WO2009154467A1

WO2009154467A1 - Longitudinally adjustable pole

Info

Publication number: WO2009154467A1
Application number: PCT/NO2009/000182
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ernst Albin Hansen
Original assignee: Ernst Albin Hansen
Priority date: 2008-06-18
Filing date: 2009-05-14
Publication date: 2009-12-23
Also published as: NO20082762A; NO327305B1

Abstract

Longitudinally adjustable pole comprising a lower pole part (1), an upper pole part (2) and a handle (3) connected to the upper pole part (2), in which the lower and the upper pole parts (1,2) are telescopically interconnected and fastened to a spring device (4) which sets up a repelling force between the lower and the upper pole part (1,2) during compression. The pole length is regulated stepwise by a mechanism that releases and locks the lower and the upper pole part (1,2). The invention is further characterized in that the pole comprises a first release device (5) and a second release device (6), both arranged close to the upper part of the pole, with the purpose to adjust the pole length, that with one or more pushes/pressures on the first release device (5) and the second release device (6) reduces and increases respectively the pole length with one or more corresponding steps.

Description

Title:

Longitudinally adjustable pole The present invention relates to a longitudinally adjustable pole comprising a lower pole part, an upper pole part and a handle fastened to the upper pole part. Both the lower and the upper pole parts are connected telescopically to a spring device which induces a repelling force between the lower and the upper pole part during compression, and the length of the pole is stepwise regulated by a mechanism that releases and locks the lower and the upper pole part. Specifically, the pole may according to the invention be applied during activities such as cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, roller blading, roller skating, snowshoeing and Nordic Walking / pole walking. The invention also relates to a method for longitudinally adjusting a pole, as stated in the introductory part of claim 10. Poles such as poles for skiing and/or walking are presently used in a multitude of applications. In addition to skiing such as cross-country skiing and alpine skiing, the poles are also used for sports and activities such as roller blading, roller skating, snowshoeing and Nordic Walking. In fact, the herein disclosed poles for ski and/or walking may be used in all forms of activities where poles improve the skills of the user, e.g. with regard to propulsion, balance and swinging. Recent research has shown that correct adjusted pole lengths significantly influences the energy consumption ("Energy expenditure and comfort during Nordic Walking with different pole lengths", E. A. Hansen and G. Smith, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23: 1187- 1194, 2009). Hence, correct choice of pole length is often of significant importance to achieve optimum performance ("Pole length affects cross-country skiers' performance in 80 m double poling on snow ", E. A. Hansen and T. Losnegard, submitted to Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise). This is particularly the case for Nordic Walking, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and skiing in outlying fields. For example, in activities such as cross-country skiing and Nordic Walking the athletes have to choose a pole length that is a compromise between a multitude of different pole lengths, where any one of them could have been optimal in given situations such as in a certain passage in a hilly terrain. Within the field of cross-country skiing it is e.g. known that relatively long cross-country poles are optimal in flat parts or down hill. However, in the field of alpine skiing relatively long poles are advantageous during the initial part of the race, i.e. when the skier accelerates by poling, while shorter poles are preferred during the remaining part of the piste.

During the last years several designs of ski poles have been disclosed that allows a longitudinal pole adjustment by the user. An example of such a longitudinally adjustable ski pole is disclosed in FI 59728 where the length is adjusted stepwise by releasing a locking mechanism by use of a locking handle. If the pole is not exposed for pressure in the longitudinal direction, the beforehand given spring tension will increase the pole length. Length reduction is achieved by a downward directed pressure performed by the user after compression of the locking handle. Therefore, to reduce the pole length the user must enforce pressure on the pole. This makes the solution more difficult to operate compared to the present invention. The latter advantage is of utmost importance when time is a critical factor, e.g. during competitions.

In addition to the above mentioned publication other publications exist in which various solutions for longitudinally adjustable poles are disclosed, for example CA1182140, AT148561, SE113312, NO149457, WO0108526 and EP1321174. However, all of said solutions have a common disadvantage: the longitudinal adjustment is a relatively time consuming process compared to the present invention. In addition, non of said publications describe a solution using two physically separated release devices for length reduction and length increase, respectively, and which is stated in claim 1.

On the basis of the given prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a low weight pole, in which its length may be adjusted in an easy, more manageable and secure way relative to the prior art. A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a pole that is applied in activities comprising cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, roller blading, roller skating, snowshoeing and Nordic Walking, and in which the length may be adjusted with high precision, even when the user is in rapid motion and/or under hard physical and/or psychological stress. Said objects are achieved by a pole as stated in the introductory part, and that have the characteristic features as stated in claim 1. The method for longitudinal adjustment has the characteristic features as stated in claim 10. Preferred embodiments of the invention are stated in the independent claims.

The invention will be further described below in connection with example of embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein figure 1 shows a schematic, sectional drawing of a pole in which the individual components are illustrated, figure 2 and figure 3 shows details of figure 1 for the second and the fourth, elongated part, respectively, figure 4 shows a preferred gearwheel mechanism comprising two gearwheels with locking mechanism, and figure 5 shows in detail the first elongated part according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

The sectional drawing in figure 1 illustrates a longitudinally adjustable pole comprising a lower pole part 1 , a upper pole part 2 and a handle 3 that is connected to the upper pole part 2. The lower and the upper pole part 1,2 are interconnected telescopically, and both are in contact with a spring device 4 which induces a repelling force between the lower and the upper pole part 1 ,2 during compression. The length of the pole is stepwise regulated by at least one inner mechanism that releases and locks the lower and the upper pole part 1,2. The regulations/adjustments of the length are operated by two release devices 5,6, for example designed with finger operated push- buttons installed in the vicinity of the upper part of the pole. One push/squeeze on the first release device 5 reduces the pole length with a least one step, and repeated pushes/squeezes cause further stepwise reductions. One push/squeeze on the second release device 6 causes an increase of the pole length with at least one step, and in a similar way as for the first release device 5, repeated pushes/squeezes on the second release device causes the pole length to increase with further steps. The degree of precision and the total length reduction/increase depends on the number of available steps, and the distance between the steps (herein called length intervals), within the inner mechanism of the pole. A preferred embodiment of a pole applied in crosscountry skiing may as an example have a longitudinally adjustment comprising 4 length intervals, each of 2.5 cm, giving a total length increase/reduction of 10 cm. Such an embodiment is illustrated in figure 1.

Preferred inner mechanisms providing stepwise length reduction and length increase will be described. However, it should be emphasized that the present invention comprises all poles covered by the features stated in claim 1. Length reduction:

A reduction of the pole length takes place by compressing a first release device 5 a certain length, e.g. 2.5 cm. Said device is arranged partly within the handle 3. This compression results in a movement of two elongated parts downwards along the longitudinal direction of the pole, namely a first elongated part 8 and a second elongated part 9, respectively. Such a simultaneous downward directed movement of the first and the second elongated part 8,9 may be achieved by for example a protrusion 12 from the first elongated part 8 located above the second elongated part 9. The force that is enforced on the first release device 5 must counteract the force set up by a spring device 4. The second elongated part 9 has one or more protrusions 14 arranged on the side that is directed towards the centre of the pole, and one of these will push out a catch lever 16 from an opening 15, where said catch lever 16 and said opening 15 are arranged on a fourth and a third elongated part 11,10, respectively. The opening 15 is one of several openings 15 that have been added to the third elongated part 10. The latter part 10 is preferably arranged in centre or close to the centre of and within the pole.

Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the one or more protrusions 14 that in an efficient way will push out the catch lever 16. Moreover, the one ore more openings 15 are designed in such a way as to render possible a further, simultaneous movement pass the opening 15. The latter feature prevents the protrusion 12 to block the first elongated part 8 to surpass the required movement length.

Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the catch lever 16 which makes it possible to push out the catch lever 16 from the opening 15 without influencing the position of the fourth elongated part 11. In this embodiment a rotatable mechanism 17 is applied between the catch lever 16 and the fourth elongated part 11, while a return device 18 returns the catch lever 16 back to its initial position. The latter device 18 may for example be an elastic leaf spring. When the catch lever 16 is released, the fourth elongated part 11 is moved up to an above lying opening 15 of the third elongated part 10 by the application of a coupling mechanism 13, for example a gearwheel mechanism. This shortens the pole, and at the same time compresses the spring device 4. The first release device 5 is subsequently released, and with the aid of the spring tension in a second spring device 7a, which ends are fastened to the first release device 5 and the upper end of the upper pole part 2, respectively, the first release device 5 returns to the initial position for again to be in position for a new length reduction. If a gearwheel mechanism 13 is applied, it is necessary to manufacture the first elongated part 8 and the fourth elongated part 11 with grooves 19,20 capable of intervening/engaging with the grooves 21 of the gearwheel mechanism 13. To render possible return of the first elongated part 8 it is desirable to apply a gearwheel mechanism 13 with at least two gearwheels 13a, 13b and a locking mechanism, and where the first elongated part 8 and the fourth elongated part 11 are arranged in such a way as to engage with each gearwheel 13a, 13b. Figure 4 illustrates an example of such a gearwheel mechanism. When the first elongated part 8 is guided down and engaged with the first gearwheel 13 a, a further downward motion would result in a similar rotation of the second gearwheel 13b. When the first release mechanism 5 is released, and the first elongated part 8 is moved up due to the second spring mechanism 7a, the locking mechanism is released, thereby allowing only the first gearwheel 13a to rotate. In this embodiment it is important that a gap exist between the first elongated part 8 and the coupling mechanism/gearwheel mechanism 13 having a gap size identical or close to identical to the relative distance between the protrusion 14 and its closest positioned opening 15. A too small gap would result in a blocking of the first release device, while a too big gap would result in an unintentional length increase. Length increase: An increase in the length of the pole is enabled by a second release device 6 arranged partly within the handle 3. The device 6 is pushed down a certain length, for example 1 cm, resulting in a downward motion of the second elongated part 9. The catch lever 16 is consequently pushed out of the opening 15 by one of the protrusions 14 located on the second elongated part 9. The spring force of the spring device 4 would subsequently separate the lower pole part 1 and the upper pole part 2 until the catch lever 16 intervene with a new opening 15 on the third elongated part 10, hence locking the pole against further length increase. The second spring device 7b, which ends are fastened to the second release device 6 and the upper end of the upper pole part 2, respectively, returns the second release device 6 to the initial position for again to be in position for a new length increase.

The required pressure is significantly less at length increase than at length reduction since the former process is effective with the spring force of the spring device 4. Therefore, if the pole is employed in activities such as cross-country skiing, Nordic Walking or the like, a practical solution may be to arrange the two release mechanisms 5,6 in positions such as to facilitate the application of the thumb and the index finger for length reduction and length increase, respectively. However, it is also possible to arrange the release devices for optimizations of other finger combinations.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in figure 5. The first elongated part 8 is an assembly comprising a third spring device 22 arranged within the upper part of the first elongated part 8 and above the lower part of the first elongated part 8, a slit 23 in the upper part of the first elongated part 8, and a mainly rectangularly formed part 24 which is adjusted and arranged within the slit 23 and which is steadily connected to the lower part of the first elongated part 8. When the first release device 5 is pushed down, the whole assembly comprising the first elongated part 8 is moved down until its lower end touches the coupling mechanism 13. The contact between the first elongated part 8 and the coupling mechanism 13 sufficiently increases the further resistance of movement to obtain a tension in the third spring device 22. If contact is achieved between the lower end of the first elongated part 8 and the coupling mechanism 13 before the protrusion 14 passes its closest positioned opening 15, this embodiment prevents the risk of unintentional length increase even when said gap between the lower end of the first elongated part 8 and the coupling mechanism 13 is not identical or close to identical to said relative distance between the protrusion 14 and its closest positioned opening 15.

A further embodiment of the invention is to replace the fixed protrusion 12 with a spring loaded protrusion, for example a bullet connected to a spring mechanism (not shown). Such an embodiment has the advantageous of preventing blockade of the further downward directed movement of the first elongated part 8, even with a more simple design of the one or more protrusions 14 and/or the one or more openings 15. For example, the design of the protrusion and the opening may comprise a simple lump and a simple hole, respectively.

A further embodiment of the invention is to construct the inner mechanism of the pole so that the length reduction and the length increase occur with and against the spring power of the spring device 4, respectively. Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous during activities such as alpine skiing where rapid length reduction is preferable after a period of intense poling. Likewise, a configuration where the length reduction of a certain length occurs by use of fewer steps, for example by 1-2 length intervals, may be advantageous. The latter embodiment may be implemented by a simple remodelling/change of the described inner mechanism of the pole. It is preferable that clear markings are present on the part of the pole which slides in and out of the upper pole part 2 so that the user may easily check if the pole(s) is/are adjusted to the desired length(s).

The pole may with advantage be manufactured by light weight materials such as composite materials, plastic materials, titanium, aluminium and carbon. Such light weight materials may be used in the manufacture either alone or in combination.

Claims

180486-TRC l a i m s

1. Longitudinally adjustable pole comprising a lower pole part (1), an upper pole part (2) and a handle (3) connected to the upper pole part (2), in which the lower and the upper pole parts (1,2) are telescopically interconnected and fastened to a spring device (4) which sets up a repelling force between the lower and the upper pole part (1,2) during compression, and where the length of the pole is regulated stepwise, characterized in that the pole comprises a first release device (5) and a second release device (6), both arranged close to the upper part of the pole, with the purpose to adjust the length of the pole, in which one or more pushes / pressures on the first release device (5) and the second release device (6) reduces and increases respectively the pole length with one or more corresponding steps.

2. Longitudinally adjustable pole according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the two release devices (5,6) are connected to one or more second spring devices (7a,7b) to render possible return of the at least one release device (5,6) without addition of external force.

3. Longitudinally adjustable pole according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pole comprises at least one spring device (4), at least four elongated parts (8-11) arranged parallel or close to parallel to each other within the upper pole part (2), and a coupling mechanism (13) that renders possible controlled, relative movement of two (8,11) of the elongated parts (8-11), wherein the four elongated parts (8-11) further comprises a first elongated part (8) where the upper end is fastened to, or integrated with, the first release device (5), and where at least one protrusion (12) is arranged on the upper part of the first elongated part (8) a second elongated part (9) having one or more protrusions (14) located along one longitudinal side of the second elongated part (9), a third elongated part (10) having one or more openings (15) located along one longitudinal side of the third elongated part (10), with one or more length intervals that are equal or close to equal to the one or more length intervals between the one or more protrusions (14), a fourth elongated part (11) having at least one catch lever (16) connected to the upper end of the fourth elongated part (11), which catch lever (16) is designed such that it or they is/are lockable when intervened with the one or more openings (15) on the third elongated part (10), plus releasable during pressure from the one or more protrusions (14) on the second elongated part (9)

4. Longitudinally adjustable pole according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that a reduction of the pole length takes place against the spring force of the spring device (4), and an increase of the pole length occurs with the spring force of the spring device (4).

5. Longitudinally adjustable pole according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that a reduction of the pole length occurs with the spring force of the spring device (4), and an increase of the pole length occurs against the spring force of the spring device (4).

6. Longitudinally adjustable pole according to one of claims 3-5, characterized in that one of the longitudinal sides of the first elongated part (8) and one of the longitudinal sides of the fourth elongated part (11) have grooves (19,20) along whole or part of the sides, in which the grooves (19,20) on the two elongated parts (8,11) are directed inwards toward the centre of the upper pole part (2), and in which the coupling mechanism (13) is connected to both the first elongated part (8) and the fourth elongated part (11) by engagement of the grooves (19,20) into the corresponding grooves (21) on the coupling mechanism (13).

7. Longitudinally adjustable pole according to claim 6, characterized in that the coupling mechanism (13) comprises at least two gearwheels (13a,13b) that are arranged adjacent each other, and where the first elongated part (8) and the fourth elongated part (11) engage into each gearwheel (13a, 13b), wherein a locking mechanism in the at least two gearwheels (13a, 13b) causes all the . at least two gearwheels (13,13b) to follow each other when they rotate in a direction that moves the fourth elongated part (11) upwards in direction towards the upper part of the pole, while only one of the at least two gearwheels (13a, 13b) rotates in a direction that moves the first elongated part (8) upwards in direction towards the upper part of the pole.

8. Longitudinally adjustable pole according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two release devices (5,6) are located close to the upper pole part (2) for operation employing thumb finger and index finger, respectively.

9. Longitudinally adjustable pole according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pole is manufactured of light weight materials such as composite materials and/or plastic materials and/or titanium and/or aluminium and/or carbon.

10. Method for stepwise length adjustment of pole applying mechanism that releases and lock a lower and an upper pole part (1,2), comprising the lower pole part (1), the upper pole part (2) and a handle (3) connected to the upper pole part (2), in which the lower and the upper pole parts (1,2) are telescopically interconnected and fastened to a spring device (4) which sets up a repelling force between the lower and the upper pole part (1,2) during compression, characterized in that the pole length is adjusted by applying two release devices (5,6) mounted close to the upper part of the pole, in which one or more pushes/pressures on the first release device (5) and the second release device (6) reduces and increases, respectively, the pole length with one or more corresponding steps.