect to the length L of the shaft 11, whereupon the second angle K2 is greater than 60°. The second angle K2 can be larger than 70°, or possibly approaching 90°, or even larger than 90°. The second angle K2 depends on the skier's hand movement and/or skiing style, which often are results of the skier's anatomy, even temperament or the like. In the hand grip 2 there is a third angle K3 between the lower arm 3a and the upper arm 3b, the third angle opening in a direction away from the support section 4 and the pivot axis 9. The third angle K3 has a value between 0° and 20°, which means that the arms 3a, 3b are parallel or slightly growing away when further away from the uniting base 3c.

Claims (6)

A handle (10) for a ski pole (20) comprising a shaft (11) having a length (L), said handle being at the upper end of said shaft; a tip (12) at the lower end of said shaft for contacting snow and / or ice on the ground during skiing; and a sompan (13) secured to the arm (11) between said arm and said tip; wherein said handle (10) comprises a body (1) firmly secured to the arm, a pivoting handle (2) connected to said body by a pivot axis (9) disposed on the upper part (14) of said body, and transversely with respect to the length (L) of said arm (11), characterized in that - said pivoting handle (2) has a lower arm (3a), an upper arm (3b) and preferably a U-shaped connecting head (3c) between said lower arm and upper arm; there is a distance (D) between said lower arm and said upper arm suitable for receiving a palm portion (T) between the skier's thumb and forefinger; - said pivoting handle (2) comprising a support section (4) having a thickness (W2) extending away from said lower arm, said upper arm and said connecting leg; - said body portion (1) comprises a notch (5) having a width (W1) which extends in the direction of said longitudinal arm and opens upwards and sideways; and - said support section (4) is disposed in said notch (5) and said pivot axis (9) extends parallel to said thickness and said width to provide free pivoting (M) of said handle (2) and support; and in that said handle further comprises a flexible hand loop (7) extending around the skier's palm. Ski handle according to Claim 1, characterized in that said hand loop (7) is attached to either said pivoting handle (2) or alternatively to said upper part (14) of the frame member. A ski pole handle according to claim 2, characterized in that said hand loop (7) is fixed to said connecting socket (3c) and / or to said support section (4). A ski pole handle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - when said ski pole (20) is in its vertical striking position (F1), said lower arm (3a) of the handle (2) has a first angle (K1) to said shaft (11). with respect to length (L), wherein said first angle (K1) is less than 30 °; and that - when said ski pole (20) is in its tilted pushing position (F2), said lower arm (3a) of the handle (2) has a second angle (K2) with respect to said length (L) of the arm (11), K2) is greater than 60 °. Ski handle according to Claim 4, characterized in that said handle (2) has a third angle (K3) between the lower arm (3a) and the upper arm (3b), said third angle opening away from said pivot axis (9) and having a value of is between 0 ° and 20 °. Ski ski handle according to Claim 4, characterized in that said support section (4) has an edge surface (15) opposite to the lower and upper arms (3a, 3b), said surface (15) being evenly curved to prevent free turning movement (M).