SKI-STICK

Abstract: A ski-stick for skating step comprises a rod (1) with a supporting element (2) on one of its ends and with a handle (3) mounted on the other end and consisting of an interconnected tube (4) and a cross-piece (5) with sections (6, 7) of different lengths. The larger section (6) is inclined at an acute angle to the axis (8) of the tube (4) and in the horizontal plane is oriented at an obtuse angle (β) in relation to the smaller section (7) and is swung towards the side opposite to the side on which is located the means (10) for fastening the strap. The stick comprises a boss (9) extending beyond the cross-piece (5) and offset in relation to the axis (8) of the tube (4) in the direction of the smaller section (7) of the cross-piece (5). The horizontal axis (11) of the cross-section of the boss (9) located in the plane perpendicular to the axis (8) of the tube (4) is offset in relation to the horizontal axis (8) of the tube (4).

Description: Technical field The invention relates to the manufacture of sports equipment, more specifically, to ski sticks for skating stride. Prior art Known in the art is a ski stick for skating stride comprising a rod with a supporting element attached to the lower end of the rod, and a handle, having at its lower end a tube for receiving the upper end of the rod, a cross bar with two sections, varying in length, with the larger section extending outwardly and forming a supporting surface for a skier's palm, which is inclined downwardly at an acute angle with respect to the vertical axis of the tube, and with the smaller section extending outwardly and forming a supporting surface for the thumb, and a boss projecting upwardly above the cross-bar and being displaced relative to the vertical axis of the tube towards the smaller section of the cross-bar, a means for attaching a hand strap, connected with the boss, and a hand strap arranged on one side of the cross-bar (EP-A-0 266 329). The use of this known ski stick allows an increase of the skiing speed. However, the centre of pressure located on the palm, under the forefinger and the third finger is offset relative to the axis of the rod, which requires the application of an additional force by the sportsman. Essence of the invention It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a ski stick for skating stride which would allow to shift the centre of pressure of the hand of the skier and to align the same with the rod axis so as to prevent sideward bending forces to act upon the rod. The essence of the invention consists in that a horizontal cross-section of the boss is offset relative to a horizontal cross-section of the tube with respect to the vertical axis of the tube, such that the cross-section of the boss is displaced toward the side opposite the side where the hand strap is arranged, and that the larger section and the smaller section of the cross-bar are disposed at an obtuse angle relative to each other, such that they are bent toward the side opposite the side where the hand strap is arranged. Preferrably, said obtuse angle between the larger section and the smaller section is in the range from 140 to 150°. It is also advisable that the larger section of the cross-bar is inclined towards the vertical axis of the tube at an acute angle within the range from 30° to 60°. The use of the invention permits reducing the forces to be applied when pushing onto the rod, thereby increasing the skiing speed and improving the ergonomic properties of the ski stick. Brief description of the drawings The invention will now be further explained with reference to a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, wherin: Fig. 1 is a side view of a ski stick for skating stride according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a front view of the right-hand handle of the ski stick; Fig. 3 is a top view of the right-hand handle of the ski stick; Fig. 4 is the cross-sectional view along line IV-IV in Fig. 2. Preferred embodiment of the invention The ski stick for skating stride comprises a rod 1 with a supporting element 2 at the lower end and a handle 3 at the upper end thereof. The handle 3 is made up of a tube 4 and, interconnected with the same, a cross-bar 5 having two sections 6, 7, varying in length, with the larger section 6 forming a supporting surface for the skier's palm, which is inclined downwardly at an acute angle α with respect to the axis 8 of the tube 4, and with the smaller section 7 forming a supporting surface for the thumb. A boss 9 projects above the cross-bar 5 and is displaced with respect to the axis 8 of tube 4 toward the smaller portion 7 of the cross-bar 5 and has a means 10 for attaching a hand strap, which is arranged on one side of the cross bar. A horizontal cross-section of the boss 9 is offset relative to a horizontal cross-section of the tube 4 with respect to the vertical axis 8 of the tube 4, such that the cross-section of the boss 9 is displaced toward the side opposite the side where the hand strap 5 is arranged. The larger section 6 of the cross-bar 5 is, in the horizontal plane, arranged at an obtuse angle β with respect to the smaller section 7 and bent toward the side opposite the side having the hand strap attaching means 10. The angle of inclination α of the larger section 6 of the cross-bar 5 to the axis 8 of the tube 4 in the range from 30° to 60°. The angle β between the larger section 6 of the cross-bar 5 in its horizontal plane, with respect to the smaller portion 7, is in the range of 140° to 150°. The surface of the handle 3 is covered with elastic foamed synthetic material 13 (Fig. 4). The ski stick is used as follows. Having passed the hand through the hand strap of the ski stick and grasped the cross-bar 5 with his palm and his fingers, the sportsman starts moving by pushing himself forward with the ski sticks. While running, the skier's hand takes the position close to the position occupied when grips are used in the classical stride, so that the proposed ski stick requires no special training. All the fingers except for the thumb, are placed on the larger section 6 of the cross-bar 5 which is inclined to the rod 1. Moreover, the centre of the skier's hand pressure exerted onto the handle 3 in the area of the palm between the forefinger and third finger is located along the axis 8 of the rod 1. Thus, the ski stick increases the efficiency in the use of the skier's energy and affords an increase of his speed.

Claims: A ski stick for skating stride comprising a rod (1) with a supporting element (2) attached to the lower end of the rod (1), and a handle (3), having at its lower end a tube (4) for receiving the upper end of the rod (1), a cross-bar (5) with two sections (6, 7), varying in length, with the larger section (6) extending outwardly and forming a supporting surface for a skier's palm, which is inclined downwardly at an acute angle (α) with respect to the vertical axis (8) of the tube (4), and with the smaller section (7) extending outwardly and forming a supporting surface for the thumb, and a boss (9) projecting upwardly above the cross-bar and being displaced relative to the vertical axis (8) of the tube (4) towards the smaller section (7) of the cross-bar (5), a means (10) for attaching a hand strap, connected with the boss (9), and a hand strap arranged on one side of the cross-bar (5) characterized in that a horizontal cross-section of the boss (9) is offset relative to a horizontal cross-section of the tube (4) with respect to the vertical axis (8) of the tube (4), such that the cross-section of the boss (9) is displaced toward the side opposite the side where the hand strap is arranged, and that the larger section (6) and the smaller section (7) of the cross-bar (5) are disposed at an obtuse angle (β) relative to each other, such that they are bent toward the side opposite the side where the hand strap is arranged. A ski stick according to claim 1, characterized in that said obtuse angle (β) between the larger section (6) and the smaller section (7) is in the range from 140° to 150°. A ski stick according to claim 1, characterized in that the larger section (6) is inclined towards the vertical axis (8) of the tube (4) at the acute angle (α) within the range from 30° to 60°.

Inventors: MALTSEV ALEXANDR ANATOLIEVICH, MALTSEV, ALEXANDR ANATOLIEVICH
Applicants: MALTSEV ALEXANDR ANATOLIEVICH, MALTSEV, ALEXANDR ANATOLIEVICH
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A63C11
IPC codes: A63C11