SYSTEM FOR SECURING A SKI POLE TO THE HAND OF A SKIER

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for securing a ski pole to the hand of a skier. A web between the thumb and the index finger of a hand-wrapping harness strap (13) or a ski glove (1) includes an elastic lip (4) for attaching thereto a wedge-shaped locking piece (5), which is releasably and positively claspable to a hand-grip (2).

Description: System for securing a ski pole to the hand of a skier The present invention relates to a system for securing a ski pole to the hand of a skier. The invention also re- lates to a ski pole which is adapted and intended for use in a system of the invention. In cross-country ski poles, the attachment between the hand and a handgrip is established by means of one or more loop-type straps wrapped around the hand. It has also been proposed that the ski glove be secured to a handgrip by means of straps fitted inside the glove (patent appli¬ cation FI-893528). This requires a specially designed glove, in addition to which the attachment between the glove and the handgrip is structurally inconvenient and difficult to release. An object of the invention is to provide an improved assembly including a ski glove or a hand-wrapping harness strap and a ski pole, wherein the locking between the hand-wrapping harness strap or the glove and the handgrip is readily claspable and releasable and which provides a good grip and control of the ski pole even when .the fin¬ ger-hold of the handgrip is released. In cross-country skiing, this situation occurs at the end of a thrust when the hand is in a backward position and the forward motion of a ski pole is about to commence. This object is achieved by means of a system set forth in the annexed claim 1. The characterizing features for an appropriate ski glove or a hand-wrapping harness strap are set forth in claim 6 and the characterizing features for a ski pole in claim 9. The non-independent claims disclose preferred embodiments for the invention. The invention will now be described by way of an exemplary embodiment with reference made to the accompanying draw¬ ings, in which fig. 1 shows a system of the invention applied to a ski glove in a perspective view; fig. 2 shows a ski-pole handgrip included in the system with a locking piece disengaged from its posi- tion; and fig. 3 shows a system according to a second embodiment of the invention applied to a hand-wrapping har¬ ness strap. Reference is first made to the embodiment of fig. 1. In a web area between the thumb and the index finger, a ski glove 1 is provided with a bracing 3 which is made of an inextensible, tough and break-proof, yet elastic mate¬ rial, such as e.g. polyurethane. The bracing 3 is provided with a lip 4 which is secured as an inlay to an extruded or injection-moulded locking piece 5. The locking piece 5 takes the shape of a wedge or a triangle and can be in- serted sideways into a receiving cavity 6, included in a handgrip 2 and having a shape matching that of the locking piece 5, as shown in fig. 2. The handgrip 2 is provided with a locking bolt 7, 9, 10, including a press-button element 9 extending from the top of the handgrip and a latching pawl 7 engaging in a recess 8 made in the locking piece 5. The locking bolt can be pressed lengthwise of the handgrip against the force of a spring 11 for releasing the latching pawl 7 from the recess 8 of the locking piece 5. Thus, when the bolt 7, 9, 10 is in a depressed position, the locking piece 5 can be pushed into its position in the cavity 6 or disengaged from the cavity 6. Designated in the locking piece 5 with reference numeral 12 is an attachment point for the lip 4, wherein the lip 4 is permanently secured. Thus, the locking piece 5 is an integral part of the ski glove 1. The user is free to choose fitting-size ski gloves and proper-length poles. The locking piece 5 does not prevent the ski gloves from being used also in applications other than a combination of the invention. The lip 4 is as short as possible, virtually without a length dimension, the handgrip 2 coming into contact with the web between the thumb and the index finger. Stiffness of the lip 4 can be used to have an effect on how easily the pole is able to swing as the hand releases its grip during the backward movement. A relatively soft and thick bracing 3 protects the hand from sores and also prevents the glove from wearing out. Naturally, the entire palm side of a ski glove can be made of the same polyurethane material as the bracing 3. Of course, the bracing 3 and the lip 4 can also be made of some other material which is tough, break-proof and elastic. For example, leather can be used but, being an extensible material, it is not as preferred as polyurethane, which further provides a possi¬ bility of controllably selecting the ratio of hardness and elasticity as well as stiffness of the lip 4. Naturally, it is also possible to use artificial leathers made of materials other than polyurethane and synthetic rubbers are also possible. The lip 4 is preferably located about 20 mm downwards from the web between the thumb and the index finger, i.e. on top of the upper portion of the palm. The locking piece 5 is located such that the lip 4 is set about 4-6 cm down¬ wards from the top end of a pole. The exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 3 differs from the case of fig. 1 in that the attachment lip 4 is not secured to the actual ski glove 1 but to a hand-wrapping harness strap 13, which can be set on top of a ski glove separate- ly from the glove or make up a part of the ski glove. The harness strap 13 includes a strap section extending around the thumb, a strap section extending around the lower edge of the palm, and a strap section extending around the wrist. The strap section extending around the wrist is provided with a releasable and sealable joint or splice. These strap sections are connected to a section provided on the back of the palm for integrating the harness strap 13 into an integral unit giving a good support for the hand. Also in the case of fig. 3, the handgrip 2 has a design which corresponds to the above-described design shown in fig. 2. Thus, the lip 4 is located about 2 cm downwards from the web between the thumb and the index finger and at the same time 4-6 cm downwards from the top end of a pole. Hence, the handgrip is easily retained under control of the hand even during the backward move¬ ment of a pole when the handgrip is released from the hold of the hand.

Claims: Claims 1. A system for securing a ski pole to the hand of a skier, wherein a ski glove (1) or a hand-wrapping harness strap (13) is fitted with a locking piece (5), which is attached by means of a flexible lip (4) located within a web area between the thumb and the index finger and which is releasably claspable to a handgrip (2), c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the ski glove or harness strap con- sists of a material which is fitted, as a permanent part of the ski glove (1) or harness strap (13), with the wedge-shaped locking piece (5) and the handgrip (2) is provided with a mating-shaped cavity (6) for receiving the locking piece (5) with a snap fit reminiscent of a dove- tail joint. 2. A system as set forth in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d in that the wedge-shaped or triangular locking piece (5) is insertable sideways into the handgrip-receiv- ing cavity (6), wherein the handgrip backside being provided with a slot for extending said lip (4) therefrom. 3. A system as set forth in claim 2, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d in that the handgrip (2) is provided with a spring-loaded locking bolt (7, 9, 10) for positively securing the locking piece (5) in the handgrip cavity (6). 4. A system as set forth in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d in that the locking bolt (7, 9, 10) extends from the handgrip end and is depressable lengthwise of the handgrip (2) against the force of a spring (11) in such a manner that, once depressed, the bolt latching pawl (7) disengages from a recess (8) included in the locking piece (5) . 5. A system as set forth in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d in that the ski glove has a web area between the thumb and the index finger, which is provided with a bracing (3), the elastic lip (4) being attached thereto and being preferably made of the same material as the bracing (3) . 6. A hand-wrapping harness strap (13) or a ski glove (1), wherein a web between the thumb and the index finger is fitted with a locking piece (5) intended to be secured in a receiving cavity (6) included in a ski-pole handgrip (2), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the locking piece (5) takes the shape of a wedge and that the web between the thumb and the index finger is provided with a bracing (3) or a section of the harness strap (13) to which the locking wedge (5) is permanently connected by way of a flexible lip (4). 7. A ski glove as set forth in claim 6, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the bracing (3) or harness strap (13) and the lip (4) are made of polyurethane or a corre- sponding inextensible and tough artificial material and the lip (4) is included as an inlay in the injection- moulded locking wedge (5). 8. A system as set forth in any of claims 1-7, c h a r - a c t e r i z e d in that the lip (4) is located about 2 cm downwards from the web between the thumb and the index finger and at the same time about 4-6 cm downwards from the top end of a ski pole. 9. A ski pole, comprising a handgrip (2) and a cavity (6) therein for receiving a locking piece (5) included in a ski glove, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the wedge- shaped or triangular cavity (6) opens at least into one side of the handgrip in such a manner that the apex of the wedge or triangle coincides with a slot included in the backside of the handgrip, and that the handgrip (2) is provided with a spring-loaded locking bolt (7, 9, 10), including a latching pawl which is adapted to engage in a recess (8) included in the locking piece (5).

Inventors: MANNINEN TAISTO, VESALAINEN MIKA, MANNINEN, TAISTO, VESALAINEN, MIKA
Applicants: EXEL OY, MANNINEN TAISTO, VESALAINEN MIKA, MANNINEN, TAISTO, VESALAINEN, MIKA
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A63C11
IPC codes: A63C11