Abstract:
A bamboo hiking staff has multiple grip members for adjusting the effective length of the staff when walking over variable terrain.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is based upon and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/588,609 filed Jul. 15, 2004 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The invention relates to hiking staffs. In particular, the invention involves a type of walking or hiking stick that is lightweight, durable, and versatile for use on irregular and varying terrain.  
         [0003]     Hiking sticks and poles have been used for years to assist people in walking on all types of terrain including urban settings, forest trails, and mountains. Walking sticks may be helpful for people who have physical disabilities. However, hiking sticks and poles are also commonly used by healthy people who desire assistance with balance, or simply to transfer load to the upper body.  
         [0004]     Many walking stick designs have been used in the past. One problem with previous walking sticks is that they are not versatile for use on terrain of varying pitch. For example, when hiking in the woods, the walking stick may be fixed for support on ground that is on a different level than the hiker&#39;s feet, either higher or lower. Also when traversing a slope, the hiker may want the walking stick for support on the uphill side, or alternatively, for support on the downhill side.  
         [0005]     Another problem with some walking sticks is that they are too heavy, and therefore burdensome over long distances. Other more lightweight sticks may be insufficiently rigid, or even prone to break or fail. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of a walking stick.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  shows a close-up view of windings used on a preferred example of a walking stick. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a preferred example of a hiking staff  10 . Bamboo shaft  12  has multiple nodes or joints  14 . A pair of grip members  16   a  and  16   b  are provided on an upper portion of staff  10 . Grip members  16   a  and  16   b  are positioned to define a third gripping region  17  which may be the exposed surface of bamboo shaft  12 . Rubber cap  18  is provided at the bottom end of staff  10  to interface with the ground.  
         [0009]     Reinforcement windings  20  are provided between joints  14  to strengthen shaft  12  to help resist cracking of the bamboo stick.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a close-up of portions of staff  10  including upper gripping portion  16   a  and the enforcement winding  20 .  
         [0011]     One feature of the walking stick shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  relates to the gripping system. The gripping system may be referred to as a “split-grip” design. Bamboo works well for the rigid shaft because it is light and strong. Bamboo also feels good when it is gripped. Additionally, positive gripping services may be provided on the bamboo for allowing a more firm grip. The split grip works well for this purpose.  
         [0012]     The grip winding begins by placing the end of the cord (end A) parallel on the stick. The cord is then coiled around the stick and over the parallel portion of the cords; winding the cord towards the top of the stick. When the proper number of coils has been reached, the end of the cord (end B) is passed underneath the last four coils and pulled out between the fourth and fifth coils. End B is then cut close to the coils.  
         [0013]     The grip itself is made of three-cord cotton twine, for example, 1/16-inch in diameter. The twine may be colored in a dye bath. The twine is tightly wound around the bamboo using a macrame technique, which will be explained in more detail below. Hot water is then poured over the windings which shrinks the cotton cord, making the grip tightened around the bamboo. In the final procedure of constructing the grip, ends of the grip are impregnated with paraffin wax to protect exposed ends from wear.  
         [0014]     In a preferred design, there may be approximately 75-feet of cotton twine in the gripping surface. The cotton grip is soft, very durable, absorbs perspiration, and retains its gripping property even when completely wet. Gauze tape may also be used for the gripping surface. However, gauze tape is inferior compared to wound cotton twine.  
         [0015]     Bamboo, like wood, may crack if exposed to weather for a prolonged, period of time. To protect against moisture intrusion and cracking, the stick may be covered, except for the exposed gripping surface, with a lacquer finish. As a further guard against cracking and as an additional strengthening device, reinforcement windings may be added between the joints. A different form of macrame technique may be used to construct the reinforcement windings. Windings are then impregnated fully with paraffin wax to weatherproof them and give them additional strength.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  shows the macrame winding techniques for making the grips, and the reinforcements. The grip winding begins by placing the end of the cord (end A) parallel on the stick. The cord is then coiled around the stick and over the parallel portion of the cord; winding the cord towards the top of the stick. When the proper number of coils has been reached, the end of the cord (end B) is passed underneath the last four coils and pulled out between the fourth and fifth coils. End b is then cut close to the coils.  
         [0017]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the reinforcement winding begins by placing the end of the cord (end AA) parallel along the stick. The cord is then coiled around the stick and over a portion of end M, while leaving a few inches of end AA exposed. After the required number of coils has been attained, end BB is passed over end M, then underneath the coils and underneath end AA until a few inches of end BB is exposed. End AA and end BB are then pulled tightly against each other (thereby tightening the coils), and then, ends AA and BB are cut off close to the coils.  
         [0018]     Unlike other grip designs that keep the user&#39;s hand in one position (like a molded grip or strap design), the split-grip design helps prevent the users hand from becoming tired or cramped by offering two different gripping surfaces and freely allowing multiple hand positions.  
         [0019]     While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that many variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as variously described and defined above. The description of the invention should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein.