WO2006136691A2

WO2006136691A2 - Device for mounting a ground supporting pad on a walking cane

Info

Publication number: WO2006136691A2
Application number: PCT/FR2006/001387
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippe Gallay; Julie Mallinjoud
Original assignee: Tsl Sport Equipement
Priority date: 2005-06-21
Filing date: 2006-06-15
Publication date: 2006-12-28
Also published as: EP1901630A2; FR2887125A1; WO2006136691A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (4) for removably mounting a ground supporting pad (3) on a bar (10) such as a walking cane, wherein the lower end (100) of the bar thereof comprises a catching point (11), said pad is provided with a transversal supporting surface (311) comprising positioning means for mounting/removing the pad (3) and arranging said pad in two positions, i.e. a first or retracted position, in which said catching point (11) of the cane is projected with respect to the supporting surface (311) and a second or operating position, in which the pad is arranged in such a way that it is used in the form of a support whereas the catching point (11) is retracted with respect to the supporting surface (311).

Description

DEVICE FOR MOUNTING A GROUND SUPPORT PAD ON A WORKSTREAM

The present invention relates to a walking stick and more particularly to a device for mounting a ground support pad on such a stick.

In Nordic Walking, also known as Nordic Walking or Active Walking, the practitioner uses a stick to support his arms to help him progress or to balance his movements. The manufacturers have for this specific sport developed specific pads of sticks designed to adapt to the conditions of use of the sport and to the stresses undergone during use.

Thus, a pad particularly suitable for this sport has been designed with a bearing surface in the form of a circular portion and disposed eccentrically with respect to the axis of the walking stick. Such an arrangement has the advantage in particular compared to other solutions of support pads in the form of diabolos to allow to have a longer support with the ground: in fact, the surface of the pad in contact with the ground remains identical regardless of the inclination of the stick relative to the ground.

When a walker wants to use the same stick but with a hook tip, he is obliged to disassemble the support pad to use the appropriate tip. This operation, necessary when the walker passes for example from asphalt to a natural ground, takes time and can be tedious. In addition it is necessary for the user to have a backpack or pockets to store the support pads, and they can be very dirty.

The object of the invention is then to provide a quick and easy mounting device of a support pad on the walking stick and which also allows a mixed use of the stick that is to say with the pad or the tip, without having to disassemble the pad of the stick and leaving the tip in place

To this end, the invention relates to a device for removably mounting a support pad on the ground on a rod, such as a walking stick whose lower end of its rod comprises a hooked tip, said shoe comprising a transverse bearing surface, said device being characterized in that it comprises positioning means allowing to assemble / disassemble the pad, as well as to position it in two positions, namely a first position or retracted position according to which the hitching tip of the stick protrudes from the bearing surface, and a second position or use position in which the pad is in position to act as a support while the hitching point is then recessed. relative to the bearing surface.

According to a complementary feature, the pad comprises a hub-forming central part intended to house the rod, the device comprising positioning means for angularly positioning the pad with respect to the rod, means for longitudinal positioning of the pad positioned angularly with respect to the rod. , fixing means of the pad positioned longitudinally and locking means of the longitudinally fixed pad, and in that the means for securing and locking the pad are made jointly by the introduction of a locking element in a locking element respectively integral with the hub of the pad, the pad, while the hub of the pad comprises two elements to lock.

According to another characteristic, the locking element secured to the rod has a projecting profile intended to cooperate with the hollow profile of the locking element integral with the hub of the pad or vice versa.

It will be noted that the locking element comprises at least one locking leg intended to be engaged in the locking position in the groove formed in the hub of the washer, said locking element being in the form of a frame, comprising two branches. lateral and two end branches to form a central opening.

Add that the device comprises indexing means of its unlocking position of its locking position

The invention also relates to the pad for the implementation of the device of the invention, and is characterized in that it consists of a central hub portion which extends above the bearing surface (31) forming a tabular portion around which are formed two annular grooves constituting the element to be locked.

Note that the hub of the pad extends above the bearing surface forming a tubular portion around which is formed a first annular groove constituting a first element to be locked, this first annular groove being arranged at a first distance from the bearing surface such that in locked position the lower end of the rod is below the latter and comprising a second annular groove which is provided at a second distance smaller than the first of the bearing surface such that in locked position the lower end of the rod is above the latter.

The invention also relates to the stick equipped with the device.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given by way of non-limiting examples.

Figure 1 shows a tip with its pad in a perspective view, the pad being mounted on the tip in its retracted position.

Figure la shows a tip with its pad in a side view that the support pad is being mounted on the tip.

FIG. 1b is a perspective view showing the mouthpiece

Figure Ic is a perspective view showing the support pad

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the tip with its pad according to Figure 1 fitted on a walking stick.

Figure 3a is a cross-section showing how locking is done.

Figure 3b is a cross section showing how unlocking is done.

Figure 4a shows a side view of the stick on which is fixed the pad according to the invention in the position of use of the tip. Figure 4b shows a side view of the stick on which is fixed the pad according to the invention in the position of use of the pad.

According to the invention, the support stick comprising the tip of the invention (2) is of the type intended for Nordic walking walkers.

The stick is only partially illustrated by its lower end is, in known manner, in the form of a rod (2) longitudinal profiled tubular or an adjustable assembly of longitudinal profiles whose lower end ( 10) is fitted into the nozzle according to the invention (1), while the upper end (not shown) comprises a handle with a retaining strap.

As shown, the device for mounting and retaining the support pad advantageously comprises a tip consisting of a hollow rod (10) advantageously made of plastics material, whose lower end (100) comprises a hooked metal tip ( 11), as the first support element on the ground, while 1 end (101) comprises connecting means for the second support element consisting of a pad (3).

Of course, it would not be outside the scope of the invention if the device did not include a tubular endpiece but only a tubular ring mounted on the lower end of the stick.

According to the invention, it is planned to be able to assemble / disassemble the shoe (3) quickly and easily, as well as to position it in two positions, namely a first position or retracted position (FIG. 2b, 4a) according to which the tip of hung (11) protrudes, and a second position or use position in which the pad is in the down position (Figure 2a, 4b) to serve as a support while the hitch point (11) is then recessed .

The support pad (3) provided according to the invention comprises a hub-forming central portion (30) intended to house the rod (10) and a transverse part (31) whose lower face forms a bearing surface ( 311) extending transversely to the hub (30) intended to bear on the ground.

It will be noted that the bearing surface (311) is advantageously curved and covered with a non-slip layer such as rubber. Note also that the curve (CO) of the bearing surface (311) is off-center, namely that its center (Cl) of general curvature is off-center as it appears more particularly in Figure 4a.

It will also be noted that the transverse active portion (31) of the pad is connected to the hub (30) by a plurality of connecting walls (312).

Thus, according to the invention, there is provided a device for mounting and connecting (4) the shoe (3) on the rod (10), allowing the mounting of the support pad and its locking according to the two positions described above . These means are of the type comprising positioning means for angularly positioning the pad relative to the rod, means for longitudinal positioning of the pad positioned angularly with respect to the rod, means for fixing the pad positioned longitudinally and locking means of the rod. pad fixed longitudinally according to the two positions.

According to the invention, the fixing and locking means of the shoe (3) are made jointly at least in part by the introduction of a locking element (7) integral with the rod, in a locking element (8, 80 , 80 ') integral with the hub (30) of the shoe (3), the pad being lockable in the selected position around the rod by transverse thrust on the locking member (7) from outside the rod.

According to the preferred embodiment and illustrated, the locking element (7) integral with the rod (10) has a protruding profile (70) intended to cooperate with the hollow profile (80,80 ') of the element to lock (8) integral with the hub (30) of the pad (3). It goes without saying that conversely, the projecting profile may be provided on the element to be locked and the recessed profile may be provided on the element to be locked.

According to this illustrated embodiment, the introduction of the locking element in the element to be locked prevents the longitudinal translation of the shoe (3) relative to the rod (10) of the tip. According to the illustrated embodiment, the locking element (7) is advantageously constituted by two transverse branches (71,72) connected at their ends by two curved end branches (73,74).

The locking element (7) has the general shape of a frame (7) closed on itself, formed by the two longitudinal branches (71,72) and the two curved end branches (73,74) and whose the central opening (75) formed by the frame (7) is intended to accommodate the hub (30) of the pad.

Furthermore, the locking element (7) comprises means for indexing the unlocking and locking position, constituted by at least two lateral notches (71a-71b or 72a-72b) formed on the longitudinal branch (71 or 72 ), intended to cooperate with a lug (12,13) corresponding projecting towards the inside of the endpiece so as to lock the locking element (7) to the endpiece (1) respectively in an active locking position and an inactive unlock position. This active locking position is, in the illustrated embodiment, obtained by transverse thrust according to (MON) on the locking element (7) while the inactive unlocking position is obtained by transverse thrust in the opposite direction (DEM) also on the locking element (7). Add that the end branch (74) is the locking arm intended to be engaged in the annular groove (80, 80 ') of the element to be locked. Note also that to give the necessary elasticity to the retention of the locking element (7) in its two positions, the locking arm (74) comprises a zone of less width (740) allowing the approximation of the two transverse branches (71). , 72).

In the illustrated embodiment, the tip and more particularly its eyelet (90) comprises an indexing tab (9) arranged longitudinally on the rod (10) and which then extends transversely towards the axis of the rod. below the locking element (7), thereby forming an angular and longitudinal positioning means (MP), by cooperation with a corresponding slot (81) formed in the tubular portion (8) of the pad (3). In the illustrated embodiment of the pad according to the invention, the hub (30) extends above the bearing surface (31) forming a tubular portion (8) around which is formed a first annular groove (80) constituting a first element to be locked, this first annular groove (80) being provided at a distance (dl) from the bearing surface such that in the locked position the lower end (11) of the rod (10) is below the latter (Figure 4a), the first annular groove (80) being intended to receive the locking element and more particularly its locking end branch (74).

As can be seen in FIG. 1, la, Ib, at least one longitudinal slot (81) forming complementary angular and longitudinal positioning means intended to cooperate with the indexing tab (9) of the end piece (1) is provided on the tubular portion (8), the (s) edge (s) side (ux) (810) of this slot (81) forming means (s) angular positioning.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the mounting device provided on the endpiece (1) forms an eyelet (90) connected to the remainder of the hollow rod (10) by the indexing tab (s) (9). ), the locking frame (7) being movably mounted between the two locking and unlocking positions within the empty space (e) delimited by said eyelet and the remainder of the hollow rod (10)

In the illustrated embodiment the shoe (3) comprises a through hole (310) formed in the end portion (31) forming a bearing surface and in that the tubular portion (8) of the hub (30) comprises a second groove annular (80 ') constituting a second element to be locked, this second annular groove (80') being provided at a distance (d2) from the bearing surface, such that in the locked position, the lower end (11) of a rod (10) provided with a hanging point (11) passes through the through-hole (310) in FIG. 2b, 4a. Thus, the walker can use the tip (11) of the rod while leaving locked the pad (3) to the tip (1). The invention that has just been described allows a quick and easy assembly / disassembly of a pad on a rod rod. The invention also makes it possible to position the pad in two longitudinal positions on the stick, namely a first position or retracted position of the pad (high position) according to which the hitch pin (11) projects, and a second position or position of use of the pad according to which the pad is in the low position to serve as a support while the hitch pin is then set back.

Furthermore, it may be noted that, if according to the preferred embodiment illustrated, the removable mounting device is made in the same room as the hollow rod (10) of the nozzle (1), it goes without saying that this device integrating the locking frame (7) can be reported for example by screwing on the hollow rod (10).

In addition, it may also be noted that if the illustrated embodiment shows two indexing lugs (9) symmetrical to each other with respect to the axis (X-X ') of the rod (10) which each cooperate with a longitudinal slot (81) provided for this purpose on the hub portion (30, 80) of the pad, it can very well be provided a single lug (9) cooperating with a single slot (81).

It will also be noted that the active part of the support pad,

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented by way of examples, but it also includes all the technical equivalents as well as their combinations.

If in the embodiments shown, the mounting device is provided on the stick end, it goes without saying that it can very well be directly attached to the lower end of a profile of the stick. Thus and for example the tubular portion (10) of the nozzle may not extend to the lower end of the stick, but only extend at the mounting device ..

Claims

1. Device for mounting (4) removably a ground support pad (3) on a rod (10), such as a walking stick whose lower end (100) of its rod (10) comprises a hooked tip (11), said pad comprising a bearing surface (311) transverse, characterized in that it comprises positioning means for mounting / disassembling the pad (3), as well as positioning according to two positions, namely a first position or retracted position in which the hooked point (11) of the stick protrudes relative to the bearing surface (311), and a second position or position of use in which the pad is in position to serve as support while the hooked tip (11) is then set back relative to the bearing surface (311).

2. Mounting device (4) according to claim, characterized in that the shoe (3) comprises a central portion (30) forming a hub for housing the rod (10) the device comprising positioning means for angularly positioning the shoe relative to the rod, means for longitudinal positioning of the pad positioned angularly with respect to the rod, means for fixing the pad positioned longitudinally and locking means of the pad fixed longitudinally, and in that the fixing and locking means (7,80) of the pad are made jointly by the introduction of a locking element (7) in a locking element (8, 80, 80 ') respectively integral with the hub (30) of the pad, the pad (3). , while the hub (30) of the pad comprises two elements to be locked (80, 80 ')

3.A mounting device according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking element (7,70) integral with the rod has a projecting profile intended to cooperate with the recessed profile (8,80) of the element to lock (8) integral with the hub (30) of the pad or vice versa.

4.A mounting device according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking element (7, 70) comprises at least one locking leg (74) intended to be engaged in the locking position in the groove (80, 80 '). ) made in the hub of the pad.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking element (7) is in the form of a frame, comprising two lateral branches (71, 72) and two end branches (73, 74) for forming a central opening (75).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises means for indexing its unlocking position of its locking position (71a, 71b, 72a, 72b, - 12, 13).

7. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the indexing means of the unlocking position and locking, are constituted by at least two lateral notches (71a-71b or 72a-72b) formed on the lateral transverse branch ( 71 or 72), and intended to cooperate with a lug (12, 13) corresponding projecting towards the inside of the end piece so as to lock the locking element (7) respectively in an active locking position and an inactive position unlocking.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that means for angular positioning of the pad are constituted by indexing tabs (9) extending towards the axis of the device to cooperate with corresponding slots (81) made on the skate hub.

9. Bearing pad (3) for implementing the device of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists of a central hub portion (30) which extends to above the bearing surface (31) forming a tubular portion (8) around which are formed two annular grooves (80, 80 ') constituting the element to be locked (8).

10. Support pad (3) according to claim 9, characterized in that the hub (30) extends above the bearing surface (31) forming a tubular portion (8) around which is provided a first annular groove (80) constituting a first element to be locked, this first annular groove (80) being provided at a distance (dl) from the bearing surface such that in the locked position the lower end (11) of the rod (10) is below the latter and comprising a second annular groove (80 ') which is provided at a distance (d2) from the bearing surface such that in position locked the lower end (11) of the rod (10) is above the latter.

11. Bearing frame (3) according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one longitudinal slot (81) forming complementary angular and longitudinal positioning means for cooperating with the indexing tab (9) of the end piece is provided on the tubular portion (8), the (s) side edge (s) (810) of this slot forming means (s) for angular positioning, the edge constituting the bottom (811) of this slot forming longitudinal positioning means.

12.Distance stick, characterized in that it comprises the mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9

13. Ski pole, characterized in that it comprises the pad according to any one of claims 10 to 11.