FR2958510A1 - DYNAMIC BATON HANDLE - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the invention, the ski or hiking pole is provided with a handle (6) comprising a handle base (60), a tubular handle body (61) and an intermediate spring (62). The handle body (61) is slidably mounted on the handle base (60), and the spring (62) is operatively engaged between the handle base (60) and the handle body (61). An adjustable stop (63) limits the stroke of the handle body (61). This limits the effect of shocks occurring during stick dive on the ground.

Description

The present invention relates to ski poles or hiking poles, which are used to support the ground intermittently. Ski poles or hiking sticks generally comprise a stick body, consisting of a light and rigid rod, usually rectilinear, extending from a contact end to a gripping end. The contact end is intended to come into contact with the ground. The grip end is intended to be held by the user. The gripping end is most often provided with a tubular handle fitted on the grip end of the stick body and having a shape and structure adapted to be effectively held by a user's hand that surrounds it. A loop-shaped lanyard, commonly referred to as a strap, is generally attached to the upper end of the handle and surrounds the wrist of the user holding the stick. When using, while skiing or hiking, the user is supported periodically on the ground by pushing the contact end of the stick body against the ground, then lifting the stick to rest a little further following the direction of his progression. Each contact on the ground is relatively abrupt, producing a shock between the ground and the contact end of the stick. This shock is accompanied by a similar shock in the contact area between the handle and the arm of the user. Repeated shocks tire the joints of the arm, especially the elbow. In addition, the shocks lead to energy dissipation, especially in the form of sound, energy that can then be missed by the user to continue its progression. There is also interest in reducing the sound effects of shocks, in order to take full advantage of the calm of the surrounding nature. A problem proposed by the present invention is thus to design a stick structure for substantially reducing the effects of shocks occurring between the ground and the contact end of the stick during the dive of the stick. This is to relieve the joints of the arm holding the stick, and to reduce the energy dissipation in sound form. According to another object, the invention aims to achieve these effects of reducing the inconvenience of shocks without increasing the size of the stick, and without substantially increasing its moment of inertia to maintain its handling qualities.

Optionally, the invention also aims to design a stick that can be adapted to different uses, observing that the impacts during the hike are not the same as the shocks during a race, which 5672FDEP.docx 2958510 2 are not the same as shocks when skiing or when skiing. According to another object, the invention aims to design a stick to further improve the thrust force that the user can produce by pressing his stick on the ground and forcing its progression by a thrust of the stick. support on the ground. To achieve these and other aims, the invention firstly proposes, in a first aspect, a handle for a ski or hiking stick, comprising: a handle base, capable of being fixed at one end a stick body, - a tubular handle body, forming a gripping member for receiving a user's hand, and mounted to move longitudinally on the handle base towards and away from a distal position, - guiding means for laterally guiding the tubular handle body 15 in its displacement on the handle base, - an elastic means for biasing the tubular handle body longitudinally towards its distal position. During a pitching operation of the stick on the ground, the elastic means temporarily reduces the force exerted by the bearing end of the stick on the ground, and causes the application of an axial force in a progressive manner, which thus reduces the shock wave transmitting to the user's handle and arm. Such a handle can thus be adapted to a stick body. Placing the resilient means in the handle allows a particularly simple and inexpensive stick body structure to be maintained, taking advantage of the larger diameter handle structure to place the resilient means. In addition, this arrangement promotes the maintenance of a reduced stick inertia, to obtain good handling. Advantageously, the handle may further comprise a first stop means adapted to limit the longitudinal displacement of the tubular handle body away from the handle base, defining its distal position. This first stop means makes it possible to keep the stick a certain rigidity in the absence of a support on the ground, reducing its vibrations. In practice, the first stop means may be provided on the handle base, and its longitudinal position may advantageously be adjustable on the handle base. In this case, the adjustment of the longitudinal position of the first stop means makes it possible to give the elastic means a prestress, which modifies the force exerted by the elastic means. This adapts the shock absorption capacity, depending on the intended uses of the stick. In addition, the longitudinal position adjusting means of the first stop means can be easily accessible, being placed on the handle 5 itself, to facilitate adjustment. It is also advantageous to provide markers to enable the user to distinguish the longitudinal position of the first stop means on the handle base. The user can pre-set the stick, depending on the intended use.

According to a convenient means for performing the positional adjustment of the first stop means, it is possible for the handle base to comprise a distal longitudinal rod with a threaded section, a distal section of which emerges from the tubular handle body and receives a nut forming the first abutment means and against which is carried the distal end of the tubular handle body in distal position. The nut is a directly accessible means for adjusting the handle. The elastic means may advantageously be a helical compression spring, operatively engaged between the handle base and the handle tubular body. This produces a resilient means particularly robust, reliable and inexpensive. Advantageously, the handle base may comprise a cylindrical intermediate section, connected by a shoulder proximal to a cylindrical proximal section, and connected by a shoulder distal to a distal section, the proximal section being able to engage with a central channel of the gripping end of the stick body, the cylindrical intermediate section forming a peripheral guiding surface on which slides the tubular handle body. The handle can thus be easily adapted to a tubular stick body such as those that are commonly used. The adaptation can be done by a commitment in force and / or by bonding. The tubular handle body may advantageously comprise a proximal bearing flange on which the user's hand can be supported for a longitudinal support.

The thrust length is thus increased, the user's hand being able to rest by the fingers on the proximal bearing flange.

The handle may advantageously be provided with an attached distal head, fitted on the distal end of the tubular handle body, and constituting a possible zone of support on which the palm of the hand can be supported for a rest. longer thrust.

According to another aspect, the invention proposes a ski or trekking pole having a stick body whose end is provided with a handle as defined above. Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a ski pole or hiking during the dive step on the ground; FIG. 2 illustrates the stick of FIG. 1 during a pushing step; and FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of a stick handle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a stick 1 is shown in the dive position on the ground 2. The stick 1 comprises a stick body 3 formed of a tubular straight rod, with a contact end 4 and a grip end 5.

The gripping end 5 is provided with a handle 6. The contact end 4 comprises, slightly set back from the end, a peripheral protuberance 7 intended to limit the penetration of the stick 1 into soft ground 2 such that the snow. The peripheral protrusion 7 may for example be a washer or a ball.

The stick body 3 may be a hollow tubular rod of light alloy. The contact end 4 has a reduced diameter and is closed. The gripping end 5 is open, the opening being closed by the handle 6. The handle 6 has a generally cylindrical central zone 6a, with a diameter greater than that of the stick body 3 and adapted for good grip by the hand of a user. The median zone 6a of the handle 6 is connected to a proximal support flange 6b, of greater diameter, and forming a structure on which the user's hand can rest for a longitudinal support, that is to say in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the stick 1. The medial zone 6a is connected, on the opposite side, to a distal head 6c, attached to the handle body. In the dive position illustrated in FIG. 1, the user applies on the stick 1 a pulse 8 along the longitudinal axis of the stick 1, which plugs into the ground 2 the contact end 4 of the stick 1 A shock therefore occurs between the ground 2 and the contact end 4. Simultaneously, a shock occurs between the handle 6 and the hand of the user who actuates the stick 1.

Figure 2 illustrates the stick 1, in the thrust position. The user having progressed in the direction of progression 9, the stick 1 is tilted, and the user requests the stick 1 by an oblique thrust 10 in the axial direction of the stick 1, the contact end 4 remaining stuck in the floor 2 to take up the thrust force. The user's hand advantageously bears on the proximal collar 6b. A longest possible thrust is advantageous, to promote the progression of the user in the direction of progression 9. According to the invention, the handle 6 comprises a tubular handle body forming the central zone 6a of gripping visible in FIGS. and 2, which tubular handle body is mounted longitudinally on a handle base integral with the stick body 3, and a resilient means biasing the tubular handle body longitudinally towards its distal position as illustrated in FIG. 1. At the pinting of the stick 1 shown in FIG. 1, the user's pulse 8 on the handle 6 causes the handle 6 to move longitudinally relative to the stick body 3, as illustrated by the arrow 11 , against the return force exerted by the elastic means. This longitudinal movement 11 makes it possible to limit the force exerted by the user on the contact end 4 of the stick body 3, thereby reducing the impact between the stick body 3 and the ground 2, and simultaneously reducing the shock between the In the end of pushing, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the resilient means recalls the handle 6 towards its distal position with respect to the stick body 3, prolonging the thrust effect of the stick. the user's hand in the direction of progression 9 from the ground 2.

Referring now to FIG. 3, further illustrating, in longitudinal section, a handle structure 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention adapted to the grip end 5 of a stick body 3. found in this figure, the median zone 6a of the handle 6, as well as the proximal support flange 6b. The distal head 6c is not illustrated, or is absent from this embodiment. We distinguish the hollow tubular character of the stick body 3, consisting of a hollow cylindrical wall 3a surrounding a central channel 3b.

The handle 6 comprises a handle base 60, adapted to be attached to the gripping end 5 of the stick body 3. For this, in the illustrated embodiment, the handle base 60 comprises a stub section. Cylindrical intermediate 60a, which is connected by a proximal shoulder 60b to a proximal section 60c, and which is connected by a distal shoulder 60d to a distal section 60e. The proximal section 60c is of cylindrical shape, able to engage in the central channel 3b of the gripping end 5 of the stick body 3. The attachment of the handle base 60 to the stick body 3 can be provided by Forcibly engaging the proximal portion 60c, and / or bonding, the proximal shoulder 60b preferably abutting against the grasping end 5 of the stick body 3. The distal portion 60e of the handle base 60 forms a shank longitudinal distal with threaded section 60f.

The handle 6 further comprises a tubular handle body 61, the side surface of which forms the middle gripping zone 6a for receiving a user's hand. The tubular handle body 61 has a tubular wall 61a surrounding an axial bore 61b. The tubular wall 61a is slidably engaged longitudinally around the cylindrical intermediate portion 60a of the handle base 60, and around a distal portion of the stick body 3. The tubular handle body 61 is thus mounted with longitudinal displacement on the The handle base 60 is guided towards and away from a distal position as shown in FIG. 3. In its longitudinal movement, the tubular handle body 61 is guided by guiding means which guide it laterally. These guide means, in the illustrated embodiment, are formed by the outer cylindrical surface of the cylindrical intermediate section 60a, and possibly by the outer cylindrical surface of the gripping portion 5 of the stick body 3. The distal end of the body tubular handle 61 includes a distal shoulder 61c inside, formed by a narrowing of the tubular wall 61a which also participates in the lateral guidance of the tubular handle body 61, in that a distal section 60g of the longitudinal distal stem length Thread 60f emerges out of the tubular handle body 61 and thus passes through the narrowing of the wall 61a.

An elastic means, constituted in this embodiment by a helical compression spring 62, is functionally engaged around the distal portion 60e of the handle base 60, between the distal shoulder 60d of the handle base 562FDEP.docx 2958510 7 60 and the distal shoulder 61c inside the tubular handle body 61. In this way, the compression coil spring 62 biases the tubular handle body 61 away from the handle base 60, to a distal position in wherein the tubular handle body 61 abuts against a first abutment means 63 formed in this embodiment by a nut screwed onto the threaded portion 60f of the handle base 60. A locknut 63a serves to lock the position longitudinal position of the first abutment means 63 along the handle base 60. The longitudinal position of the first abutment means 63 on the handle base 60 may advantageously be marked by marks 64 provided on the distal section 60e in its portion 60g which emerges from the tubular handle body 61. Thus, these marks are visible to the user, who can therefore place the nut forming the first stop means 63 in the position that he chooses and who will give the desired effect.

Alternatively, the marks may be made on the grip end 5 of the stick body 3, as illustrated by reference numeral 65 in FIG. 3. In either case, the markers 64 or 65 may be engraved markings, or can be different colors. Good results can be obtained by using a helical spring 62 having a stiffness of about 12 daN / mm. In the distal position illustrated in FIG. 3, the helical spring 62 may be prestressed according to a value chosen by the user, which depends on the intended use conditions of the stick 1. When used on a walk or in a sporty walk, it can be seen that the compression of the helical spring 62 can be about 5 mm when the user bears, corresponding to a force of about 70 daN. In order to avoid residual vibrations when the force is released, in a walk or walk configuration, the first stop means 63 can advantageously be placed so that, in a distal position, the helical spring is precompressed by about 1 mm. During a sustained effort or in competition, the compression of the coil spring 62 can be up to about 20 mm, corresponding to a bearing force of about 250 daN. To prevent the handle tubular body 61 from running too much during sustained or competitive use, the first abutment means 63 may be placed so that, distally, the coil spring 62 is pre-compressed. about 6 mm.

5672FDEP.docx 2958510 8 The handle base 60 can be made of aluminum alloy. The elastic means 62 may be a spring made of steel or stainless steel. The tubular handle body 61 may be of plastics material. The length of the cylindrical intermediate portion 60a may advantageously be about 50 mm. In distal position as illustrated in Figure 3, the tubular handle body 61 can also cover the gripping end 5 of the stick body 3 by a length of about 30 mm. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but includes the various variants and generalizations thereof within the scope of the claims below.

5672FDEP.docx

Claims (1)

CLAIMS1 ù Handle (6) for ski or hiking stick (1), characterized in that it comprises: - a handle base (60), adapted to be fixed to one end of a stick body (3) - a tubular handle body (61), forming a gripping member for receiving a user's hand, and mounted to move longitudinally on the handle base (60) towards and away from a distal position, - guiding means (60a) for laterally guiding the tubular handle body (61) in its movement on the handle base (60), - resilient means (62) for longitudinally biasing the tubular handle body (61) towards its distal position. 2-handle (6) for ski or trekking pole (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a first stop means (63) adapted to limit the longitudinal displacement of the tubular handle body (61) away from the handle base (60), defining its distal position. 3-handle (6) for ski or trekking pole (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first stop means (63) is provided on the handle base (60), and its longitudinal position is adjustable based on 20 handle (60). 4-Handle (6) for ski or trekking pole (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises markers (64) to allow the user to distinguish the longitudinal position of the first means of stop (63) on the handle base (60). A handle (6) for a ski or trekking pole (1) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the handle base (60) comprises a longitudinal distal rod with a threaded section (60f), of which a distal section (60g) emerges from the tubular handle body (61) and receives a nut forming the first stop means (63) and against which the distal end of the tubular handle body (61) is carried in position distal. 6 ù Handle (6) for ski or trekking pole (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the elastic means (62) is a helical compression spring engaged functionally between the handle base (60) and the tubular handle body (61). Handle (6) for a ski or trekking pole (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the handle base (60) comprises a cylindrical intermediate section (60a), connecting by a proximal shoulder (60b) to a cylindrical proximal section (60c), and connected by a distal shoulder (60d) to a distal section (60e), the proximal section (60c) being able to engage with a proximal shoulder (60b). in a central channel (3b) of the gripping end (5) of the stick body (3), the cylindrical intermediate section (60a) forming a peripheral guide surface on which the tubular handle body (61) slides. 8 ù Handle (6) for ski or hiking stick (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tubular handle body (61) has a proximal bearing flange (6b) on which can be supported by the user's hand for longitudinal support. 9 ù Handle (6) for ski or hiking stick (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tubular handle body (61) comprises a distal head (6c) reported. 10 - A ski or trekking pole (1), having a stick body (3), one end (5) of which is provided with a handle (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.