FR2743307A1 - Ski stick with hook to prevent sliding - Google Patents

Abstract

The ski stick has a handle (1) that has a hook (3) that can be planted in the snow. The hook can be mobile on the handle or articulated on it round an axle. This has an open or closed position and is locked in position by a clip engaging on a stop. The hook can be folded into the handle and is pulled down by a spring. There can be two hooks and the hook can have teeth on it. The hook and handle can be made in one piece of plastic material.

Description

SKI STICK WITH FALL BRAKING SYSTEM
The present invention relates to a ski pole with a braking system suitable for skiing, ski touring, hiking and snowshoeing.

 These different activities require the use of ski poles to help the progression, as well as the descent. In fresh snow, it is relatively easy to stop in the event of a fall or slip. On a hard snow slope, the skis and snowshoes are equipped with removable knives to ensure correct behavior when climbing.

In the event of a fall on the hard snow, the skier does not have an ice ax to brake his slide as soon as possible. It is obvious that the more the speed increases, the more difficult it is to stop. Often, this skier tries to brake his descent as he can. For example, by using the edges of his skis.

The purpose of the present invention is to assist the skier in this action by giving him, by means of a special stick handle provided with hooking parts, the possibility of controlling, braking or stopping his slide. It goes without saying. that this principle is also valid to help the practitioner in a delicate passage by allowing him to rest on the stick laid flat on the snow.

 The descriptions which follow will allow us to see the different types of solutions.

 Figures 1 and 2 are representations of the upper part of the ski pole.

It is considered that the lower part of the stick is equipped with the classic plastic washer to ensure support in the snow.

 The handle of the ski pole is fixed with the conventional strap, if necessary, in said pole 2.

 The anti-fall braking system consists of one or more hanging parts 3 projecting from the handle of particular shapes, preferably positioned on the upper part of the handle, in order to ensure maximum efficiency. during a slide, the skier has the possibility of pushing one or two poles against the ground, handles in their hands, to slow down or to hold back their fall. With the outgrowth planted in the snow, the chances of stopping the slide early are better than with conventional ski poles.

 The hanging parts can be of various shapes. Figure 3 shows a less aggressive version, with a design approach. In this case, said hooking parts also provide a hand protection function. This configuration is said to be of the type: Handle open.

 The axis A of the hanging parts 3 in top view in FIG. 4 is situated on an axis parallel to that of the skier's shoulders and passes through the main center of the grip zone 1.

 It is obvious that said axis A constitutes a non-exhaustive example of different possible configurations. Indeed, according to the shapes of said gripping zone 1 and of the, or of the hanging parts 3, Said axis A will be located on the periphery around the axis C of the gripping zone 1.

It may also not pass through the main center of said gripping area.

 Also taking into account what has just been seen, there may still be several axes A of hooking parts, or no characteristic axis A, due to the shapes adopted.

 It will nevertheless be interesting that the hanging parts are located at the front and / or on the outside of the hand, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, for safety and efficiency in the event of a fall.

 The addition of these hanging parts may therefore possibly require differentiation of the left stick and the right stick, due to the shape chosen.

 Figure 5 shows a variant of a stick with the grip area of the handle, offset from the main axis of said stick.

 The hooking parts are located opposite the offset to provide increased hand protection. In fact, during a fall, the skier or walker can rest on the zone 5 and the stop of the hanging parts 3a and therefore protect their hand.

 Figure 6 shows another variant using the closed handle type solution. The hanging parts can be integrated into the hand protection form 6.

In the different versions mentioned above, the hanging parts 3 are fixed relative to the handle or gripping area 1. These
Shapes can be made of rigid plastic, of the same material as said handle and therefore be part of a single piece.

 These hooking parts can also consist of one or more other pieces of plastic and metal materials, fixed by at least one screw in the handle.

 Therefore said hanging parts may be removable from the handle 1. On the other hand, an assembly by gluing of the hanging parts will make them non-removable from the handle 1.

 Figures 7 and 8 show a more elaborate version with a retractable anti-fall braking system. The hanging parts 3 are integrated in the handle 1 or 6, and can be opened by action of the skier being in a delicate passage. Said hooking parts then being articulated on the axis 8, are kept open by a locking system which may be a simple snap-fitting 7with a stopper 10 .A return spring 9 will be used to retract the hooking parts after unlocking action by hand on snap-in 7.

 In FIG. 9, the locking system 7 and 10, in the open position is optional and the end 3a of the hooking parts extends outside the profile of the handle 5, so that the said system can open on its own , during a fall, by friction against the snow at the end 3a. The return spring 9, optional, will retract the system itself in the handle, when the latter is no longer in contact with the ground.

 These versions with retractable anti-fall braking system, have the advantage of being able to use hooking parts which are more aggressive and nevertheless harmless for the risk of injury to the user, during normal ascents or descents, as well as during falls. .

Claims (10)

1. Ski pole usable for downhill skiing, ski touring or snowshoeing, characterized in that the handle (1) thereof is provided with a fall prevention system consisting of one or more hanging parts (3) usable by crashing, of said catching parts in snow or other slippery terrain, to aid progression, or during a slide in order to stop or slow down a fall. 2. Ski pole according to claim 1, characterized in that the hooking parts (3) are movable or articulated on the handle around an axis (8) with an open or closed position and a mechanical locking (7 and 10) said hanging parts at least in at least one of the two positions. 3. Ski pole according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the movable hanging parts (3) are also equipped with a return spring (9) used to fold at least the hanging parts in the handle (1) or (6). 4. Ski pole according to claim 1, characterized in that the hooking parts (3) having at least one end (3a) protruding outside the handle in the closed position, are movable or articulated on the handle around an axis (8) has a return spring (9), and a stop (10) said spring holding the hooking parts in the folded position. 5. Ski pole according to claim 1, characterized in that the grip area of the handle (1) and the hanging part or parts (3) are one and the same piece of plastic or other material. 6. Ski pole according to claim 1, characterized in that the hooking part or parts (3) are one or more different parts fixed to the handle (1) by gluing, and are non-removable. 7. Ski pole according to any one of claims 1,2,3,4, characterized in that the system provided with the hanging parts, or the hanging part or parts (3) alone, are removable and detachable from the handle to the by means of a screw or other fixing system. 8. Ski pole according to any one of claims 1,2,3,4,5,6, 7 characterized in that the handle, equipped with its hanging parts, is a handle of the closed type (6) in order to protect the hand. 9. Ski pole according to any one of claims 1,2,3,4,5,6, 7 characterized in that the axis C of the grip area of the handle is offset from the main axis of stick D. Said offset being opposite the hooking parts (3) in order to protect the hand thanks to the stop (5). 10. Ski pole according to any one of claims 1,2,3,4,5,6, 7,8, characterized in that the shapes with hanging parts (3) have also -if a protective function of hand, by covering all or part of the outside of the hand possible.