WO2022106327A1

WO2022106327A1 - Connection system for a ski pole

Info

Publication number: WO2022106327A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/081619
Authority: WO
Inventors: Svein Pedersen; Ola STUVESETH
Original assignee: Brav Norway As
Priority date: 2020-11-19
Filing date: 2021-11-15
Publication date: 2022-05-27
Also published as: EP4247505A1; NO20201259A1

Abstract

A ski or walking pole connection system for releasably connecting a hand strap to a handle of the pole, wherein the system comprises a buckle connected to the hand strap, and a locking device connected to the handle, wherein the locking device is adapted to receive the buckle for locking the buckle and connecting the hand strap to the handle of the pole. A recess of the locking device is arranged to receive a locking head of the buckle and wherein the buckle is locked by a first edge of the locking device abutting a second edge of the buckle. A puller connected to the buckle is configured to lift the second edge such that the buckle may be released from the locking device.

Description

CONNECTION SYSTEM FOR A SKI POLE

The present invention is directed to a ski or walking pole connection system for releasably connecting a hand strap to a handle of the pole. More specific, the invention is directed to a connection system comprising a buckle and a locking device and wherein the locking device is adapted to receive the buckle for locking the buckle and connecting the hand strap to the handle of the pole, and a puller attached to the buckle for releasing the buckle from the locking device.

BACKGROUND

Poles are commonly used for alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skate skiing, roller skiing, hiking, climbing, and snowshoeing. The poles are used for stability, balance, timing, and propulsion. Herein all such hand-held poles such as; walking poles, trekking poles, alpine ski poles, cross country ski poles, or Nordic Walking poles will be referred to as "ski poles," "pole," or "poles."

The pole includes a shaft with a handle arranged on the top end. The bottom end of the pole may include a point or other reduced portion end for grip on icy surfaces. The bottom end may also include a pad or other bumper for use on hard dry surfaces, such as asphalt. With a ski pole for winter sports, the end of the pole also includes a basket positioned a few inches up from the tip. The basket is disc shaped or includes arms, rings, or other designs to create some amount of resistance to being plunged deeply into snow. The basket may be attached so as to stay in place during use but may also be removable for replacement or to switch baskets for different purposes. For example, larger baskets may be used for powder skiing and smaller baskets for alpine racing.

Attached to the upper part of the pole is a grip or handle with a strap. These are slipped over the wrist to improve the skier's hold on the grip and to prevent the loss of the pole in the event of a fall. Pole grips or handles are commonly constructed of injection-molded plastic, they may have different types of outer cover for easy and comfortable grip, such as cork, leather, fabric, etc. The grip or handles are hollow and sized to be force-fit onto the upper end of the pole shaft. They are not made to be removed from the pole. The handles often include hand straps through which the hand of the user is placed before grasping the grip. The purpose of the hand strap is to avoid an inadvertent loss of the pole and in order to transfer the strength of the hand of the user onto the pole. In addition, the hand straps help in keeping the poles with the user and help to obtain a solid grip over a longer period.

Releasable strap systems have been implemented by pole manufacturers as well, which serve to prevent wrist injuries in the event of a crash, or they may come in different sizes allowing the hand straps to be replaced based on the user's preferences. In addition, a releasable strap allows the strap to be replaced in case it is broken or damaged.

Hand straps are normally adjustable to various hand sizes as well as for use with or without gloves, by variability of their length. In this sense, a plurality of possibilities exist to variably fasten hand straps to a pole handle.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a hand strap connection system for easily connecting a hand strap to a grip or handle of a ski pole and allowing easy disconnecting without the use of external tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a pole connection system for releasably connecting a hand strap to a handle of the pole. The system comprises a buckle connected to the hand strap, and a locking device connected to the handle, wherein the locking device is adapted to receive the buckle for locking the buckle and connecting the hand strap to the handle of the pole.

The locking device comprises a locking device lower end, a locking device upper end, a recess and a first edge, wherein the recess is arranged at the locking device lower end and the first edge is arranged with a first distance between the locking device lower end and the locking device upper end, the recess having an opening facing the first edge.

The buckle comprises a buckle lower end, a buckle upper end, a locking head and a second edge, wherein the locking head is arranged at the buckle lower end and the second edge is located at a second distance between the buckle lower end and the buckle upper end.

The locking head is adapted to be inserted into the recess through the opening and the buckle locked into the recess by the first edge abutting the second edge.

The buckle further comprises a puller for release of the buckle from the locking device, and the puller is connected to the buckle adjacent the buckle upper end, the puller is configured to lift the second edge such that the first and second edge are no longer abutting and the locking head may be released from the recess.

The term “buckle” refers also to a retainer. A retainer is defined as a removable device arranged for holding something in place, such as the hand strap to the handle of the ski pole. The term “pole” is in the present application referred to at least any one of; walking poles, trekking poles, roller ski poles, alpine ski poles, cross country ski poles, or Nordic Walking poles.

The term “recess” refers to a space, such as a niche or alcove, setback or indented. The recess has an opening defining the entrance and exit into the recess.

The hand strap may be length and width adjustable and may comprise an element essentially formed like a band, which forms, between a first, fastened end, and a free, second end of the hand strap, a loop, which surrounds the hand of the user. The element of the hand strap which is formed like a band may be formed of a woven material, preferably from a woven band of artificial fibers or natural fibers. Alternatively, the strap can also be thermoplastic molded from a soft plastic material.

The hand strap may be connected to the buckle at the first, fastened end of the strap to the buckle's lower end. The hand strap may be connected to the buckle lower end between two locking heads of the buckle.

The recess of the locking device may comprise an upper barrier arranged such that it overlaps at least a section of the locking head, such that it prevents the locking head and the buckle from being lifted vertically out from the recess. The upper barrier may be a ledge, list or protrusion, restricting vertical movement of the locking head while located in the recess. The locking head, while located in the recess can only be released from the recess by moving the locking head through the opening of the recess in a direction towards the first edge.

The buckle while situated in the recess is prevented from moving in any direction, due to the shape of the recess, the upper barrier and the second edge. The buckle may only be released by lifting the buckle upper end such that the first and second edge no longer abuts, and the locking head and the buckle can be released.

The first and second edges may comprise corresponding mating surfaces that can go in tension against each other. The mating surface may be planar, angled or comprise structure on the surface.

The buckle may comprise a wedge arranged on the buckle and adapted to abut against the upper barrier of the recess such that a retaining force is provided when the buckle is retained into the locking device. The wedge may be flexible, or spring loaded, allowing it to be tensioned against the upper barrier. The puller for lifting the first edge from its interaction with the second edge may be a lever or a pulling arm connected to the buckle upper end . The lever or pulling arm may extend towards the locking device upper end, or the lever/pulling arm may extend beyond the end of the locking device upper end to provide a trigger/handle for easy and quick releasing of the buckle. The lever or the pulling arm may also extend in the opposite direction towards the recess or towards the hand strap. The lever or the pulling arm may be fixed to the buckle or the retainer such that it constitutes one single unit.

The puller may be a strap or flap connected to the buckle upper end and arranged such that it lifts the second edge such that it is released from interaction with the first end, when pulling the strap. The strap or flap may be in any suitable material such as plastic, woven fabric, metal, etc. and the strap/flap may be removable/detachable from the buckle/retainer.

The second edge may be located between the buckle lower end and the buckle upper end, such that there is a distance between the second edge and the buckle upper end. The first edge of the locking device may also be arranged accordingly such that the length of the first distance of the locking device corresponds to the length of the second distance of the buckle.

The distance between the second edge and the buckle upper end provides a bending momentum (torque arm) relative to the second edge for easy connecting and releasing the second edge from its cooperation with the first edge, when the buckle is lifted at the buckle upper end.

The grip or handle of the pole may comprise a handle body with a top section , and a grip section. The handle body may be a longitudinal tubular section and the top section arranged on top of the longitudinal section.

The locking device may be arranged on the top section. The top section may be substantially horizontal, or the top section may be arranged with an angle relative to a horizontal plane of the top section. The locking device is arranged such that the locking device's lower end is ascending towards the locking device's upper end. This arrangement allows the locking head to be pulled into and retained in the recess in the pulling direction of the hand strap. This is preferable, since the hand strap while in use (with a pulling force), will not be able to be released (disconnected) from the handle. The locking device may also be arranged on the grip section. The locking device may be arranged in a recess provided in the grip section and arranged in a substantially vertical direction. The locking device may be arranged ascending from the locking device lower end towards the locking device upper end. The pulling direction of the hand strap will be downwards, such that in use, the locking head of the buckle will be retained in the recess of the locking device. Only when the pulling force ceases, the buckle can be opened by pulling the puller.

For easy connection and releasing between the buckle and the locking device, one or more magnets may be provided. Since the magnet gives off an external magnetic field and applies a force over a distance on other magnets or magnetic materials, one or more magnets may be provided on each of the buckles and/or the locking device in order to obtain attraction force between the buckle and the locking device.

In aspect, the buckle and/or the locking device may comprise one or more magnets for magnetic attraction and coupling of the buckle into the locking device.

The magnets may be located at the first distance of the buckle and/or at the second distance of the locking device. The magnets provide a magnetic force for quick and easy coupling of the buckle to the locking device.

Thus, the attraction between the magnets may pull the locking head of the buckle into the recess of the locking device and the buckle may be locked and retained by the first edge abutting the second edge.

The first distance and the second distance may each comprise a magnet for attraction and quick (automatic) coupling of the buckle to the locking device. The force applied by the magnet pulls the locking head through the opening of the recess and into the recess of the locking device, and such that the first edge of the locking device abuts the second edge of the buckle, thereby automatically locking the buckle onto the locking device. The buckle while situated in the recess is prevented from moving in any direction, due to the shape of the recess, the upper barrier and the second edge. The buckle may only be released by lifting the buckle upper end such that the first and second edge no longer abuts, and the locking head and the buckle can be released.

FIGURES

The description above, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a connection system comprising a buckle adapted to be releasably connected to a locking device located on a handle of a pole.

Fig. 2 shows a hand strap connected to the buckle and the locking device for receiving and retaining the buckle.

Fig. 3 shows the buckle comprising a locking head and the locking device comprising a recess to receive the locking head.

Fig. 4 shows the buckle connected and secured to the locking device and the puller for separating the buckle from the locking device.

Fig. 5 shows a side view of the buckle connected to the locking device in the locked position where the first and second ends abuts.

Fig. 6 shows the locking device arranged at the grip section of the handle and the puller for releasing the buckle is a strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figures 1-6 shows a pole connection system according to the present invention, for releasably connecting a hand strap 31 to a handle 30 of the pole 1. The system comprises a locking device 10 and a buckle 20, wherein the locking device 10 is adapted to receive the buckle 20 for locking the buckle 20 and connecting the hand strap 31 to the handle 30 of the pole 1.

The locking device 10 comprises a locking device lower end 15, a locking device upper end 16, a recess 11 and a first edge 12. The recess 11 is located at the locking device lower end 15 and the first edge 12 is located with a first distance 14 between the locking device lower end 15 and the locking device upper end 16. The recess 11 has an opening facing the first edge 12. The opening defines the entrance and exit of the cooperating locking head 21 of the buckle 20, into the recess 11 of the locking device 10.

The buckle 20 or the retainer 20, comprises a buckle lower end 25, a buckle upper end 26, a locking head 21 and a second edge 22. The locking head 21 is located at the buckle lower end 25 and the second edge 22 is located with a second distance 24 between the buckle lower end 25 and the buckle upper end 26. The buckle 20 is locked to the locking device 10 when the locking head 21 of the buckle 20 is retained in the recess 21 of the locking device 20. The locking head 21 being retained in the recess 21 by the second edge 22 of the buckle abutting the first edge 12 of the locking device 10.

The buckle 20 may be connected to the hand strap 31 at a buckle lower end 25. The connection point of the hand strap 31 onto the buckle 20 defines the pulling direction of the buckle 20 when the hand strap 31 is in use. The buckle 20 may comprise a brace 35 or tongue 35 at said connection point for stiffening the connection point between the strap 31 and the buckle 20.

The locking head 21 of the buckle 20 is adapted to be inserted into the recess 11 of the locking device 10, through the opening of the recess 11 and wherein the locking head 21 is retained in the recess 11 by the first edge 11 abutting the second edge 21. The only way to extract the locking head 21 from the recess 11 is by moving the buckle 20 in the direction of the second edge 12. This is only possible when the second edge 22 of the buckle 20 is not abutting the first edge 12 of the locking device 10.

The figures 1-5 shows the locking head 21 having a rounded arc shape to fit into the rounded arc shape of the recess 11. Different shapes of the locking head 21 and the cooperating recess 11 may be appropriate, such as; pointed shape, arch shape, angular shape, etc.

The recess 11 of the locking device 10 may comprise an upper barrier 13 arranged such that it overlaps at least a section of the locking head 21, such that it prevents the locking head 21 and the buckle 20 to be lifted vertically out from the recess 21. Thus, the locking head 21 may only be entering or exiting the recess 11 through the opening in the main direction from or towards the first edge. For example, the only way to release the locking head 21 is to move it through the opening of the recess 11 in the direction of the first edge 11. This is possible only when the second edge 22 of the buckle is moved relative to the first edge 12 and such that they are no longer abutting.

For releasing the buckle 20 from the locking device 10, a puller 23 is arranged at the upper end 26 of the buckle 20. The puller 23 may be a lever as shown in figures 1-5. The puller 23 may also be a strap connected to the upper end 26 of the buckle (as illustrated in figure 6). The puller may be fixed or removably attached to the buckle, and it can be made of any material such as plastic, nylon, rubber, fabric, composite or metal. The puller 23 may be arranged such that the user can apply a pulling force (or pushing force) to the puller 23 such that the buckle upper end 26 is lifted, and thereby lifting the second edge 22 from its engagement with the first edge 12.

The grip or handle 30 of the pole 1 may comprise a handle body with a top section 32 and a grip section 33. The handle body may be a longitudinal tubular section and the top section 32 arranged on top of the longitudinal section.

As illustrated in figures 1-5, the locking device 10 may be arranged on the top section 32. The top section 32 may be substantially horizontal, or the top section 32 may be arranged with an angle relative to a horizontal plane of the top section 32.

The locking device 10 may be arranged such that the locking device lower end 15 is ascending towards the locking device upper end 16. This arrangement allows the locking head 21 to be pulled further into and retained in the recess 11 in the pulling direction of the hand strap 31 when the pole 1 is in use. This is preferable, since the hand strap 31 while in use (with a pulling force), cannot be disconnected from the handle 30, because the locking head 21 can only be released in the opposite direction of the pulling direction.

The locking device 10 may be arranged at any location on the grip section 33 of the handle 30. The locking device 10 may also be arranged in any angle relative to the pole 1, to the grip section 33 or to the handle 30.

The locking device may be arranged on the grip section 33 as illustrated in figure 6. The locking device 10 may be arranged in a recess provided in the grip section 33 and arranged in a substantially vertical direction, or substantially parallel to the pole 1. The locking device 10 may be arranged ascending from the locking device lower end 15 towards the locking device upper end 16. The pulling direction of the hand strap 31 will be downwards, such that in use, the locking head 21 of the buckle 20 will be retained in the recess 11 of the locking device 10. Only when the pulling force ceases, the buckle 10 can be opened by operating the puller 23 such that the abutment of the first and second edges 12,22 ceases.

For easy connecting and releasing the buckle 20 to/from the locking device 10, one or more magnets 17, 27 may be provided. One or more magnets 17,27 may be provided on each of the buckle 20 and/or the locking device 10 in order to obtain attraction between the buckle 20 and the locking device 10.

The first distance 14 and/or the second distance 24 may comprise a magnet 17,27 for magnetic attraction and automatic coupling of the buckle 20 to the locking device 10. The attraction force applied by the magnet 17,27 helps pull the locking head 21 through the opening of the recess 11 and such that the first edge 11 abuts the second edge 21, thereby automatically locking the buckle 20 to the locking device 10. The attracting force of the magnets 17,27 will automatically snap the locking head 21 into the recess 11 and simultaneously place the second edge 22 into engagement with the first edge 12. The buckle 10 may only be released by lifting the buckle upper end 26 such that the first and second edges 12, 22 no longer abut, and the locking head 21 and the buckle 20 can be released.

Claims

1. A ski or walking pole (1) connection system for releasably connecting a hand strap (31) to a handle (30) of the pole (1), wherein the system comprises a buckle (20) connected to the hand strap (31), and a locking device (10) connected to the handle (30), wherein the locking device (10) is adapted to receive the buckle (20) for locking the buckle (20) and connecting the hand strap (31) to the handle (30) of the pole (1); the locking device (10) comprises a locking device lower end (15), a locking device upper end (16), a recess (11) and a first edge (12), wherein the recess (11) is located at the locking device lower end (15) and the first edge (12) is located at a first distance (14) between the locking device lower end (15) and the locking device upper end (16), the recess (11) having an opening facing the first edge (12), the buckle (20) comprises a buckle lower end (25), a buckle upper end (26), a locking head (21) and a second edge (22), wherein the locking head (21) is located at the buckle lower end (25) and the second edge (22) is located with a second distance (24) between the buckle lower end (25) and the buckle upper end (26), and wherein the locking head (21) is adapted to be inserted into the recess (11) through the opening and the buckle (20) is locked by the first edge (12) abutting the second edge (22), characterized in that the buckle (20) comprises a puller (23) for release of the buckle (20) from the locking device (10), the puller (23) is connected to the buckle (20) adjacent the buckle upper end (26), the puller (23) is configured to lift the second edge (22) such that the first and second edge (12,22) are no longer abutting , and the locking head (21) is released from the recess (11).

2. The connection system according to claim 1, wherein the recess (11) comprises an upper barrier (13) arranged such that it overlaps at least a section of the locking head (21) such that it prevents the locking head (21) to be lifted vertically out from the recess (11).

3. The connection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the puller (23) is a lever and/or a strap connected to the buckle upper end (26).

4. The connection system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the handle (30) comprises a longitudinal tubular grip section (33) and a top section (32) arranged on top of the longitudinal grip section (33), wherein the locking device (10) is arranged on the top section (32).

5. The connection system according to claim 4, wherein the locking device ( 10) is arranged with an angle, ascending from the locking device lower end (15) to the locking device upper end (16).

6. The connection system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the handle (30) comprises a longitudinal tubular section (33) and a top section (32) arranged on top of the longitudinal section (33), wherein the locking device (10) is arranged on the longitudinal tubular section (33).

7. The connection system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second edges (12,22) are arranged with a distance to their locking device upper end (16) and buckle upper end (26).

8. The connection system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buckle (20) and/or the locking device (10) comprises one or more magnets (17,27) for attraction and coupling of the buckle (20) into the locking device (10).

9. The connection system according to claim 8, wherein the magnets (17,27) are located at the first distance (14) of the buckle (20) and/or at the second distance (24) of the locking device (10).

10. The connection system according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the attraction between the magnets (17,27) pulls the locking head (21) of the buckle (20) into the recess (11) of the locking device (10) and wherein the buckle (20) is locked and retained by the first edge (12) abutting the second edge (22).