WO2013068285A1

WO2013068285A1 - Joint device for a pole for a sports track, and pole incorporating such a joint device

Info

Publication number: WO2013068285A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/071540
Authority: WO
Inventors: Diego Osvaldo Parigi
Original assignee: Liski S.R.L.
Priority date: 2011-11-09
Filing date: 2012-10-31
Publication date: 2013-05-16
Also published as: ITMI20112034A1

Abstract

The joint device (2) for a pole for a sports track, comprises a first longitudinal element (5) for connecting to the tubular body (3) of the pole, a second longitudinal element (6) for connecting to the end-piece (4) of the pole, a stack of rings (7) interposed between the first connecting element (5) and the second connecting element (6), a flexible tie rod (8) for connecting between the first connecting element (5) and the second connecting element (6), a first elastic tensioner (9) of the tie rod (8), operative on the first connecting element (5) in such a way as to tighten it against one end of the stack of rings (7), a second elastic tensioner (10) of the tie rod (8), operative on the second connecting element (6) in such a way as to tighten it against the other end of the stack of rings (7), and a longitudinal elastic element (11) over which the rings (7) are fitted, the tie rod (8) and an antenna cable passing through the entire longitudinal extent of the elastic element (11).

Description

JOINT DEVICE FOR A POLE FOR A SPORTS TRACK, AND POLE INCORPORATING SUCH A JOINT DEVICE

DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers to a joint device for a pole for a sports track, and to a boundary pole for a sports track that incorporates such a joint device.

As is known, the wooden poles present along the path for instance of a ski track have always represented a considerable hazard in that they can be subject to breakage and thus result in even serious bodily wounds.

To limit damage from impact with the pole and at the same time, to prevent the pole from being uprooted from the snow cover, a pole made of plastic has been introduced with a joint device having a tie rod that permits bending of the pole that is then straightened by means of special elastic tensioners.

These jointed poles suffer from a rather complex assembly procedure that requires having time and skilled personnel available.

The technical task of the present invention is thus that of realizing a joint device for a pole for a sports track that makes it possible to eliminate the above-mentioned technical drawbacks of the prior art.

Within the scope of this technical task, one aim of the invention is to realize a jointed pole for a sports track and in particular for a ski track, having an improved capacity to resist uprooting from the snow cover when subjected to impact even of a considerable degree.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a pole for a sports track that is simple and strong, and easy to assemble.

An additional aim of the invention is to provide a pole for a sports track that offers an increased flexibility and range of use for different applications.

The technical task, as well as the stated and other aims, according to the present invention, are achieved by realizing a joint device for a pole for a sports track, characterized in that it comprises a first longitudinal element for connecting to the tubular body of the pole, a second longitudinal element for connecting to the end- piece of the pole, a stack of rings interposed between the first connecting element and the second connecting element, a flexible tie rod for connecting between the first connecting element and the second connecting element, a first elastic tensioner of the tie rod, operative on the first connecting element in such a way as to tighten it against one end of the stack of rings, a second elastic tensioner of the tie rod, operative on the second connecting element in such a way as to tighten it against the other end of the stack of rings, and a longitudinal elastic element over which the rings are fitted, the tie rod and an antenna cable of a radio transmitter that can be positioned inside the end-piece of the pole passing through the entire longitudinal extent of said elastic element.

In this preferred application, preferably the radio transmitter is sealed in a first case positioned in a longitudinal direction inside the end-piece, whereas an electric power pack for the radio transmitter is housed in a second case positioned in a longitudinal direction over the longitudinal extension of the first case. Moreover, preferably the end-piece has, at the end opposite the end connected to the tubular body, a closure cap that can be removed in order to selectively extract the second case with the electric power pack inside it.

Advantageously, the antenna cable passes inside the device and extends at least for most of the length of the tubular body of the pole in such a manner as to broaden the range of the radio transmission channels.

Advantageously, an accelerometer or impact sensor connected to the electronic control card of the radio transmitter can be incorporated in the pole.

The moment the pole is touched, the accelerometer or the impact sensor are capable of activating the electric power pack, which results in the generation and transmission, through the radio transmitter incorporated in the pole, of a radio signal indicating the instant of impact. The radio signal is received by a special remote radio receiver so as to be processed in real or deferred time. Advantageously, in combination with the radio transmitter, it is also possible to provide in the pole, a radio receiver connected with the control card of the radio transmitter. In this case, even in the absence of impact with the pole, the radio transmitter incorporated in the pole is capable of generating and transmitting a radio signal when the radio receiver incorporated in the pole recognizes a radiofrequency signal emitted by a radio transmitter transiting in the proximity of the pole. In this case, the radio signal thus indicates the instant of transit in the proximity of the pole.

One of the advantages of the invention consists in the fact that it enables detection of the passage times of an athlete along a sports track with extreme precision and accuracy, eliminating the traditional poles for photocells, which can be very dangerous for the safety of the athlete.

Moreover, additional characteristics of the present invention are defined in the claims herein below.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the jointed pole particularly for ski tracks according to the invention, as illustrated by way of approximate and non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows the joint device disassembled;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the disassembled joint device appearing in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows the assembled joint device removed from the tubular body and from the end-piece of the pole;

Figure 4 is a cutaway view of the pole set into the snow cover;

Figure 5 is an axono metric view of the pole;

Figure 6 shows a second preferred embodiment of a joint device, illustrated in a disassembled state;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the joint device appearing in Figure 6.

With reference to the figures, a pole 1 for a ski track having a joint device 2 is shown.

The pole 1 can be used for other kinds of sports track as well.

The pole 1 comprises a tubular body 3 and a hollow end-piece 4 that can be anchored to the snow cover.

The tubular body 3 and the end-piece 4 are connected to one another by means of the joint device 2.

The joint device 2 comprises a first longitudinal element 5 for connecting to the tubular body 3, a second longitudinal element 6 for connecting to the end-piece 4, a stack of rings 7 interposed between the first connecting element 5 and the second connecting element 6, a flexible tie rod 8 for connecting between the first connecting element 5 and the second connecting element 6, a first elastic tensioner 9 of the tie rod 8, operative on the first connecting element 5 in such a way as to tighten it against one end of the stack of rings 7, a second elastic tensioner 10 of the tie rod 8, operative on the second connecting element 6 in such a way as to tighten it against the other end of the stack of rings 7, which are clamped together as a result, and a longitudinal elastic element 11 over which the rings 7 are fitted. The tie rod 8 and an antenna cable 18 pass through the entire longitudinal extent of the elastic element 11.

Preferably, the antenna cable 18 is covered by an elastically flexible sheath 25, particularly a spiral metal wire.

In addition, the tie rod 8 extends through the first connecting element 5 and the second connecting element 6 for the entire longitudinal extent thereof.

The elastic element 11 has the task of ensuring uniform flexure of the tie rod 8 in the area where the rings 7 are positioned.

More specifically, the rings 7 have at the bases opposite formations 13a, 13b of a substantially complementary shape in such a manner that the formation 13a of a ring 7 is mated with a given clearance to the complementarily-shaped formation 13b of the next ring 7. Each connecting element 5, 6 consists of a bushing 16, 17 that exhibits, at the end facing the stack of rings 7, a formation 14a, 14b of a shape substantially complementary to that of the ring 7 to which it is mated.

The clearance present in the mating of the rings 7 to one another and to the first and the second connecting elements 5 and 6 permits small relative oscillations between the adjacent elements, which added up permit wider oscillation of the tubular body 3 with respect to the end-piece 4 when the tubular body 3 of the pole is struck.

The hole 40 in the bushing 16 internally has a perimeter projection 35 that acts as a spacer between the elastic element 11 that is inserted at one end of the hole in the bushing 16 and the first elastic tensioner 9 that is inserted at the opposite end of the hole in the bushing 16.

Likewise, the hole 42 in the bushing 17 internally has a perimeter projection 36 that acts as a spacer between the elastic element 11 that is inserted at one end of the hole in the bushing 17 and the second elastic tensioner 10 that is inserted at the opposite end of the hole in the bushing 17.

In the version of the joint device illustrated in Figures 1 - 5, the elastic element 1 1 comprises a helical spring 20, whose coils delimit a channel 12 in which the tie rod 8 and the antenna cable 18 pass freely.

The helical spring 20 thus extends longitudinally through the holes in the rings 7 and is inserted as mentioned on one side in the bushing 16 and on the other side in the bushing 17.

The helical spring 20 has an outer diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the holes in the rings 7 and of the diameter exhibited by the holes in the bushings 16, 17 in the section of insertion of the elastic element 11.

A bent tip 21 of the helical spring 20 is retained in an engagement seat 22 that extends from the projection 35 of the bushing 16, whereas the other bent tip 23 of the helical spring 20 is retained in an engagement seat 24 that extends from the projection 36 of the bushing 17.

At least in the portion that passes into the channel 12, the tie rod 8 and the sheath 25 are, in turn, reciprocally associated by means of an additional protective sheath 26.

In the version of the joint device illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the longitudinal elastic element 11 comprises a first longitudinal channel 100 for passage of the tie rod 8 and a second longitudinal channel 101 for passage of the antenna cable 18. The longitudinal channels 100, 101 for passage of the tie rod 8 and the antenna cable 18 can be laterally separated (as shown) or connected. The tie rod 8 and the antenna cable 18 are preferably indissolubly joined to the body of the longitudinal elastic element 11, and in particular the longitudinal elastic element can be moulded onto the tie rod 8 and onto the antenna cable 18. However, it is not excluded that as an alternative, the tie rod 8 and the antenna cable 18 may be freely positioned in the longitudinal channels 100, 101. The longitudinal elastic element 11 is preferably a block 102 having a prismatic configuration, whereas the first and the second connecting element 5 and 6 in which the elastic element 11 is inserted have an internal cross section that is complementary to the cross section of the elastic element 11. In this manner, rotation of the elastic element 11 with respect to the connecting elements 5 and 6 is prevented. Each connecting member 5, 6 also has an identification member 103, 104 engaged with a respective recognition member 105, 106 of a complementary shape present at a respective end of the elastic element 11. The identification members 103, 104 and the recognition members 105, 106 preferably comprise extensive, protruding or recessed level zones of the internal lateral surface of the first and second connecting member 5 and 6 and of the lateral surface of the longitudinal elastic element 11. In this manner, for the connection, each connecting element 5, 6 is compatible only with one respective end of the elastic element 1 1 in such a manner that the positions of the first and the second connecting element 5 and 6 cannot be inadvertently switched during assembly of the joint device. Furthermore, interference between the connecting elements 5 and 6 and the longitudinal element 11 at the overlapping level zones represents an additional restraint preventing the relative axial rotation between the first and the second connecting element 5 and 6 and the elastic element 11.

We shall now refer back to all versions of the joint device, as illustrated in Figures 1-7.

The first elastic tensioner 9 and the second elastic tensioner 10 are provided with a channel 38 and 39 that extends for the entire longitudinal extent thereof for passage of at least the tie rod 8.

Preferably the first tensioner 9 and the second tensioner 10 consist of helical springs, the coils of which delimit the channels 38 and 39 internally.

At one end the tie rod 8 has a retainer 28 for the first elastic tensioner, and at the opposite end, a retainer 30 for the second elastic tensioner 10.

The first tensioner 9 is axially confined between the projection 36 and the retainer

28, whereas the second tensioner 10 is axially confined between the projection 36 and the retainer 30.

When the pole undergoes impact, the tubular body 3 oscillates, bending the tie rod 8, which then, owing to the tensioners 9 and 10, straightens, returning to the original rectilinear configuration.

The antenna cable 18 extends from one end to the other of the joint device, passing through the longitudinal elastic element 1 1, the channels 38, 39 provided in the tensioners 9, 10, the holes 40 and 42 in the connecting elements 5 and 6, and holes 32 and 34 expressly provided in the retainers 28 and 30.

The end-piece 4 has an essentially cone-shaped configuration and externally it is provided with a thread 47 for screwing the end-piece 4 down into the snow cover. Inside the end-piece 4, there is a radio transmitter 19 sealed in a first case 44 positioned in a longitudinal direction along the axis of the end-piece 4, and an electric power pack 45 for the radio transmitter 19, housed in a second case 46 positioned in a longitudinal direction over the longitudinal extension of the first case 44.

The open end of the end-piece 4 has a closure cap 48 that can be removed for the selective extraction of the second case 46 with the electric power pack 45 inside the case 46.

By way of example, the cap 48 can be screwed onto an externally threaded portion of the tip of the end-piece 4.

The cap 48 has at least one through-hole 49 serving for the discharge of the condensation that accumulates inside the end-piece 4, and for the insertion of a tool used to tighten or remove the cap 48.

The first case 44 has a taper analogous to that of the end-piece 4 so as to fit snugly inside the latter and internally exhibits a positioning guide 50 for the electronic control card 51 of the radio transmitter 43, and externally exhibits a guide 52 for its own pre-established angular positioning in the end-piece 4.

The guide 50 comprises two pairs of adjacent rectilinear ribs 53 extending in the longitudinal direction of the first case 44 in a staggered position with respect to the plane containing the axis of the first case 44.

The distance between the adjacent ribs is approximately equal to the thickness of the electronic control card 51 , which, having a taper analogous to that of the first case 44, slidably engages with its two longitudinal edges along the two longitudinal recesses defined between the adjacent ribs during insertion in the first case 44.

The guide 52 instead comprises a rib 54 extending in the longitudinal direction of the first case 44, and which, during insertion of the first case 44 in the end-piece 4, is inserted in a recess 55 of a complementary shape that extends in a longitudinal direction over the internal surface of the end-piece 4. In this manner, the position of the recess 55 determines the angle of rotation about itself, needed by the first case 44 so as to position itself in the end-piece 4.

Advantageously, there are provided removable fitting means between the adjacent ends of the first case 44 and of the second case 46.

In particular, the fitting means comprises a male fitting element 58 fashioned on a closure cap 59 of an open end of the second case 46, which can be removed in order to extract the electric power pack 45, and a female fitting element 60 of a shape complementary to that of the male fitting element 58, fashioned on one end of the first case 44.

The fitting elements 58, 60 have any non-circular conformation, for example polygonal, so as to prevent rotation of the second case 46 about itself.

A collar 61 extends from the female fitting element 60 and fits on the second case 46 for further stabilization of the fitting.

In the fitting zone between the adjacent ends of the first case 44 and the second case 46, there are inserted the electrical contacts 56 of the radio transmitter 43, as well as the poles 57 of the electric power pack 45, which are connected directly to the electrical contacts 56 by means of aligned openings 62, 63 specially provided in the fitting elements 58, 60.

At the end opposite the second case 46, the first case 44 has an opening 65 for connecting the antenna cable 18 to the radio transmitter 19.

Advantageously, the antenna cable 18 of the radio transmitter 19 extends for at least most of the tubular body 3 of the pole. This allows for greater flexibility in the choice of the channel to be utilized for transmission of the radio signal.

Preferably, the electronic card 51 also supports a radio receiver (unillustrated). An accelerometer or impact sensor (both unillustrated) incorporated in the pole is connected to the electronic card 51.

The combined presence of an accelerometer or impact sensor and a radio receiver makes it possible to detect an event specifically such as the instant of passage of an athlete with or without the latter touching the pole, and to communicate it to a remote processing centre.

In fact, in the event of impact with the pole, the impact sensor or accelerometer excites the electric power pack that commands the transmission of a radio signal from the radio transmitter. In the event of a lack of impact with the pole 11 , it is still possible to detect the event insofar as a portable radio transmitter capable of interacting with the radio receiver incorporated in the pole is associated with the skier.

By equipping a ski track with poles in accordance with the present invention, it is thus possible to monitor the athlete's skiing time for each individual segment between one pole and another.

In this manner, the athlete is then able to carry out a very detailed evaluation of his/her performance so as to identify limits and room for improvement.

Moreover, it is possible to provide a system of communication in which the radio transmitter in the pole is interfaced in real time with a portable device that can be installed in the athlete's helmet and comprising a radio receiver and an audible signalling device controlled by the radio receiver. More specifically, the audible signalling device is capable of emitting a specific acoustic signal according to the detected time of the athlete's passage at the pole. In this manner, based on the type of acoustic signal heard, the athlete obtains detailed information about his/her performance in real time.

The jointed pole thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept. Furthermore, all the details are replaceable by technically-equivalent elements.

The materials utilized, as well as the dimensions, may in practice be of any type according to requirements and the state of the art.

Claims

1. A joint device (2) for a pole for a sports track, characterized in that it comprises a first longitudinal element (5) for connecting to the tubular body (3) of the pole, a second longitudinal element (6) for connecting to the end- piece (4) of the pole, a stack of rings (7) interposed between the first connecting element (5) and the second connecting element (6), a flexible tie rod (8) for connecting between the first connecting element (5) and the second connecting element (6), a first elastic tensioner (9) of the tie rod (8), operative on the first connecting element (5) in such a way as to tighten it against one end of the stack of rings (7), a second elastic tensioner (10) of the tie rod (8), operative on the second connecting element (6) in such a way as to tighten it against the other end of the stack of rings (7), and a longitudinal elastic element (11) over which the rings (7) are fitted, the tie rod (8) and an antenna cable (18) passing through the entire longitudinal extent of said elastic element (11).

2. The joint device for a pole for a sports track according to claim 1, characterized in that the tie rod (8) extends through the first connecting element (5) and the second connecting element (6) for the entire longitudinal extent thereof.

3. The joint device for a pole for a sports track according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna cable extends through the first connecting element (5) and through the second connecting element (6) for the entire longitudinal extent thereof.

4. The joint device for a pole for a sports track according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said longitudinal elastic element (11) comprises a helical spring whose coils delimit a channel wherein the tie rod (8) and the antenna cable (18) pass freely.

5. The joint device for a pole for a sports track according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said longitudinal elastic element (11) comprises a first channel for passage of the tie rod (8) and a second channel for passage of the antenna cable (18).

6. The joint device for a pole for a sports track according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 and 5, characterized in that said longitudinal elastic element (11) has a prismatic conformation and said first and second connecting elements (5, 6) have an internal cross section complementary to the cross section of the longitudinal elastic element (11).

7. A pole for a sports track characterized in that it comprises a joint device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

8. The pole for a sports track according to the preceding claim, characterized in that inside the end-piece there is present a radio transmitter sealed in a first case positioned in a longitudinal direction along the axis of the end-piece, and an electric power pack for the radio transmitter, housed in a second case positioned in a longitudinal direction over the longitudinal extension of the first case, said end-piece having an open end provided with a closure cap that can be removed in order to selectively extract the second case with the electric power pack inside it.

9. The pole for a sports track according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the electronic control card of said radio transmitter is connected to an accelerometer or impact sensor incorporated within the pole and/or a radio receiver incorporated within the pole.

10. The pole for a sports track according to any one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that said first case (44) has a taper analogous to that of the end-piece (4) so as to fit snugly inside the latter and internally exhibits a positioning guide (50) for the electronic control card (51) of the radio transmitter (43) and externally exhibits a guide (52) for its own pre- established angular positioning in the end-piece (4).

11. The pole for a sports track according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that there are provided removable fitting means between the adjacent ends of said first and second cases.

12. The pole for a sports track according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fitting means comprise a male fitting element fashioned on a closure cap of the second case, which can be removed in order to extract the electric power pack, and a female fitting element of a shape mating that of the male fitting element, fashioned on the first case.

13. The pole for a sports track according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the first case exhibits an opening, at the end opposite the second case, for connecting the antenna cable to the radio transmitter.

14. The pole for a sports track according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the antenna cable of the radio transmitter extends for at least most of the said tubular body.

15. A communication system comprising a pole in accordance with any one of claims 8 to 14 and an athlete's helmet featuring a device interfaced in real time with the radio transmitter by means of a radio receiver that controls an audible signalling device.