Abstract:
A hand held pole for skiing or other activities is disclosed. The pole includes a removable handle with a clasp securing it, at its lower end, to a pole shaft. Release of the clasp allows the handle to be adjusted longitudinally on the shaft. Complete removal of the handle allows the access to the interior of the shaft and allows the handle to be used with other shafts. Items may be stored in the shaft or in the handle. The handle includes a removable cap for this purpose. Removal of the cap also allows a grip on the handle to be removed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to skiing implements and accessories and, more specifically, to a multifunctional pole for skiing or hiking.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Poles are commonly used for alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skate skiing, roller skiing, hiking, climbing, and snowshoeing. A single pole may be used (as is common with hiking), or the poles are used in pairs (as is common with skiing). The user holds the pole or poles in his or her hand or hands while striding or gliding. The poles are used for stability (e.g., hiking), balance (e.g., climbing), timing (e.g., alpine skiing), and propulsion (e.g., Nordic skiing). Herein all such hand-held poles will be referred to as “ski poles,” “pole,” or “poles.” 
         [0003]     Ski poles include a shaft with a handle on the top end. The bottom end of the pole may include a point or other reduced portion end for grip on icy surfaces. Alternatively the bottom end may include a pad or other bumper for use on hard dry surfaces, such as asphalt. With a ski pole for winter sports, the end of the pole also includes a basket positioned a few inches up from the tip. The basket is disc shaped or includes arms, rings, or other design to create some amount of resistance to being plunged deeply into snow. The basket is typically attached so as to stay in place during use but be removable for replacement or to switch baskets for different purposes. For example, larger baskets may be used for powder skiing and smaller baskets for alpine racing.  
         [0004]     Pole grips or handles are commonly constructed of injection-molded plastic. They are hollow and sized to be force-fit onto the upper end of the pole shaft. They are not made to be removed from the pole. The handles often include straps through which the hand is place before grasping the grip. The straps can be awkward to use, especially with the reduced dexterity of gloved hands, but help in keeping the poles with the user.  
         [0005]     Pole shafts are typically constructed of lightweight materials, such as aluminum or thermosetting composites, including fiberglass and carbon composites. The shaft is typically hollow and a few centimeters in diameter. The shaft length is cut depending on the height of the user and the type of use to which the pole will be put. For example, if the pole is designed for alpine skiing, the pole length (and thus the shaft length) from the handle to the basket is selected to be long enough to extend from the skier&#39;s hand to the ground, with the upper arm to the side and the elbow bent 90 degrees. Thus, poles of numerous lengths are sold to accommodate people of differing heights. Rental shops also carry poles of numerous lengths to reasonably accommodate as many users as expected. The shops must guess what the demands may be and stock poles accordingly. With some pole designs a shop selling a pair of poles may size excessively long poles for a shorter user by removing the force-fit handle from the shaft, sawing off a portion of the shaft and forcing the handle back on the shaft. However, this is a difficult, labor-intensive process that may damage the poles. Shops are reluctant to provide such a service. Furthermore, due to the difficultly in removing and re-installing the handle, if a pole shaft bends during use the entire set of poles is scrapped and a new set purchased.  
         [0006]     In some situations varying the length of a ski pole during an outing is desirable. For example, in alpine touring the user may wish to use a shorter pole length while climbing and a longer pole length while descending. Expensive, length-adjustable poles have been developed for this purpose. The poles include two telescoping sections with a clamp device to secure the two sections in a preferred position relative to each other.  
         [0007]     An example of such a pole is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,117 (Quintana et al.), incorporated herein by reference. These poles are useful and effective. However, they are relatively expensive compared to standard alpine ski poles. Furthermore, the telescoping construction of the poles and the clamping mechanism adds weight to the poles—weight that is considerably removed from the handle. Thus, the swing weight of the pole is increased, making use of the pole more tiring as more energy must be expended to use the pole. While such poles may be easy to adjust to a desired length they are not well suited for sales to the average alpine skier or for rental applications due to the cost of the poles and the added swing weight of the poles.  
         [0008]     Other adjustable poles have been developed. However, in each case the poles require too many complicated parts, difficult construction, or difficult adjustment. The ease of use is sacrificed and the expense increases.  
         [0009]     Besides the need for an inexpensive pole with an easy-to-adjust length that does not increase swing weight, poles suffer other drawbacks and could provide additional accessory benefits. Grips and handles may be made more user-friendly.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention provides a pole that may be adapted for alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, hiking, climbing, snowshoeing, or any other activity in which a hand-held pole is used. The pole provides an inexpensive assembly that features length adjustability without the necessity of tools in the preferred embodiment. The handle may also provide convenient storage or storage access for accessories. The handle can be personalized with various removable grips.  
         [0011]     More specifically the present invention provides a handle for a pole having an elongated shaft with an upper end and a lower end. The handle includes a tubular body and a retention member. The tubular body is sized to fit over the upper end of the shaft in sliding engagement. The retention member is coupled to the tubular member and engageable with the shaft. The retention member reversibly and selectively fixes the position of the handle relative to the shaft. The retention member includes a switch for releasing the fixation of the handle to the shaft.  
         [0012]     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the retention member includes a collar and the switch includes a lever to tighten the collar. The collar surrounds a portion of the retention member to secure it to the shaft. Preferably, the lever has a cam surface for tightening the collar as the lever is pressed toward a side of the collar. The tubular body includes a lower extension onto which the collar is secured. The lower extension is tightenable with the collar for reversibly fixing its position on the shaft. The lower extension includes at least one tab with a lip at the lower end to retain the collar from sliding free of the lower extension.  
         [0013]     In a further aspect of the invention, a removable cap is provided at the upper end of the tubular body. A container within the tubular body is accessible through the cap. The container allows the user to hold articles in the handle. In one embodiment, the container is simply formed by the tubular body. The container includes walls and a floor. In one embodiment, the cap includes a threaded engagement to the tubular body. In an alternate embodiment, the cap includes a cap lever with a rod extending downwardly from the lever. A compressible material is held on the rod to expand as it is compressed by the rod and lever. Compression and expansion of the material engages the material to the tubular body.  
         [0014]     In still a further aspect of the invention, a strap attachment member is coupled between the tubular body and the cap. The strap attachment member is pivotable about the axis of the tubular body.  
         [0015]     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a handle for a pole is provided. The pole includes a shaft with an upper end and a lower end. The handle includes a tubular body, a grip, and a grip retainer mechanism. The tubular body is sized to fit over the upper end of the shaft. The grip is secured over an exterior portion of the tubular body. The grip retainer mechanism is coupled to the grip on the tubular body. Release of the retainer mechanism allows the grip to be removed from the tubular body.  
         [0016]     In the preferred embodiment, the grip retainer mechanism includes a cap attached at a top end of the tubular body. The cap is selectively removable from the top end of the tubular body for removal of the grip. Alternatively, a releasable collar may be provided for grip retention on the tubular body.  
         [0017]     In a further aspect of the invention, the grip is formed of a translucent material. The translucent grip includes a graphic on an inside thereof. The grip also preferably includes a contoured external surface.  
         [0018]     The invention also includes a handle having a hollow tubular body with a removable cap for holding or storing items. The tubular body is sized to be fitted to the upper end of the shaft. The removable cap provides access to the inside of the tubular body. In one aspect of the invention, a container is held within the tubular body for storing or holding accessories. Preferably, the cap is disposed at a top end of the tubular body. The cap is accessible without removal of the handle from the shaft. Alternatively, the cap may be elsewhere, such as in the side of the handle or at the bottom end of the handle. In this instance access is provided by first removing the handle from the shaft.  
         [0019]     Further aspects of the invention include the handle allowing access to or holding at least one of the following accessories: tools, global positioning system, mobile phone, radio, music player, avalanche transceiver, blue tooth transmitter, fluid, and an electronic ski detection device. The cap provides access to at least one of the accessories. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a ski pole handle on a pole shaft;  
         [0022]     FIGS.  2 A-D are perspective views of a pole handle with a removable cap;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of a clamp used on a removable handle;  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a side-elevational, partial sectional view of the tabs to which the clamp is secured;  
         [0025]      FIGS. 5A  and B are side elevational views of a pole handle;  
         [0026]      FIG. 5C  is a perspective view of the pole handle illustrated in  FIGS. 5A  and B;  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a pole handle clamped to a pole shaft;  
         [0028]      FIG. 7A  is an exploded view of a pole handle and cap assembly; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the pole handle of  FIG. 7A . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0030]      FIG. 1  illustrates one preferred embodiment of the present invention. A ski pole  10  includes a shaft  12 , a handle  14  on the upper end of the shaft and a tip and a basket on the lower end (not shown). Shaft  12  is preferably specifically constructed for use with handle  14  of the invention. Alternatively, handle  14  may be adapted for use with common size pole shafts.  
         [0031]     The handle includes a body  16 , a grip  18 , a lower flange  20 , a cap  22 , and a strap  24 . Strap  24  is secured to the top of body  16  with a strap collar  26 . Body  16  is preferably generally cylindrical and sized to slide over the top of shaft  12 . Body  16  provides the main foundation for handle  14 , with the additional handle elements being attached to or adjacent to body  16 . Grip  18  is engaged over the top of body  16  and fits tightly on body  16 . Grip  18  preferably provides a textured region on handle  14  for the user to comfortably and securely grab. Grip  18  may be formed from an elastomeric material such as polyurethane or rubber. In some embodiments grip  18  is further contoured with finger recesses and palm bulges. Grip  18  is preferably translucent such that graphics can be seen through it. For example, graphics may be placed on the outer surface of body  16  or on the inner surface of grip  18 . Inner surface graphics can be placed on grip  18  by sublimation or other means. Grip  18  is alternatively formed integrally with body  16  as illustrated in  FIGS. 7A  and B discussed below.  
         [0032]     Lower flange  20  projects outwardly from the main portion of body  16  below grip  18 . Lower flange  20  is preferably integrally molded into body  16 . Alternatively, the flange may be constructed of a separate collar locked into place on body  16 . Lower flange  20  provides support to the bottom of the hand of the user of the pole. The size of lower flange  20  may be large or small. For example the flange may be quite small with just enough outwardly projecting material to retain grip  18 . In some embodiments, lower flange  20  is eliminated altogether.  
         [0033]     Cap  22  is preferably removably secured to the top of body  16 . Cap  22  includes a tool-less release mechanism allowing a user to easy remove it for access to the interior of handle  14 . Removal of cap  22  is also used to remove strap  24  and grip  18  from body  16 . Cap  18  is preferably slightly larger in diameter than the main portion of body  16  such that it carries out the retention function of strap collar  26  and grip  18 .  
         [0034]     Further details of handle  14  are clarified in FIGS.  2 A-D. Strap collar  26  is “C” shaped and includes strap collar ends  28 . A short fastener, one end of which can be seen in  FIG. 1 , is secured between strap collar ends  28 . The fastener preferably includes a spacer between strap collar ends  28  such that strap collar does not clamp too tightly on body  16  or strap  24 . This arrangement also allows strap collar to pivot around the top of body  16  about the longitudinal axis of shaft  12 .  
         [0035]     A clamp  30  is provided at the lower end of body  16  to releasably secure handle  14  to shaft  12 . Clamp  30  is a collar that is secured over downwardly projecting body tabs  44  of body  16 . Clamp  30  is tightened by closing an over-center cam lever  42  as will be discussed below in connection with  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  
         [0036]      FIGS. 2C  and D illustrate one preferred embodiment of the cap securement mechanism. Cap  22  includes a cap lever  32  pivotally secured to the top of cap  22 . Lever  32  is a lever pivotally secured within the top of cap  22  along an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of body  16 . Lever  32  is also pivotally secured to a rod  34  at a position further from the end of lever  32 . Thus when lever  32  is pressed downwardly into the top of cap  22 , rod  34  is pulled upwardly. Rod  34  extends downwardly from lever  32  and includes two opposing cones, upper cone  36  and lower cone  38 . Cones  36  and  38  narrow toward each other. Upper cone  26  is slidably coupled to rod  34 , while lower cone  38  is retained on the lower end of rod  34 . A compression member  40  is held on rod  34  between upper and lower cones  36  and  38 . Compression member  40  is an elastomeric material such as rubber or polyurethane. It is generally cylindrical in shape with slots at opposing sides facing the cones. When lever  32  is closed rod  34  pulls lower cone  38  upwardly relative to upper cone  36  such that compression material  40  is compressed and expands. The expansion of compression member bears against the sides of body  16  to hold cap  22  in place.  
         [0037]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate further details of the preferred means of retaining handle  14  to shaft  12 . Body  16  includes integrally formed tabs  44  extending downwardly from its main portion beneath grip  18  and flange  20 . Two slots  56  are preferably disposed between tabs  44 . Slots  56  allow tabs  44  to be easily compressed against shaft  12  when clamp  30  is tightened. Clamp  30  is secured to the outer walls of tabs  44 . Lips  54  retain clamp  30  such that it does not inadvertently slide off even when in its “open” position. Clamp  30  includes ears  46  extending outwardly from the “C” shaped main body. A fastener  48  extends through holes in ears  46 . The head of fastener  48  matingly engages with one of ears  46  such that fastener  48  does not rotate. The opposite end of fastener  48  includes threads enaged with clamp lever  42 . Clamp lever  42  includes a barrel in threaded engagement with fastener  48 . Lever  42  includes a cam at one end. Barrel  50  is pivotably secured within the cam end of lever  42 . When lever  42  is closed the cam pulls barrel  50  away from ears  46  to tighten fastener  48  in a manner similar to a bicycle seat post clamp.  
         [0038]     Alternative arrangements for securing body  16  to shaft  12  are envisioned. For example, the clamp may be positioned on the shaft with a portion of the body projecting into the upper end of the shaft. Slots in the upper end of the shaft may be provided to allow the shaft to tighten to the body.  
         [0039]     The system discussed above in which the handle is repositionable on the shaft provides the advantage of being quick to adjust for a variety of user and/or uses. For example, in a rental shop scenario, the stock of poles may be reduced, since the poles can more readily be fitted to the users from a supply of poles that cover a certain range of pole lengths. The same adjustability allows the same poles to be used for climbing and descending with a quick adjustment. The use of heavier, more expensive poles that have higher swing weights is thus avoided. Furthermore, if a pole shaft bends or breaks the handle may be switched to a new shaft. The expense of an entirely new set of poles is avoided. A user may wish to use the same handles on various pole shafts: some for backcountry use, others for racing, still others for freeskiing, for example.  
         [0040]     FIGS.  5 A-C illustrate an alternative embodiment of handle  14 . In this embodiment a removable top cap is not employed. The bottom of handle  14  includes a clamp for removably securing the handle to a pole shaft.  
         [0041]      FIG. 6 , further illustrates a handle embodiment that includes a translucent grip  18 . The word “ARMADA” is printed on body  16 . This graphic can be seen through translucent grip  18 , even with the textured surface of grip  18 . Graphics may be used on body  16  or in the interior of grip  18  to show through grip  18  and not be subject to scratches or wear. Translucent grip  18  may also be tinted or even solid colored in various places.  
         [0042]      FIGS. 7A  and B illustrate an alternate embodiment having a differing cap assembly. A ski pole  110  is provided with a shaft  112  and a handle  114 . Handle  114  is constructed primarily of body  116 . Body  116  includes a hollow core and an outer grip  118  integral therewith. It also includes upper and lower flanges  162  and  120 , respectively. Alternatively, body  16  may have a separate grip secured thereon as discussed in previous embodiments above. A cap  122  is removably secured to the top of body  116 . Preferably, cap  122  includes outer threads that receive inner threads within body  116 . A cap cover  132  is secured to the top of cap  122 .  
         [0043]     A strap retainer  126  is pivotally placed on the lower end of cap  122  by sliding a large opening of strap retainer over the threads  164 . A cap nut  166  is then used to hold strap retainer  126  in place. However, nut  166  does not bear tightly against strap retainer  126  so as to allow pivotal movement of strap retainer  126  about the longitudinal axis of body  116 . A slot  268  is formed in one side of strap retainer  126  to secure a pole strap.  
         [0044]     A container  170  is preferably provided. In one preferred embodiment, container  170  is secured to cap  122  by a threaded engagement. In other embodiments, container  170  is secured within body  116  and shaft  112 . Further embodiments eliminate container altogether. The walls of body  116  and/or of shaft  112  are used as a container. A floor may be provided in body  116  to provide a bottom for a contained space accessed by opening cap  122 .  
         [0045]     Handle  114  in one embodiment is force fit over the upper end of shaft  112 . Alternatively, it is slid over the upper end and held with a clamp, or other retention device, such as that described above in connection with  FIGS. 2-4 .  
         [0046]     In any and all of the embodiments discussed above, the removable cap or removable handle provides access to open space that can be used to hold accessories and other items. For example, tools may be stored in the handle or shaft. Screwdrivers for binding adjustment or a knife for other miscellaneous uses would be conveniently stored. An emergency kit may be held therein. A global positioning system may be placed in the handle. The readout may be on the handle cap or be transmitted elsewhere, such as to a wrist-worn display. A mobile phone may be held in the handle. The shaft provides an external antenna. An audio device, such as a radio or digital audio player may be held in the pole. The signal from such devices may be transmitted by Bluetooth technology to the user. An avalanche probe may be held within the pole shaft. A liquid for user hydration may be held. A receiver located in the pole or handle may be tuned to a signal of a transmitter on a ski to locate the ski in the event of a lost ski such as in deep snow or a crowded ski rack. In any such instance container  170  illustrated in  FIG. 7A  represents the accessory or device. The item is held within the handle or within the pole shaft or both, depending on its size. Ideally, any item of significant mass is held as near to the top of the pole as possible to reduce pole swing weight. Items may also be spread to both poles to even the weight of the poles as much as is practical.  
         [0047]     While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, various features of the differing embodiments discussed herein mixed with other features of other embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiments. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.