US3879048A

US3879048A - Ski pole handle

Info

Publication number: US3879048A
Application number: US315882A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald A Penney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-12-18
Filing date: 1972-12-18
Publication date: 1975-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 1992-04-22

Abstract

A ski pole handle composed on an elongate body or grip that is contoured to provide finger gripping and thumb rest portions thereon, on which body, projecting normally from the upper end thereof, is arranged a flange that is contoured along its undersurface to slope somewhat downwardly and inwardly from along its outer edge to overlap most of a skier''s thumb, the thumb joint with his hand, and the joint of his hand and index finger as he grips the handle. A lip is formed around part of the lower end of the elongate handle body extending in a normal plane therefrom as a reaction surface to support and to partially contain the bottom of the skier''s hand and a part of his lower wrist to which extension lip a support platform may be hinge connected to prevent unwanted lateral wrist bending. A wrist clamp that will open automatically when subjected to a sharp pulling force thereon is attached by a strap to the handle or is formed as part of the hinged platform.

Description

United States Patent 1 Penney 1451 Apr. 22, 1975 SKI POLE HANDLE 22 Filed: Dec. 18,1972

[21] Appl. N0.;s1s,sa2

[52] US. Cl. 280/ll.37 H [51] Int. Cl. A63C "/22 [58] Field ofSearch. 280/11.37 B, 11.37 H,

280]] 1.37 D; D34/14, 5 GS; 224/28 R, 28 A, 224/28 P, 28 G, 28 W, 5.1; 2/16, 17

Primary ExuminerDavid Schonberg Assisrun! Examiner-David M. Mitchell Attorney, Agent, or FirmC riddle & Thorpe [57] ABSTRACT A ski pole handle composed on an elongate body or grip that is contoured to provide finger gripping and thumb rest portions thereon. on which body. projecting normally from the upper end thereof. is arranged a flange that is contoured along its undersurface to slope somewhat downwardly and inwardly from along its outer edge to overlap most of a skiers thumb. the thumb joint with his hand. and the joint of his hand and index finger as he grips the handle. A lip is formed around part of the lower end of the elongate handle body extending in a normal plane therefrom as a reaction surface to support and to partially contain the bottom of the skiers hand and a part of his lower wrist to which extension lip a support platform may be hinge connected to prevent unwanted lateral wrist bending. A wrist clamp that will open automatically when subjected to a sharp pulling force thereon is attached by a strap to the handle or is formed as part of the hinged platform.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SKI POLE HANDLE BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a molded handle or grip for a ski pole formed to accommodate a skiers hand and to be supported thereto.

2. Prior Art The sport of skiing in recent times has enjoyed an increasing popularity with both young and old alike. With this increased popularity have come numerous improvements and refinements in ski equipment. Ski poles, in keeping with this trend. have undergone marked changes in configuration and in the materials used in their fabrication, with poles currently available that are strong and lightweight which are suited to the styles and aggressive forms of skiing practiced today. Such configurations have included molded handles or grips that are formed to conform to a skiers hand facilitating his maintaining his poles in a proper position and attitude. One such molded handle incorporating finger and thumb gripping areas formed thereon, is taught in an Austrian patent issued to Viktor Peternell, U.S. Pat. No. 248,310, and a similar molded contoured ski pole handle is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,436,090. The handle of U.S. Pat. No. 3,436,090, includes hand supporting projections that are similar to those of the present invention in that they extend outwardly from the handle top and bottom areas. While the hand supporting projections taught in the aforesaid patent are similar to the supporting lip and flange projections of the present invention, they are not arranged, as are the contoured projections of the present invention, to support a skiers hand should he temporarily release his grip therearound. Rather, the aforesaid patent discloses a handle that includes a flexible strap, attached to the handle bottom area, which strap interacts with the disclosed handle to properly maintain a skiers hand positioned on the handle body. While a wrist clamp, that is attached to the handle by a single strap or is formed as part of a hinged supporting platform is preferably provided with the present invention, it is arranged to be releasable and is included solely to maintain the ski pole to the skiers wrist should he take a light fall or to enable the skier to maintain the ski pole on his wrist when he is not gripping the handle.

A strapless ski pole handle utilizing upper and lower projections that extend outwardly from the top and bottom ends of a body of a ski pole handle is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,479,045. While the purpose of these projections, like the lip and flange projections of the present invention, is to support and position a skiers hand, their form and arrangement are unlike those of the present invention. The topmost projection of the grip of the present invention is formed of an essentially rigid material and is shaped uniquely from the topmost projection of the grip of the aforesaid patent. Additionally, the extension lip of the present invention can have included therewith a hinged platform contoured and arranged to fit closely to a skiers wrist and lower arm to prevent unwanted lateral wrist rotation. These differences in material, grip shape, and arrangement, are determinative of the relative operation and use of the handles of the aforesaid patent contrasted with that of the present invention. Further, the top projection of the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,479,045, is formed ofa resilient material, and is intended to bend away from the top ofthe skier s hand, allowing the hand to pass thereover, should the pole be subjected to a rotational force, such as might occur in a fall where the pole binds in the snow or against some rigid object. Whereas, the handle of the present invention is formed to closely fit into the contours of the top and bottom of the skiers hand and to release by channeling hand rotation out of contact therewith upon being subjected to a rotational force, with the contoured rigid top projection of the present invention serving to channel and direct this rotation rather than displacing away from such a rotational force. The present invention therefore unlike the aforesaid patents effects handle release by its contoured construction rather than by a displacement of any portion thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a ski pole handle formed to fit within a skiers hand having contours and end projections arranged thereon to properly position and maintain the ski pole within the hand and to temporarily support the handle in the hand should be partially release his grasp therearound.

Another object is to provide a ski pole handle having a reaction surface thereon that contacts partially cradling a skiers hand and a portion of his wrist for controlling the attitude and positioning of the ski pole to obtain an efficient energy transfer with each pole thrust.

Another object is to provide a ski pole handle having a reaction surface to which is hinge connected a separate platform as an extension thereof which platform serves to limit unwanted side to side or lateral wrist ro tation while allowing necessary vertical wrist displacement from the plane of the skiers arm.

Another object is to provide a ski pole handle that is formed to quickly and safely release from a skiers hand in the event a rotational force is applied to the ski pole.

Still another object is to provide a ski pole handle formed from an essentially rigid material as a single piece, or as a single piece having a hinged platform connected thereto, by molding methods.

Still another object is to provide a ski pole handle and platform extension thereof constructed from inexpensive materials, which handle is readily interchangeable with conventional type grips for ski poles.

Principal features of the present invention include a ski pole handle composed of an elongate body or grip portion having enlarged flange and lip extensions pro jecting outwardly from the respective top and bottom ends thereof that are formed to overlap and support the top and heel surfaces of a skier's hand closed around the elongate body.

Formed on the elongate body are contoured surfaces for accommodating a skiers palm and individual fingers therearound, and providing a rest for his thumb. The extension flange is arranged to extend outwardly from the top end of the elongate body to overlap the top of a skiers thumb, binding it against the bodys contoured thumb rest, when the thumb is flexed even slightly. A part of the extension flange is also arranged to overlap the joint between the skiers hand and index finger, the joint of his thumb and hand, and to extend well into the soft hollow at the junction between the skiers thumb and hand. The arrangement of the handle finger depressions and thumb rest and the contoured and overlapping configuration of the extension flange provide a ready reference for properly positioning the handle in a skiers hand closed therearound.

The extension flange is also intended to support the handle on top of the skier's hand. tending to prevent the displacement of the handle therefrom. should he temporarily release his fingers from engagement with the elongate body.

The handle enlarged extension lip which projects outwardly from the bottom end of the elongate body. is contoured to provide a reaction surface on which the heel or bottom of the skiers hand and a part of his wrist rests and against which he pushes downward on the pole. The extension lip is curled upwards along the opposite sides thereof to form a saddle or depression for partially containing the skiers hand therein. Additionally. a platform may be provided that is hinge connected to the rearmost edge of the extension lip as a means for further limiting unwanted wrist rotation. The extension lip provides a means for limiting wrist rotation. insuring a rigid straight wrist movement of the attached ski pole as the pole is moved into contact with a snow covered surface. and for partially containing the heel portion of a skiers hand resting thereon. which wrist rotation and containment are further limited by the inclusion of a hinged platform therewith.

A releasable clamp that is attached to the handle by a single tether strap or is formed as an integral part of the rearmost end of the hinged platform maintains the individual pole to the skier's wrist during a fall or when the pole is not held. The releasable clamp is preferably formed ofa resilient material such that the ends thereof are naturally biased towards one another. Additionally, a strap or leaf spring of flexible resilient metal can be arranged as a core for the wrist clamp. around which core the clamp is formed to provide a constant biasing of the ends thereof. The resilient biasing of the clamp is intended to be sufficient to normally maintain the clamp ends around the wrist but to be overcome. allowing the clamp ends to spread apart, releasing the wrist from therebetween, when the pole is subjected to a displacing force of sufficient magnitude that the skiers arm and wrist could be damaged.

Additional objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevation view showing the right side and back portions of a left hand ski pole handle of the present invention connected to a section of a ski pole;

FIG. 2, a side elevation view like that of FIG. I with a skiers left hand shown curling around the ski pole;

FIG. 3, a top plan view of the ski pole handle of FIG. 2 showing the handle being gripped by the skiers' hand;

FIG. 4, a side elevation view like that of FIG. 1 showing a support platform hinge connected to the ski pole handle; and

FIG. 5, a side elevation view like that of FIG. 4 with a skier's left hand and lower arm shown therewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings:

A preferred embodiment of the present invention in a ski pole handle is shown in FIGS. 1-3. The ski pole handle 10, hereinafter referred to as handle, is preferably formed as a single piece from an essentially rigid material and is axially mounted, by means not shown,

to the top end of a usual ski pole shaft 11. The handle 10 is composed of an elongated upright body portion 12 having contoured finger grooves 13 and a thumb rest 14 molded therein. and is formed to specifically fit either a right or left skier's hand 15. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the handle 10 of the present invention formed to accommodate a skiers left hand.

Integrally formed with, and extending normally from around the upper end of the body portion 12, is an extension flange 16. Extension flange 16 is contoured on one side 17 to fit snuggly against and to overlap most of the skiers thumb, including both the thumb joint and knuckle, and has an end "a that extends well over the thumb joint covering a portion of the hand 15 at the base of the thumb and at a side of the thumb opposite to the body portion 12 positioned between the thumb and index finger. The other side 18, FIG. 3, of the extension flange 16, is formed to overlap portions of the skier's index finger and the index finger joint with the skier's hand 15. A concave ridge [9 is shown. FIG. 3, formed between the extension flange sides 17 and 18. that has its undersurface contoured to fit into, overlapping the soft hollow of the skier's hand 15. The extension flange side 17, its end 170. and the extension flange side 18 are arranged to overlap the mentioned portions of a skier's hand 15 to provide supports thereto that will remain in contact with the top of the skiers hand in the event he should temporarily relax his fingers from around the body portion 12, as shown in FIG. 2. Further, the undersurface 17b of extension flange side 17 opposite to the top of the thumb rest I4 is formed as a shoulder that will bind the skiers thumb between it and the thumb rest 14, when the skier's thumb positioned therebetween is even slightly flexed or bent. The arrangement of extension flange 16 as a support for maintaining the handle 10 to a skiers hand 15, and the interaction of extension flange side undersurface 17b and thumb rest 14 provide a support arrangement for sustaining handle 10 properly positioned on the top of the skiers hand 15 even though he temporarily straightens his fingers out of their individual finger grooves l3. Should however, a rotational force be applied to the handle 10, as for example if the ski pole 11 were to be caught in an obstruction or the like. the extension flange sides 17 and 18 and thumb rest 14 are contoured such that the handle 10 is free to rotate away from the skiers thumb releasing his hand 15 and avoiding injury thereto.

Integrally formed with and extending normally from around the lower end of the body portion 12, is a contoured extension lip 20. Extension lip 20 is an essentially horizontal projection extending in a plane that is normal to the plane of the finger grooves 13 and thumb rest 14, having its opposite edges 20a and 2% somewhat upturned forming a saddle for maintaining the heel of the skiers hand 15 therein. Extension lip 20 provides a rest or reaction surface against which the heel 15b and a portion of the wrist 150 of the skier's hand 15 is positioned when he grasps handle 10, FIG. 2, with the upturned edges 20a and 20b limiting or curtailing rotation of the hand 15 around the handle 10. While the extension lip edges 20a and 20b are arranged to extend a suflicient distance out from the plane of the extension lip 20, so as to limit or curtail unwanted rotation of hand 15 around the handle 10, they do not prohibit such hand rotation should a rotational force be applied to the pole. Rather, the lip edges 20a and 20b,

when subjected to such a rotational force. ride into the surface of the heel 15b of hand 15 tending to elevate or cam the hand thereover, somewhat compressing the hand against the undersurface of the extension flange l6, and urging the hand 15 out of contact with the handle body portion 12. Of course, the extension lip edges 20a and 20b could be formed to give or bend away from the hand to insure that the handle will rotate out of contact with the hand should the need arise. Extension lip provides a stop. in addition to a rest and saddle for supporting the heel l5b of hand 15, which stop restricts wrist rotation past a plane between the hand 15 and the skiers arm 15d. By so limiting wrist rotation, as the skier holding handle it) pushes the pole into a snow covered surface. a bar is established between the wrist 15c and arm 15d. Such a bar provides a stop limiting ski pole rotation past an optimum verti cal attitude. assuring an efficient energy transfer from the skiers arm [51! to the ski pole 11.

As has already been explained herein the skiers hand 15 is closely maintained between the extension flange 16. is supported on extension lip 20 and rests between the extension lip edges 20a and 20h when his fingers and thumb are even loosely gripping the body portion 12. The coupling of the hand 15 to the handle 10 formed by the flange and extension lip described is intended to be tight but not so tight that circulation within the hand l5 would be curtailed, possibly resulting in the hand becoming cold. The coupling formed thereby is intended to support and maintain the handle it] properly positioned within the skiers hand 15 even though he should release his grip on the handle body portion 12. The handle 10 of the present invention is therefore intended to maintain itself properly positioned within a skiers hand 15 and requires no additional means. such as straps or the like. for the ski pole connected thereto to be maintained in a proper attitude. While a strap or a like means is not required, it is desirable that handle 10 have some arrangement included therewith for at least temporarily securing the pole to the skiers wrist. Such a tethering of the individual pole to the wrist allows the poles to hang or drag when not in use, such as when the skier is being pulled along by a rope tow. T-bar lift. or the like. Means for attaching the handle 10 to the skiers wrist lSc are also desirable to insure that the ski pole will remain with the skier even though he falls. Such an attachment means should however. be made to be releasable when subjected to a force of sufficient magnitude that the skiers arm or wrist might be injured if the ski pole remained connected thereto. Such a force could conceivably be applied if the ski pole became caught in the snow or even entangled in a lift mechanism.

Such a releasable attachment means fulfilling the requirements described above, for connecting the handle 10 with a skiers wrist is therefore preferably included as part of the present invention. FIGS. 1-3, show a preferred embodiment of such a connection means which includes a strap 2! that is secured on one end at 210 to the undersurface of the extension lip 20 and is connected at its other end to a mid portion of a clamp 22. Clamp 22 is preferably formed from a resilient plastic as loop which is broken at a single point 23. The clamp ends 220 and 22b formed at the broken point 23 are naturally resiliently biased towards one another. and additional biasing of the clamp ends could of course be provided by the incorporation of a strap or leaf spring of resilient metal broken also at 23, not shown. as the core of the clamp 22. The resilient characteristics of the formed clamp 22 are intended to allow the clamp ends 22a and 22b to be spread apart so that the skiers 5 wrist can pass therebetween, FIGS. 2 and 3, after which passage the clamp ends should spring back to their original attitude, clamping against the sides of the wrist 15 c.

While the strap end 210 is shown herein connected to the undersurface of the extension lip 20, it should of course be obvious that the strap end 21a could just as well be connected to any part of the handle 10 as desired which point of connection should therefore not be construed as being limited to any one point on the handle 10.

in practice, a skier spreads the clamp ends 22a and 22b apart to install the clamp 22 around his wrist. Clamp 22 releasably secures the handle 10 to the skiers wrist by a single strap 21 that is not involved in positioning or maintaining the skiers hand on the handle 10. The skier grasps the handle 10 of the present invention by fitting his hand between the extension lip and

flange

20 and 16 respectively, so that his fingers and thumb are curled around the body portion 12 with the heel 15b of his hand 15 supported between the upturned extension lip edges 20a and 20b and the end 170 of the extension flange side 17 overlapping the thumb joint and a portion of the hand 15.

Each of the skiers fingers are intended to rest in an appropriate contoured finger groove 13 with his thumb supported on the thumb rest l4. So arranged. the skiers thumb lies between the undersurface l7b of the side 17 of the extension flange l6 and the opposite top surface of the thumb rest 14 with the end 170 thereof overlapping the thumb joint and a portion of his hand 15. The surfaces opposing thumb rest 14 and extension flange undersurface 17b are formed such that even a slight binding of the thumb joints will tend to bind the thumb therebetween. With the skiers hand 15 installed around the body portion l2, heel 15b of the hand and a portion of his wrist 15: are supported on the extension lip 20, and between the upturned edges 20a and 20b thereof, with extension lip 20 providing a rigid rest that curtails wrist 15c rotation around the plane of the skiers arm, establishing a bar transfer of energy therebetween. Energy transfer from the arm to the pole H is thereby maximized as the pole 11 is maintained in the proper attitude with respect to the skiers arm.

The contoured body portion 12 and the extension lip and

flange

20 and 16 respectively are intended to closely maintain and properly position the handle 10 within the skiers hand 15, as has been explained. The handle arrangement additionally serves to support the hand thereto should the skiers grasp therearound be released, but will allow hand rotation away from the handle should a rotational force be applied to the pole I]. The arrangement of handle 10 therefor insures that the skiers arm or hand will not be injured should the ski pole bind against some object or become entangled. as in a ski lift or the like.

While a handle formed as a single piece from a semirigid material. such as a plastic. is a preferred form of construction, it should be understood that other manufacturing methods could be utilized and the handle could be formed in sections that are joined together. Also, while a clamp attached by a strap to the handle is shown herein as the preferred means for attaching the handle 10 to a skiers wrist, other attachment means. such as a continuous strap encircling the skiers wrist or the like could also be used as a handle to wrist attachment means without departing from the subject matter coming with the scope of this invention.

A second embodiment of the present invention of a ski pole handle is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Shown therein, the ski pole handle 30, hereinafter referred to as handle, like the handle 10 is connected to the top of a usual ski pole shaft 31 and consists of an elongate upright body portion 32, having contoured finger grooves 33 and thumb rest portions 34, especially formed to fit a skiers hand 35, FIG. 5. lntegrally formed with and extending normally from around the upper and lower ends of the body portion 32 are an extension flange 36 and an extension lip 37. Extension flange 36 is formed like the extension flange l6 of the first embodiment having contoured sides which overlap portions of the top of the skiers hand 35, extending well over the thumb joint on one side, and over the index finger and the index finger joint with the hand 35 on the other side. Extension flange 36 also like the extension flange 16 of the first embodiment has a concave ridge formed between the sides thereof which fits into and overlaps the soft hollow 35a of the skiers hand 35.

The extension lip 37 ofthis embodiment is essentially like the extension lip of the first embodiment in that it is formed having an essentially flat reaction surface for supporting the heel 35b of the skiers hand 35 with the edges of

opposite sides

37a and 37b thereof upturned forming a saddle on which the heel 35b rests to curtail unwanted lateral hand movement. Extension lip 37 however, is distinctive from the extension lip 20 of the first embodiment in that a leaf 38a of a double leaf hinge 38 is formed along the rearmost edge 36c thereof that is closest to the skiers body when the handle is held by hand 35, as shown in FIG. 5. The hinge leaf 38a is arranged to receive and connect with a mating hinge leaf 38b arranged on the end of an arm and wrist support platform 39 forming a double leaf hinge 38 when a pin 38(- is inserted therethrough. FIGS. 4 and 5.

The arm and wrist support platform, hereinafter referred to as platform, like the

extension lips

20 and 37, is a reaction surface that will support and contain a part of the skiers lower arm and wrist. The platform 39 is intended to be connected by double leaf hinge 38 to extension lip 37 and by a clamp 40 to the skiers forearm d, FIG. 5, such that some vertical movement of the hand 35 around the horizontal plane of the wrist 35c and forearm 35d is allowed, but angular motion of the hand across the horizontal plane is prohibited. Platform 39, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, consists of a contoured lower arm and wrist engaging portion 390, from which portion edges 39b and 39c are curved upwardly therefrom to partially envelop the skiers lower forearm 35d and wrist 35c. Clamp maintains the end of the platform 39, opposite to double leaf hinge 38, to the skiers forearm 35d, and is shown formed as an integral part of the platform 39. The clamp 40 consists of opposing curved clamp sides 400 that project upwardly from rearmost portions of

edges

39b and 39c of platform 39, opposite to double leaf hinge 38, to encircle a skiers forearm 35d positioned therebetween. Clamp 40, like the clamp 22 of the first embodiment, is formed from a naturally resilient material such that the ends 40b are biased towards one another. Of course, like the clamp 22 of the first embodiment, a resilient metal strap or leaf spring arrangement may be arranged as the clamp 40 core, with resilient materials being formed therearound to provide a spring biasing of the clamp ends 40b towards each other.

Clamp 40, like the clamp 22 of the first embodiment, is intended to connect the platform 39 to the skier during normal skiing operations, but to readily release from his arm 35d should the ski pole handle 30 be subjected to a rotational force which might injure the skier unless the clamp 40 were to release therefrom. The ends 40b of clamp 40 should therefore be urged towards one another, but such urging should not be so strong that the clamp ends 40b will not spread apart when the forearm 350 is forced outwardly therebetween as when a rotational force is applied to the handle 30. Clamp 40 could, of course, be formed separately from platform 39 with the web portion thereof between the clamp sides 40a arranged to contact the undersurface of the platform 39, extending there around such that the clamp sides 40a practically encircle the forearm 350. Also, the clamp 40 could conceiv ably be formed separately and tethered, by an appro priate line, to a point on the platform 39.

As has been disclosed herein, the platform 39 is preferably connected to the handle extension lip 37 by the double leaf hinge arrangement 38. While the double leaf hinge 38 shown is preferred, it could of course be replaced with an integral plastic or like living hinge formed of a polypropylene like plastic arranged to join respective edges of the extension flange 37 and platform 39. Or, any other such hinge arrangement could be employed.

Arranged to project from the undersurface of the platform 39 and extension lip 37, opposite to the respective hinge leafs 38a and 38b, are stops 41a and 41b. Stops 41a and 41b each have opposing flat faces 42a and 42b formed thereon which will butt against one another when the extension lip 37 is rotated to a desired angular point that is only slightly past the plane of the platform 39. Contact of the respective faces 42a and 42b of stops 41a and 41b therefore limit the skiers wrist rotation past an optimum point of angular dis placement of the hand 35 with respect to the forearm 35d. A maximum transfer of energy is thereby insured between the forearm 35d and the held ski pole. The optimum angle of pole 31 to forearm 35d is shown best in FIG. 5, wherein the platform 39 and extension lip 37 are so arranged that the stop faces 42a and 42b butt against each other.

The ski pole handle embodiment 30, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 essentially involves the attachment of platform 39 to the handle 10 of the first embodiment. This combination provides a ski pole handle 30 which, by its construction, is self-supporting to the skier's hand, provides a rigid locking to the skiers hand and arm preventing lateral wrist movements, while allowing the wrist to bend to a desired angular attitude. At which desired angular attitude the wrist is prevented from further bending by butting contact of faces 42a and 42b of opposing stops 41a and 41b arranged on the platform 39 and extension lip 37, providing a bar lock between the arm and hand. With platform 39 closely held by clamp 40 to the skiers forearm 35d, should a rotational force be applied thereagainst, then the clamp sides 400 will spread apart allowing the forearm 35d to pass therebetween. Handle 30, like handle 10, is therefore constructed to automatically release from contact with the skiers extremity should a sufficient rotational force be applied to the pole 3i.

Although preferred forms of my invention have been herein disclosed, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is made by way of example and that variations are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims, which subject matter I regard as my invention.

I claim: 1. A ski pole handle comprising an elongate body formed to accommodate a skiers hand therearound, arranged to be secured axially to a ski pole; an extension flange projecting normally from the upper end of said body to overlie a portion of the skiers hand: an extension lip projecting from the lower end of said body so as to underlie a portion of the skier's hand; and a clamping means secured to one end of a strap, which strap is connected on its other end to said ski pole handle, wherein the clamping means is formed from a continuous loop, that is broken at a single point, of a resilient material such that the ends thereof are biased towards one another. 2. A ski pole handle comprising an elongate body formed to accommodate a skiers hand therearound, arranged to be secured axially to a ski pole;

an extension flange projecting normally from the upper end of said body to overlie a portion of the skiers hand; an extension lip projecting from the lower end of said body portion so as to underlie a portion of the skicrs hand; and a clamping means secured to one end of the strap, which strap is connected on its other end to said ski pole handle, wherein the strap secured on its one end to the clamping means is secured on its other end to the undersurface of the extension lip; and

a strap of resilient metal is arranged as the core of said clamping means.

3. A ski pole handle comprising an elongate body formed to accommodate a skiers hand therearound, arranged to be secured axially to a ski pole;

an extension flange projecting normally from the upper end of said body that overlies both the skiers thumb joint and knuckle, a portion of his hand, a portion of his index finger, and the index finger joint with said hand;

a thumb rest formed as an outward projection from said body whose upper surface is arranged opposite to the undersurface of a portion of said extension flange spaced therefrom an amount to accommodate a skiers thumb closely therebetween;

an extension lip projecting from the lower end of said body portion so as to underlie the heel of the skiers hand and a portion of his wrist;

a clamping means secured to one end of a strap, which strap is connected on its other end to said ski pole handle; and

said clamping means being formed from a continuous loop, that is broken at a single point, of a resilient material such that the ends thereof are biased towards one another.

4. A ski pole handle comprising an elongate body formed to accommodate a skiers hand therearound, arranged to be secured axially to a ski pole;

an extension flange projecting normally from the upper end of said body that overlies both the skiers thumb joint and knuckle. a portion of his hand, a portion of his index finger. and the index finger joint with said hand;

a clamping means secured to one end of a strap, which strap is connected on its other end to said ski pole handle; and wherein the strap secured on its one end to the clamping means is secured on its other end to the under surface of the extension lip; and

a strap of resilient material is arranged as the core of said clamping means.

5. A ski pole handle comprising an elongate body formed to accommodate a skiers hand therearound, arranged to be secured axially to a ski pole;

a reaction platform contoured to accommodate part of the skiers arm and wrist thereon;

means for rotatably connecting one end of said reaction platform to the lower end of said body; and

means for releasably connecting the opposite end of said reaction platform to the skiers arm.

6. A ski pole handle as recited in claim 5, wherein the reaction platform has the edges of its opposite sides upturned to extend outwardly from said reaction platform forming a saddle therewith to support part of the skiers wrist and arm.

7. A ski pole handle as recited in claim 5, wherein the means for rotatably connecting one end of said reaction platform to the lower end of said body consists of a double leaf hinge, one leaf of which is formed along the one end of said reaction platform, with the other leaf thereof formed to connect to the lower end of said body; and

pin means for insertion through said hinge leaves.

8. A ski pole handle as recited in claim 5, wherein the means for rotatably connecting one end of said reaction platform to the lower end of said body consists of an integral plastic hinge arranged therebetween.

9. A ski pole handle as recited in claim 5, wherein the means for releasably connecting the end of said reaction platform to the skiers arm consists of a clamping means arranged to project upwardly from the sides of said reaction platform for releasably coupling said reaction platform to the skiers arm.

10. A ski pole handle as recited in claim 9, wherein the clamp means consist of opposite clamp sides which project outwardly from the arm contacting sides of said reaction platform, which clamp sides are curved such that the unconnected ends thereof are close to each other; and

means for biasing the unconnected clamp ends towards each other.

Claims

1. A ski pole handle comprising an elongate body formed to accommodate a skier''s hand therearound, arranged to be secured axially to a ski pole; an extension flange projecting normally from the upper end of said body to overlie a portion of the skier''s hand; an extension lip projecting from the lower end of said body so as to underlie a portion of the skier''s hand; and a clamping means secured to one end of a strap, which strap is connected on its other end to said ski pole handle, wherein the clamping means is formed from a continuous loop, that is broken at a single point, of a resilient material such that the ends thereof are biased towards one another.

2. A ski pole handle comprising an elongate body formed to accommodate a skier''s hand therearound, arranged to be secured axially to a ski pole; an extension flange projecting normally from the upper end of said body to overlie a portion of the skier''s hand; an extension lip projecting from the lower end of said body portion so as to underlie a portion of the skier''s hand; and a clamping means secured to one End of the strap, which strap is connected on its other end to said ski pole handle, wherein the strap secured on its one end to the clamping means is secured on its other end to the undersurface of the extension lip; and a strap of resilient metal is arranged as the core of said clamping means.

3. A ski pole handle comprising an elongate body formed to accommodate a skier''s hand therearound, arranged to be secured axially to a ski pole; an extension flange projecting normally from the upper end of said body that overlies both the skier''s thumb joint and knuckle, a portion of his hand, a portion of his index finger, and the index finger joint with said hand; a thumb rest formed as an outward projection from said body whose upper surface is arranged opposite to the undersurface of a portion of said extension flange spaced therefrom an amount to accommodate a skier''s thumb closely therebetween; an extension lip projecting from the lower end of said body portion so as to underlie the heel of the skier''s hand and a portion of his wrist; a clamping means secured to one end of a strap, which strap is connected on its other end to said ski pole handle; and said clamping means being formed from a continuous loop, that is broken at a single point, of a resilient material such that the ends thereof are biased towards one another.

4. A ski pole handle comprising an elongate body formed to accommodate a skier''s hand therearound, arranged to be secured axially to a ski pole; an extension flange projecting normally from the upper end of said body that overlies both the skier''s thumb joint and knuckle, a portion of his hand, a portion of his index finger, and the index finger joint with said hand; a thumb rest formed as an outward projection from said body whose upper surface is arranged opposite to the undersurface of a portion of said extension flange spaced therefrom an amount to accommodate a skier''s thumb closely therebetween; an extension lip projecting from the lower end of said body portion so as to underlie the heel of the skier''s hand and a portion of his wrist; a clamping means secured to one end of a strap, which strap is connected on its other end to said ski pole handle; and wherein the strap secured on its one end to the clamping means is secured on its other end to the under surface of the extension lip; and a strap of resilient material is arranged as the core of said clamping means.

5. A ski pole handle comprising an elongate body formed to accommodate a skier''s hand therearound, arranged to be secured axially to a ski pole; a reaction platform contoured to accommodate part of the skier''s arm and wrist thereon; means for rotatably connecting one end of said reaction platform to the lower end of said body; and means for releasably connecting the opposite end of said reaction platform to the skier''s arm.

6. A ski pole handle as recited in claim 5, wherein the reaction platform has the edges of its opposite sides upturned to extend outwardly from said reaction platform forming a saddle therewith to support part of the skier''s wrist and arm.

7. A ski pole handle as recited in claim 5, wherein the means for rotatably connecting one end of said reaction platform to the lower end of said body consists of a double leaf hinge, one leaf of which is formed along the one end of said reaction platform, with the other leaf thereof formed to connect to the lower end of said body; and pin means for insertion through said hinge leaves.

9. A ski pole handle as recited in claim 5, wherein the means for releasably connecting the end of said reaction platform to the skier''s arm consists of a clamping means arranged tO project upwardly from the sides of said reaction platform for releasably coupling said reaction platform to the skier''s arm.