EP1970105B1

EP1970105B1 - Ski pole handgrip

Info

Publication number: EP1970105B1
Application number: EP07425147A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian Nino
Original assignee: LEVEL SPORT Srl
Current assignee: Level Sport Sr l
Priority date: 2007-03-16
Filing date: 2007-03-16
Publication date: 2011-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 2027-03-16
Also published as: EP1970105A1; ATE522258T1

Abstract

A ski pole handgrip comprising a handle (1) and, for connection to a user's wrist, an element (2) able to be releasably coupled to the handle (1) by a bayonet connection device.

Description

The present invention relates to a ski pole handgrip in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.
State of the art ski poles present a handgrip comprising a handle and a fixed strap to enclose a user's wrist such as to retain the pole close to the user's hand even when the handle is not directly gripped. Poles with a fixed strap of this type are uncomfortable when the straps have to be repeatedly disengaged, for example when taking a ski lift.
Various documents also show gripping devices comprising a handle and a wrist strap connectable to the handle in a releasable manner.
In DE 2808549 the wrist strap comprises an elastic fork to be coupled to a pin disposed on the top of the handle. The force required to re-connect the elastic fork is considerable and equals that required for its release. Accidental release is also possible, for example during a fall, if forces are exerted on the pole sufficient to remove it from the wrist and from the user's hand.
DE-U-7804390 describes a device very similar to the preceding, but with the difference that the pin is positioned at the end of the wrist strap and the elastic fork is provided on the handle. The problems of this solution are identical to the preceding.
US 6264242 describes a ski pole handgrip in which the handle comprises a seat for a first coupling element fixed to the wrist strap and a second coupling element elastically movable in a longitudinal direction to be releasably connected to the first coupling element. This release is controlled by a pushbutton disposed on the top of the handle. The force required to release the wrist strap and reconnect it depends on the rigidity of the spring to which the second coupling element is connected. Accidental release can occur as the result of impact on the pushbutton positioned on the top of the handle.
WO 2004052476 describes a handgrip presenting a wrist connection strap terminating with a second connection element with a widened head which is inserted into a groove extending from the top of the handle and presenting an undercut along its entire length. The head of the second connection element is inserted into the undercut to ensure good coupling, while a lever with elastic return locks the head in its operative position after insertion from above. Release takes place by acting on the lever and sliding the head of the second connection element along the groove to cause it to emerge from the top of the handle. A drawback is the difficulty of carrying out this operation with a single hand.
EP 1036579 describes a handgrip comprising a handle and a wrist strap provided with means for their mutual connection and release. The handle presents a cavity with an inlet in the lateral surface of the handle and an outlet in its top. The wrist strap comprises a first connection means to be inserted into the cavity inlet and to be coupled to a second connection means fixed to the handle inside the cavity and movable by a lever provided with an elastic return. In this case the first strap connection means is inserted directly into the cavity inlet in the handle lateral surface and is immediately engaged without the need for sliding it, which complicates the coupling and release operation. However, again in this case, coupling the strap to the handle and then releasing it require the use of both hands or special ability if to be done with a single hand (that engaged with the strap). Accidental release of the strap is possible if the lever opening the second connection means is moved. A solution comprising a movable lever is also hardly robust, especially considering that the pole can be subjected to considerable impact.
Moreover, in the various stated arrangements, in which movable connection and release elements are present, it is always possible for the release mechanism to ice up, or for snow to become inserted in the interstices, to lock the entire mechanism, in particular during the release operation if this occurs some time after the connection operation.
The patent application DE 43 40 414 discloses a ski pole handgrip according to the preamble of claim 1. The document discloses an upper part of a stick handle having a hermetically sealed stopper provided with the conventional band. The stopper is removable.
The patent US 5,312,134 discloses a transverse lock bar positioned immediately adjacent the intersection of the V between thumb and forefinger on the glove for connection to a clip formed on the ski pole grip.
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a ski pole handgrip comprising a mutually connectable and releasable handle and wrist strap by which the stated drawbacks are overcome, a particular object being to provide a handgrip allowing easy connection and likewise easy release using a single hand and by natural movements.
Another object is to provide a handgrip which prevents accidental release caused by an impact to any part of the handgrip.
A further object is to provide a simpler handgrip which is more robust in the sense of being less subject to breakage.
Said objects are attained by a ski pole handgrip according to claim 1.
The invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of two embodiments thereof, provided by way of non-limiting example and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a first embodiment of the handle;
Figure 2 is a front view of the slot in the handle;
Figure 3 shows a side view and a top view of the first connection element;
Figure 4 shows a glove with the wrist connection element;
Figure 5 is a view showing the second connection element and a longitudinal section though a second embodiment of the handle;
Figure 6a, 6b and 6c show the operations involved in coupling the second connection element to the second embodiment of the handle;
Figure 6d shows the freedom of rotation of the second connection element when coupled to the handle;
Figures 6e, 6f, 6g and 6h show the operations involved in releasing the second connection element from the handle.

It is disclosed a ski pole handgrip, comprising a handle 1 and, for its connection to a user's wrist, a linkage element 2 to be releasably coupled to the handle 1 by a bayonet connection device comprising a first connection element 14 disposed on the handle 1 and a second connection element 13 disposed on said wrist linkage element 2.
With reference to Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that in a first embodiment the handgrip of the invention comprises a handle 1 presenting a first connection element 14 comprising a surface slot 3 elongated along a longitudinal direction to define a first axis 4 and an undercut 5 which extends in the longitudinal direction of the slot. The slot 3 is positioned on the lateral surface of the handle 1 close to its top, in a position corresponding substantially to the contact point of the region between the forefinger and thumb of the user's hand when the user correctly grips the handle 1. The handgrip also comprises a linkage element 2 for its connection to the user's wrist, best seen in Figure 4, which comprises a preferably elastic strap 12 firmly connected to the user's wrist and passing between the thumb and forefinger. A second connection element 13 (shown separated in Figure 3) is joined to the strap 12 and comprises a plate 10 joined to the strap 12 and a pin 6 which terminates with a head 7 having the shape of a disc with its axis normal to the pin 6. The head can also be formed from an element elongated in a direction normal to the pin 6, such as a cylinder. If the head is formed from a disc, the elongated direction is defined by the diameter of the disc normal to the pin 6. The elongated direction of the head 7 normal to the pin 6 defines a second axis 8 relative to the second connection element 13. The dimension L2 of the head 7 in the elongated direction (second axis 8) is greater than the width L1 of the slot 3. To enable the head 7 to pass through the slot 3, the height L3 of the slot 3 must be greater than the dimension L2 of the head 7 along the second axis 8. The undercut 5 must have such dimensions as to receive the head 7. When the head 7 has been fully inserted into the slot 3, the head 7 is rotated through 90° about the axis of the pin 6 to engage the head 7 in the undercut 5, from which it cannot be extracted without a further 90° rotation. This enables the linkage element 2 to be coupled to or released from the handle 1 by an operation of insertion and rotation about the axis of the pin 6, which can only be done intentionally by the operator by rotating the hand to which the second connection element 13 is connected. In the operative position, with the user's hand gripping the handle 1 and the second connection element 13 coupled to the first connection element 14 of the handle 1, the head 7 is inserted into the undercut 5 and positioned with the second axis 8 not coplanar with the first axis 4 to engage the head 7 in the undercut 5, so preventing the head 7 from passing through the slot 3.
This connection device formed from two elements which are mutually engaged by insertion and rotation is known in the art as a bayonet connection device.
To achieve proper engagement of the head 7 in the undercut 5, the undercut 5 should have dimensions such as to enable the head 7 to be rotated within its interior about the axis of the pin 6 by at least 90° and preferably by 180°, so that the user can effect the release operation by rotating the hand either to the right or to the left without distinction.
The slot 3, the pin 6 and the undercut 5 have dimensions such as to enable the pin 6 to rotate about the second axis 8 of the head 7 when engaged in the undercut 5 (Figure 6d). Preferably this rotation exceeds 120°, to allow sufficient freedom between the user's hand and the pole. The base 10 of the pin 6 which, in the wrist linkage element is rested on the hand between the thumb and forefinger, can advantageously be semirigid, in order not to bother the hand while at the same time enabling the head 7 to rotate even when engaged in the undercut 5.
In a second embodiment shown in Figure 5, in which corresponding elements carry the same reference numerals, the bayonet connection presents an inlet aperture through which the head 7 can enter and translate without rotation to engage in the undercut 5. The inlet aperture 11, of width greater than the length L2 of the head 7 in the direction of the second axis 8, is positioned at the end of the slot 3. The inlet aperture is located on the top of the handle 1 or at least close to the top of the handle 1. The inlet aperture 11 has an access door 15 which opens only inwards. Said door 15 is elastically movable, for example by being connected to an elastic means, so that said movable door 15 assumes a rest position which closes the inlet aperture 11. The movable door 15 performs the function of enabling the head 7 to enter the inlet aperture 11 but preventing it from leaving. In this second embodiment, rotation is necessary only to disengage the head 7 from the undercut 5.
For both the embodiments the wrist linkage element 2 can comprise a glove 9 with the second connection element 13 positioned between the thumb and forefinger. For better connection to the user's wrist, the linkage element 2 conveniently comprises a strap 12 to surround the wrist. The strap 12 is advantageously elastic, to enable it to be tight on the palm of the hand and also achieve elasticity of the connection between the user's hand and the handle 1.
The linkage 2 to the user's hand can comprise a glove with an internal strap which surrounds the wrist and passes between the thumb and forefinger.
The operation of the second embodiment is apparent from Figures from 6a to 6h.
Figures 6a, 6b and 6c show the insertion of the head 7 into the undercut 5 via the inlet aperture 11. The head 7 is inserted into the undercut 5 with the second axis 8 already in the position for engagement in the undercut. The door 15 opens inwards (Figure 6b) and, when the head 7 has been inserted into the undercut 6, it closes (Figure 6c) to prevent escape of the head 7 from the inlet aperture 11.
Figure 6d shows the connection element 13 able to rotate about the second axis 8 through an angle greater than 120°.
Figures 6e and 6f show the extent of rotation about the axis of the pin 6 necessary to disengage the head 7 from the undercut 5. Figures 6g and 6h show the extraction of the head 7 from the slot 3 after the rotation about the axis of the pin 6.
The first embodiment is structurally simpler, there being neither an inlet aperture 11 nor a movable non-return door. Engaging the head 7 in the undercut 5 is however more complicated, requiring a rotation and a translation for insertion, followed by a rotation. Release takes place by mutual rotation and withdrawal between the first and second connection element.
The second embodiment, structurally more complicated, allows simpler insertion of the head 7 into the undercut 5, as no rotation is necessary. In general, for the user's hand to correctly grip the handgrip 1, the first axis 4 of the slot 3 and the second axis 8 of the head 7 must lie in different planes, to enable the head 7 to engage in the undercut 5.
The shapes can evidently be different from those described, without leaving the scope of the invention as claimed. The first connection element 14, to be connected to the user's hand, and the second connection element 13, located on the handle, are coupled together differently depending on the actual embodiment, and are disengaged by a rotation followed by withdrawal. This type of connection is normally known as a bayonet connection.
As release takes place by a, rotation plus translation of the head 7 (and hence of the user's hand), such disengagement cannot take place accidentally, for example by impact. In the first embodiment movable elements are not necessary. For this reason the first embodiment of the invention is particularly robust.
The operations involved in coupling and release are very simple and are carried out by the user using a single hand.

Claims

A ski pole handgrip comprising a connection device, a handle (1) and, for connection to a user's wrist, a wrist linkage element (2) able to be releasably coupled to the handle (1) by the connection device, the connection device comprising
a first connection element (14) disposed on the handle (12) and
a second connection element (13) disposed on said wrist linkage element (2), said connection device being a bayonet connection device, characterised in that said
first connection element (14) comprises a surface slot (3) of a shape elongated along a first axis (4), with an undercut (5),
second connection element (13) comprises a pin (6) with a longitudinal axis, which in terminates with a head (7) presenting such dimensions as to enable it to pass through the slot (3) and having a shape elongated along a second axis (8) normal to the pin (6), wherein
the slot (3), the pin (6) and the undercut (5) have dimensions such as to enable the pin (6) to rotate about the second axis (8) of the head (7) when the head (7) is engaged in the undercut (5), so that when the head (7) has been fully inserted into the slot (3), the head (7) engages the undercut (5), from which it cannot be extracted without a rotation about the longitudinal axis of the pin.
A ski pole handgrip as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that said rotation about the second axis is greater than 120 deg.
A ski pole handgrip as claimed in claim 1 3, characterised in that said head (7) has substantially the shape of a disc with its axis normal to the pin (6).
A ski pole handgrip as claimed in claim 1 3, characterised in that said wrist linkage element (2) comprises a plate (10) disposed at the base of the pin (6) in a
plane substantially perpendicular to it.
A ski pole handgrip as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that said plate (10) is semirigid.
A ski pole handgrip as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said slot (3) is disposed in proximity to the top of the handle (1).
A ski pole handgrip as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said slot (3) presents an inlet aperture (11) through which the head (7) can enter and translate without rotation to engage in the undercut (5).
A ski pole handgrip as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that said inlet aperture (11) is disposed on the top of the handle (1).
A ski pole handgrip as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that said inlet aperture (11) presents a movable access door (15) arranged to open inwards and to re-close elastically.
A ski pole handgrip as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said wrist linkage element (2) comprises a glove (9).
A ski pole handgrip as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said wrist linkage element (2) comprises a strap (12) to surround the wrist.
A ski pole handgrip as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that said strap (12) is elastic.