GB2622067A - A trekking pole device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for a trekking pole, walking stick or similar having means by which it can be attached to the pole and an elongate body 6. The body has the attachment means 1, 2 at the proximal end and a resiliently deformable foot (B, fig 3) at the distal end. The body and foot may be formed as a monolithic part. Preferably the proximal end of the device maintains the longitudinal axis of the trekking pole. The distal end of the device may deviate form the longitudinal axis. The attachment means may be a resiliently clamping means. Preferably the proximal end can accommodate a spike (105, fig 3) at the end of the pole. The foot may have a grip part 4 with raised and lowered tread, the grip part may be displaceable.

Description

A TREKKING POLE DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a trekking pole device, in particular a device for amending a trekking or walking pole or similar.

Backaround

Many people in many societies are increasingly aware of the natural world around them.

This can manifest in a number of ways, for example with increased environmentalism and awareness of damage to the natural world.

Alternatively or additionally in many cases such people will be keen to spend time in the natural world, doing activities such as trekking. Trekking, hiking or rambling can be of various levels of difficulty, and older or less able people may find it helpful to use poles when trekking., hiking and rambling can be various levels of difficulty and the use of trekking poles aids balance, joint impact, and core stability. Older or less able users may also benefit.

However trekking, particularly the impacts of using traditional trekking poles, can be detrimental to the environment, causing excessive noise, and damage to rocks, trails, flora, and as well may increase upper body work for the user.

Prior Art

US 9 763 502 (RUDIN) discloses a walking stick comprising, a straight shaft terminated with a handgrip at an upper end, and with an S-flexure spring at a lower end, said S-flexure spring having a free end, distal from said straight shaft, so that said free end will contact the surface upon which a person, gripping said handgrip, is standing, said free end having an attached foot providing means for preventing said free end from sliding on the surface upon which said person is standing, wherein said free end is angled away from the person at an angle of approximately 10 to 45 degrees, wherein said S-flexure spring having a first curve and a second curve, wherein the first curve of the S-flexure spring comprises a pair of.

DE 2020 12 012 736 (PALLIS) discloses a walking with a tubular rod portion, at a first, lower in use a handle end and at an opposite second end a stick base with elastic properties, wherein, the elastic sheet stock by a foot extension of the substantially rigid rod portion is formed, the elastic extension which is elastically deformable on the rod portion and a first subsequent arcuate portion and a subsequent second portion with substantially straight shape, radially extending over a considerable distance in the direction of the user to the front and downward from the head portion extends, the length, over which the resilient extension extends, and a third the length of approximately one-sixth rod portion is.

US 2004 0 250 845 (RUDIN et al) discloses a walking aid comprising, a straight shaft terminated with a handgrip at an upper end, and with a curvilinear shaped flexure spring at a lower end, said curvilinear shaped flexure spring having a free end, distal from said straight shaft, so that said free and will contact the surface upon which a person, gripping said handgrip, is standing, said free end having an attached foot providing means for preventing said free end from sliding on the surface upon which said person is standing.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices such as modern trekking poles.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a trekking pole device comprising a pole attachment means and an elongated body, the body having the pole attachment means at a first proximal end, and a resiliently deformable foot at the distal Asinnnri end In this way it may be envisaged that the device may be easily and effectively used to convert a standard trekking pole, so as to provide a better, more secure, more comfortable and less damaging pole end during trekking, where the converted pole end will absorb and spread impacts and provide spring like energy return..

In some embodiments the body and the foot are formed as a monolithic part in a single material, for example spring steel, other metal or alloy, plastic, polymer or carbon fibre.

In some embodiments the first end of the body follows a longitudinal axis defined by the pole, wherein the first end of the body is arranged to simply continue the pole. In this way the pole may be simply adjusted in length as is common in the art, so as to accommodate any extra length provided by the device.

In some embodiments therefore the second end of the body deviates from a longitudinal axis defined by the pole. For example the second end may comprise a J shape, and S shape or other deviations arranged to Advantageously a shape may allow for effective impacts in front of a user, and rolling during walking so as to provide a more secure footing.

In some embodiments the body and foot form a continuous curvature, in a single direction which may provide a simpler shape better able to absorb impacts, as well as being easier for the user to orient in use.

In some embodiments the attachment means is a resilient clamping means which may be envisaged to clamp progressively, so as to ensure a secure fit, and/or so as to limit spinning.

In some embodiments the first end of body and the attachment means are arranged to attach to a pole having a spike end, such that the device provides a replacement for the spike.

In some embodiments the first end of body comprises a collar, so as to allow for an extended attachment means between the device and pole, thereby limiting chances of dislodging or damage to either part.

In some embodiments the collar includes a resilient inner face, which may improve grip between the collar and the pole.

In some embodiments the foot comprises a grip with raised and lowered tread at second end. Such grip may be displaceable from the pole and/or may be envisaged to improve comfort on a subordinate surfase or have or provide a raised and lowered surface so as to form a more secure footing.

In some embodiments the grip is displaceable from the second end, for example to allow for user preference and/or according to trekking conditions.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a trekking pole comprising a trekking pole device substantially as described herein.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a system of altering trekking poles with trekking pole devices substantially as described herein.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Desch fion of Fi ures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in use on a walking pole; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; riirr; ;t cFigure;3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; 3 and Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a trekking pole device 99 generally comprising a pole attachment means 1,2 and an elongated body 6, the body having the attachment means at a first proximal end, and a resiliently deformable foot B at the distal second end.

In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises an elongate resilient internal collar 5, which is arranged to extend along an axis defined by the pole.

The embodiment is substantially formed in carbon fibre, wherein the body 8 is a single monolithic part, and the embodiment provides a versatile lightweight spring/recoil trekking pole attachment which minimises noise and environmental damage when compared to conventional steel carbide pole spikes or tips.

The embodiment provides a reactive spring tip which has a cushioning effect, improving balance, core stability, traction and reducing upper body energy expenditure.

The damping means comprises an overcentre latch arm that is hinged to the collar and in use is pulled down to clamp the collar and deform it to hold the pole.

The collar 5 has at a proximal end an attachment means that is comprised by a resiliently deformable damping means formed by a discontinuous annular ring 2 with two open arms, and a lever latch arm 1 which slides on a slider pin 3 between the open arms so as to close the gap between the arms, and tighten the ring.

The device is located onto the spike 105 at the end of a standard trekking pole 100, wherein such spike is placed into the collar, and the clamping means used subsequently to hold the device on the pole.

The clamping means or collar may internally comprise resiliently deformable material and/or longitudinal ribbing so as to limit any chance of the device rotating on the spike in use.

Externally the body narrows and flattens into a flat blade which provides the distal second end of the embodiment of the device shown in the Figures.

This fiat blade continues axially and then extends away from the axis in an arcuate curvature, visible from a side view, and curving away from the longitudinal axis of the pole. The distal second end of the device provides a portion at its end that is substantially at a right angle to the pole axis, which portion may comprise the foot 8 for contact with the ground in use, so as to give sufficient contact with the ground.

The foot may be provided with a shoe 4 in some cases, as is shown in the Figures, which shoe slides or clips onto the end of the body.

Such shoe may be formed in plastic or rubber and comprise an independent, displaceable and replaceable part, which may be envisaged to clip onto and over the end of the blade.

The shoe may thereby be replaced when worn, or according to user preference. For example different embodiments of the shoe may have different raised and lowered surfaces, or tread patterns to suit different environmental conditions and terrain such as trail, rock, ice and snow.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims (13)

1. A trekking pole device comprising a pole attachment means and an elongated body, the body having the pole attachment means at a first proximal end, and a resiliently deformable foot at the distal second end.

2. A trekking pole device according to claim 1 wherein the body and the foot are formed as a monolithic part in a single malarial.

3. A trekking pole device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the first end of the body follows a longitudinal axis defined by the pole.

4. A trekking pole device according to claim ' or 2 wherein the second end of the body deviates from a longitudinal axis defined by the pole.

5. A trekking pole device according to any preceding claim wherein the body and foot form a continuous curvature.

6. A trekking pole device according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means is a resilient clamping means.

7. A trekking pole device according to any preceding claim wherein the first end of body and the attachment means are arranged to attach to a pole having a spike end.

8. A trekking pole device according to any preceding claim wherein the first end of body comprises a collar.

9. A trekking pole device according to any preceding claim wherein the collar includes a resilient inner face.

10. A trekking pole device according to any preceding claim wherein the foot comprises a grip with raised and lowered tread at second end.

11. A trekking pole device according to claim 10 wherein the grip is displaceable from the second end.

12. A trekking pole comprising a trekking pole device according to any preceding claim.

13 A system of altering trekking poles with trekking pole devices according to any of claims Ito 11.