Abstract:
Embodiments include a collapsible utility pole that snowboarders can carry easily in their pants pocket and can be quickly pulled out and extended to a completely rigid pole to push themselves over flat sections of downhill runs. The utility pole can also being useful when getting off the chair lift to move toward the slopes. Embodiments of the device have the capability of being converted into a small shovel or ice pick by detaching the snow basket and attaching a desired device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. section 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/508,669, titled “SNOWBOARD UTILITY POLE”, filed Oct. 2, 2003, by Justin M. Spragg and Joseph M. Parker, which is also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Downhill skiing has been an established and popular winter sport for many years, but snowboarding is a relatively new innovation to the sport. Riding a snowboard down hill is similar to the ride and action of a surfboard on water. A snowboarder does not utilize ski poles and relies on the ability of shifting his weight from side to side and backwards and forwards to control the speed and direction of travel. At the end of a run, a snowboarder typically disengages the back or rear foot from the rear binding and advances to a chairlift or other destination by sliding the board forward with his front foot attached to the front binding and pushing with the back foot or performing the arduous task of removing both feet from the snowboard and walking through the snow. Oftentimes a snowboarder will become stalled in short flat areas between sloped sections of down hill runs and requires some means to push himself and get moving again. 
     A typical snowboard is a single board curved up at both ends and wider than a normal ski with a pair of boot bindings mounted on the board. Normally the binding for either the left foot or the right foot is located toward the front end of the snowboard and a binding for either the right foot or left foot is located toward the rear of the snowboard, with neither being directly parallel to the snowboard. The foot configuration is dependent on a snowboarder&#39;s stance preference. Normal ski poles are not used by snowboarders due to the rapid turning and manipulations required along with the stance the individual takes when engaged in the activity. Two poles would definitely not be suitable to the side stance of a snowboarder and a single long pole which cannot be quickly stowed would interfere with a snowboarder&#39;s ability to get into the bent knee or crouching position normally used on a downhill run. 
     Additionally, individuals in winter sports activities find the need for other tools and devices but have no place to carry or store them. Thus, there is a continuing need for improvement in the equipment used in the popular winter sports field. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment includes a collapsible and portable utility pole having a telescoping body with a plurality of nested elongate segments. The elongate segments are configured in a telescoping arrangement with tapered portions at ends of adjacent elongate segments which are configured to produce a taper lock junction between adjacent segments when the adjacent segments are engaged. The taper lock junction gives the utility pole a mechanically rigid structure in an extended state. 
     Another embodiment includes a portable collapsible utility pole, having a plurality of elongate segments of differing transverse dimensions relative to each other which are slidably disposed within each other in a telescoping assembly. A distal most elongate segment has a coupler member disposed on a distal end thereof which is configured to detachably secure an accessory thereto. A proximal most elongate segment has a handle member disposed on a proximal end portion thereof. At least one junction between adjacent elongate segments has a tapered male portion which is configured to couple to a tapered female portion of an adjacent elongate segment by friction in order to produce a rigid joint between adjacent elongate segments. 
     In another embodiment, a portable collapsible utility pole, includes a plurality of elongate segments of differing transverse dimensions relative to each other and slidably disposed within each other in a telescoping assembly. A first elongate segment has a tapered male portion disposed on an end portion thereof. A second elongate segment is slidably disposed about the first elongate segment and has a female tapered portion disposed on an end portion thereof. There is a releasable junction between the first and second elongate segments including the tapered male portion coupled to the tapered female portion by friction in order to produce a rigid joint between adjacent segments and having an axial interlock member positioned on one of the elongate segments to mechanically lock the elongate segments in an extended state and mechanically prevent axial contraction between the first and second elongate segments. 
     These features of embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an individual on a snowboard using an embodiment of a utility pole to push himself over flat sections of snow-covered slopes. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of a utility pole embodiment in an extended state. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a section through an embodiment of a utility pole indicating internal mechanisms. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a plan view of an embodiment of a utility pole in an extended state with a basket, shovel and ice pick accessories exploded away. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a plan view of a utility pole in a compressed state. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a utility pole having multiple segments that collapse completely within a proximal most segment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention relate to the field of winter sports activities; more specifically to a tapered telescoping snowboard pole which quickly extends to propel snowboarders over flat terrain after loosing forward momentum while traveling down a slope. Additional utilitarian features may be removably secured to embodiments of the utility pole such as a small shovel and an ice pick, along with a conventional snow basket or a collapsible snow basket mounted to an optional coupler member on the utility pole&#39;s distal end. Embodiments of the invention can include the features of quickly extending to its fully expanded state or position to enable snowboarders to maintain their forward momentum while traveling over flat terrain, of fitting conveniently into a pants pocket on the lower leg or a jacket pocket, of being a much stronger snowboard utility pole by using a tapered locking means, having a tapered locking means along with a detent positioning engagement means, having a unique folding snow basket end or other accessories for other uses that can be easily stored. 
     Embodiments of the present invention create a continuous rigid structure when fully extended. Segments of the utility pole can be tapered and include optional internal plugs at the unions or junctions of the utility pole segments insuring that when the pole is fully extended each segment creates a taper lock joint with an overlapping portion of an adjacent adjoining segment to form a continuous rigid structure. A spring-loaded ball detent, when positioned into a reinforced detent engagement unit, may be used to assure that the utility pole embodiment will not collapse when an amount of axial pressure sufficient to dislodge the taper lock joint is exerted down on the pole. In other embodiments, the function of axial stability and lateral stability are carried out separately by the components of the joint or joints between adjacent pole segments. In such an embodiment, the taper lock joint can be configured to prevent wobbling or relative lateral motion between adjacent segments and the ball detent, or other suitable mechanical locking device, can be used to support the primary axial load on the utility pole when the pole is in an extended state. 
     One embodiment includes a utility pole that is extremely rigid when fully extended, expands to the fully extended position very quickly, and has the capability of attaching a variety of different devices such as a shovel and an ice pick along with a conventional snow basket or a collapsible snow basket. An embodiment of the collapsible snow basket can collapse like an umbrella to fit easily into a user&#39;s pocket. Embodiments of the attachments may thread onto a coupler member at the distal end of a lower elongate segment or section of the utility pole. 
     Referring now to the drawings, there is seen in  FIG. 1  an individual  12  on a snowboard  14  using an embodiment of a utility pole  10  in the extended position to push himself over a flat section of a snow covered slope. The snowboard  14  is commonly curved upwardly at the ends  16  and  18  and attached to the boots  20  of the individual  12  by the means of conventional bindings  22 . A storage pocket  24  may be located in the lower leg of the pants  26  of the individual  12  on the snowboard  14  for storing the utility pole  10 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the utility pole  10  in the extended state. This perspective view depicts the utility pole  10  having three tubular elongate segments with a substantially circular or circular transverse cross section; an upper or proximal elongate segment  28 , a central or intermediate elongate segment  30  and a lower or distal elongate segment  32 . Alternate embodiments of the utility pole  10  may include two, three, four, five or more elongate segments, any of which may be circular or non-circular in transverse cross section, including square, triangular and other transverse cross sections. The elongate segments  28 ,  30  and  32  may be constructed of a variety of different materials such as aluminum, steel, graphite, carbon fiber, or fiberglass and the like. 
     The upper elongate segment  28  consists of a cushioned handgrip  34 , end cap  36 , tapered body  38  and the reinforced detent engagement unit  40 . The reinforced detent engagement unit  40  may be made of a metal material, such as aluminum, steel or brass. The central or intermediate tapered segment  30  includes the tapered body  46  with the spring-loaded ball detent  44  at the upper or proximal end  48  and the reinforced detent engagement unit  50  at the lower or distal end  52 . The reinforced detent engagement unit  40  in conjunction with the cooperating spring loaded ball detent  44  form an embodiment of an axial interlock mechanism which mechanically prevents axial collapse or compression of the upper elongate segment  28  and the intermediate elongate segment  30 . The particular arrangement of the reinforced detent engagement unit  40  and spring-loaded ball detent  44  prevents axial collapse of the upper elongate segment  28  and intermediate elongate segment  30 , but also allows for relative rotational or twisting movement between the elongate segments  28  and  30  in order to faciliate release of the junction between the elongate segments  28  and  30 . The same configuration exists for the junction between the intermediate elongate segment  30  and distal or lower elongate segment  32 . 
     The lower segment  32  consists of a tapered body  54  with a spring-loaded ball detent  56  at the upper end  58  configured to engage the reinforced detent engagement unit  50  disposed on the distal end of the intermediate segment  30 . The distal end  60  of the lower segment  32  incorporates an optional coupler member  62  which is configured to releasably secure a variety of attachment. A snow basket  64  is attached to the coupler member  62  by screwing a threaded portion of the coupler member  62  to a mating threaded portion of the snow basket  64 . Although the three elongate segments  28 ,  30  and  32  are depicted as being tapered over their entire length, other embodiments may be tapered over only longitudinal portions of the segments  28 ,  30  and  32 , such as the longitudinal end portions of the segments. 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of utility pole  10  indicating internal mechanisms of the utility pole  10 . The end cap  36 , which provides a smooth rounded contour to the proximal end of segment  28 , is attached by the means of inserting a mating portion  66  within an internal portion  68  of the tapered body  38 . A wide variety of conventional cushioned handgrips  34  will be available to be attached by the means of adhesive to the exterior surface of the tapered body  38 . 
     At the distal end of the upper tapered segment  28  the reinforced detent engagement unit  40  is secured by means of adhesive, but may also be threaded onto segment  28  or secured by any other suitable method. Overlapping portions of the segments  28 ,  30  and  32  when the utility pole  10  is in an extended state include taper lock junction portions  67  and  69  which produce taper lock junctions  71  and  73 , respectively. The taper lock junction  71  between the proximal end of the intermediate segment  30  and the distal end of the proximal segment  28  prevents lateral movement of the joint between the segments because of the frictional force between the outside surface of the intermediate segment  30  and an inside surface of the proximal segment  28  in the overlapped taper lock junction portion  67 . 
     The angle A of taper locked junction portions  67  and  69  of the utility pole  10 , shown in  FIG. 3 , may be less than about 7 degrees and will assume a locking tapered fit that prevents or resists lateral movement or bending between adjacent segments  28 ,  30  and  32  when fully extended, creating a very rigid device  10 . In other embodiments, the angle of taper A may be about 2 to about 10 degrees, more specifically, about 3 to about 7 degrees. In yet another embodiment, the angle A may be from about 1 degree to about 5 degrees, more specifically, from about 2 degrees to about 4 degrees. The angle A shown in  FIG. 3  is formed between a wall surface of a tapered segment and a longitudinal axis of the tapered segment. Although the taper lock junctions  71  and  73  resist lateral movement when in a locked or axially extended state with the taper lock junction surfaces engaged by friction, the locked position is reversible by applying a sufficient compressive axial force in order to overcome the frictional force between the junction portions of the respective segments. As discussed above, the particular arrangement of the reinforced detent engagement unit  40  and spring-loaded ball detent  44  prevents axial collapse of the upper segment  28  and intermediate segment  30 , but also allows for relative rotational or twisting movement between the segments  28  and  30 . The disengagement of adjacent elongate segments may be facilitated by imparting a relative twisting or rotational movement between adjacent elongate segments  28 ,  30  and  32 . The same configuration exists for the junction between the intermediate segment  30  and distal or lower segment  32 . This allows for the convenient collapse of the utility pole  10  for storage by the user when not needed. 
     Although the taper lock junctions  71  and  73  provide some resistance to axial collapse of the pole  10  when in an extended state, it may be desirable to have an axial interlock mechanism to prevent unwanted axial collapse of the pole  10 , particularly when it is anticipated that large amounts of axial force may be applied to the utility pole  10 . Longitudinal collapse of embodiments of the utility pole  10  due to application of axial force along a longitudinal axis of the utility pole  10  may ultimately be prevented by optional axial interlock mechanisms in the form of spring ball detents or the like.  FIG. 3  shows spring ball detents  44  and  56  mechanically engaging the reinforced detent engagement units  40  and  50 , respectively, and mechanically preventing axial collapse of adjacent segments  28 ,  30  and  32 . Optional internal plugs  70  and  72  affixed by pressed fit by welding, adhesive bonding or the like, within the upper ends  48  and  58  of central tapered segment  30  and the lower tapered segment  32 , respectively, can add additional structural support to the device when it is fully extended. In addition, the internal plugs  70  and  72  can act as a base for attachment of the spring loaded ball detents  44  and  56 , or any other suitable mechanism used to lock the segments  28 ,  30  and  32  into an extended configuration. The coupling unit  62  with an internal thread  74  is attached to the distal end  60  by inserting the reduced section  76  into the internal cavity  78  of the lower tapered segment  32  and attached in a similar fashion as  70  and  72 . A unique collapsible snow basket  80  is equipped with a threaded stud  82  to attach to the internal thread  74  of the coupling unit  62 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates utility pole  10  in the extended state with a variety of adaptable fixtures and accessories. The conventional snow basket  64  or the collapsible snow basket  80  with its plurality of pivoting support arms  84  and mesh covering  86  will probably be the most used, while the shovel  88  and the ice pick  90  could be added features. The collapsible snow basket  80  has a center post  85  disposed along the longitudinal axis of the utility pole with a proximal end of the center post secured to a pivoting body  83  of the collapsible snow basket  80 . The center post  85  optionally has a pointed tip in order to facilitate penetration of ice or hard frozen snow. The four pivoting support arms  84  are disposed about the center post  85  with proximal ends of the pivoting support arms  84  pivotally mounted to the pivoting body  83 . A frame member  87  having a continuous looped structure is secured to the distal ends of the pivoting support arms and the wire mesh  86 , or other suitable type of mesh or fabric, has a perimeter secured to the frame member so as to form a cupped structure to offer a wide surface area to push against snow. 
     The extended length L- 1  of the utility pole  10  can vary due to the size of the individual  12  using the snowboard  14  and the number of tapered segments, with one embodiment having three segments and a total length of less than or equal to 36 inches in the extended state. In other embodiments, the extended axial length L- 1  of the utility pole  10  can be about 18 inches to about 24 inches, more specifically, about 20 to about 22 inches. In yet another embodiment, the extended length L- 1  of the utility pole  10  may be from about 18 inches to about 36 inches. As the individual  12  is normally in the crouched position there is no need for the utility pole  10  to be any longer than necessary to allow for propulsion of the individual  12 , and the shorter the pole, the shorter the collapsed length.  FIG. 5  shows the utility pole  10  in the compressed state having an axial length L- 2  allowing it to fit easily into a pants pocket  24 . In some embodiments of utility pole  10 , the compressed axial length L- 2  can be about 5 inches to about 10 inches. In another embodiment, the collapsed length L- 2  of the utility pole  10  may be from about 5 inches to about 13 inches. When the utility pole  10  is in an extended state, such as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the overlap between adjacent segments, such as between a distal portion of segment proximal portion of segment  30  can have an axial length of about 0.5 inch to about 2 inches, more specifically, about 0.75 inch to about 1.25 inches. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a utility pole  10  having multiple segments  28 ,  30  and  32  wherein segments  30  and  32  collapse completely within the proximal most segment  28 . In this configuration, the reinforced detent engagement unit  50  and coupler member  62  must be sized and configured to fit within an inner lumen of the distal end of elongate segment  28  and reinforced detent engagement unit  40 . More specifically, the coupler member  62  must be configured to fit within an inner lumen of the distal end of elongate segment  30  and reinforced detent engagement unit  50 . Reinforced detent engagement unit  50  must be configured to fit within an inner lumen of the distal end of elongate segment  28  and reinforced detent engagement unit  40 . This configuration allows for a more complete collapse of the utility pole  10  for storage and provides a more compact collapsed state having lower values for L- 2 . 
     With regard to the above detailed description, like reference numerals used therein refer to like elements that may have the same or similar dimensions, materials and configurations. While particular forms of embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited by the forgoing detailed description.