Abstract:
A pole mechanism that can be adjusted with one hand that can be used in trekking poles, tool handles, and other applications requiring the use of an adjustable-length elongated member.

Description:
STATEMENT OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The following application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/941,475, filed Jun. 1, 2007, the complete contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to the field of adjustable-length poles, particularly those used in outdoor equipment, such as support poles for trekking. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    Many hikers, backpackers, and mountaineers use a single pole or a pair of poles for additional support while trekking. On uneven, steep, or slippery terrain, these poles can provide stability. In addition, these poles can assist in distributing a person&#39;s weight, thereby reducing the stress on the knees, hips, and ankles, as well as providing extra power by engaging the strength of the upper body. 
         [0006]    As trekkers come in many shapes in sizes, so must their poles. To obtain the maximum benefit from the poles, it is important that the poles are sized properly to not only the person, but also adjustable to the terrain. For example, when trekking uphill a person may want the poles slightly shorter than normal, but if going downhill, he may want them slightly longer. In addition, a person may also want to conveniently store the poles when not in use, whether on the trail or in a closet or bag. 
         [0007]    Several types of adjustable trekking poles presently exist to fill this need. Typically, these are multi-sectional poles that telescope out to the desired length and then lock into place with either a twisting mechanism or a spring-loaded pin. Although adjusting these poles is not terribly difficult, a person must stop on the trail and usually use two hands to make any necessary adjustments. This can be, at best, slightly inconvenient, or even possibly dangerous on hazardous terrain. When trekking in an environment with multiple ascents and descents, frequent pole adjustments can break the person&#39;s rhythm and create a nuisance. In cold weather, this operation could be further complicated by bulky gloves, which could prevent proper adjustment and securing of the pole lengths. 
         [0008]    A mechanism providing easy, one-handed adjustment of a pole could also be useful in many other applications other than trekking poles. For example, a painter may need to quickly telescope out a painting device to reach a high ceiling, and then need a shorter handle for painting down low. Similarly, maintenance personnel could also benefit from having cleaning tools with variable-length handles that can be adjusted with one hand. 
         [0009]    What is needed is a one-handed mechanism for easily and quickly adjusting the length of a trekking pole or other tool with for minimal disruption to a trekker&#39;s travel on the trail or a worker on the job. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjusting mechanism of the present device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2   a  is a detail perspective view of an embodiment of the actuating mechanism of the present device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2   b  is a detail of the longitudinal cross section of an embodiment of an actuating collar component of the present device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2   c  is a detail of an embodiment of an embodiment of an actuation device housing component of the present device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present device. In some embodiments, a first elongated tubular member  102  and a second elongated tubular member  104  can be slidably coupled such that the proximal end of a second elongated tubular member  104  can telescope out from and retract into the distal end of a first elongated tubular member  102 . In other embodiments, the distal end of a first elongated tubular member  102  can telescope out from and retract into the proximal end of a second elongated tubular member  104 . A second elongated tubular member  104  can also taper from the proximal end to the distal end. In some embodiments, an end member  106  can be attached to the distal end of a second elongated tubular member  104  and taper from the proximal end to the distal end. In other embodiments, an end member  206  can be integrated with the distal end of a second elongated tubular member  104 . Although depicted in  FIG. 1  having a circular cross-section, a first elongated tubular member  102 , a second elongated tubular member  104 , and an end member  106  can have any known and/or convenient cross-sectional geometry and dimensions. 
         [0016]    A first elongated tubular member  102  and a second elongated tubular member  104  can house a mechanism to adjust the overall length of the present device.  FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a mechanism. A rod  202  can have a plurality of indentations  204  that can be substantially evenly spaced along the length of a rod  202 . In some embodiments, said indentations  204  can be substantially rounded, but in other embodiments said indentations  204  can be any known and/or convenient geometry and dimensions. Said indentations can also be circumferential grooves, which can have a substantially rounded cross section or any known and/or convenient geometry and dimensions. An end member  206  can be connected to the distal end of a rod  202  and can selectively engage with the interior of a second elongated tubular member  104  to hold an end member  206  and a rod  202  in place within a second elongated tubular member  104 . Although depicted here in  FIG. 2  as having circular cross-sections, a rod  202  and an end member  206  can have any known and/or convenient cross-sectional geometry and dimensions. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2   a  depicts a detail perspective view of an embodiment of the actuating mechanism of the present device. A locking tube  208  can have at least one opening  210  through the wall of a locking tube  208 . Although depicted in  FIG. 2   a  as being substantially circular, an opening  210  can have any known and/or convenient geometry and dimensions. In some dimensions, a locking tube  208  can have an interior cross-sectional configuration and dimensions such that a rod  202  can slide through it. At least one spherical member  212  can be set into at least one opening  210 . 
         [0018]    A stop collar  214  can have an interior cross-sectional configuration and dimensions such that it can be selectively coupled with the distal end of a locking tube  208 . A stop collar  214  can have an exterior cross-sectional configuration and dimensions such that the exterior cross-sectional area is less than that of an end member  206 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2   b  shows a detail of an embodiment of an actuating collar  216 . An indentation  218  can be located on the interior surface of an actuating collar  216 . An indentation  218  can located substantially proximal to the transverse midline or at any known and/or convenient location on the interior surface of an actuating collar  216  or at any known and/or convenient location on the interior surface. Further, in some embodiments, an indentation  218  can be substantially rounded, but in other embodiments can be any known and/or convenient geometry and dimensions. In some embodiments, said indentation can also be a circumferential groove, which can have a substantially rounded cross section or any known and/or convenient geometry and dimensions. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 2   a , a second stop collar  220  can have an interior cross-sectional configuration and dimensions such that it can be selectively coupled with the proximal end of a locking tube  208 . A second stop collar  220  can have an exterior cross-sectional configuration and dimensions such that the exterior cross-sectional area is less than that of an end member  206 . Further, a second stop collar  220  can have an opening running longitudinally through a second stop collar  220  at a point substantially at the midpoint between the interior and exterior surfaces of a second stop collar  220 . In some embodiments, this opening can be substantially rounded, but in other embodiments can be any known and/or convenient geometry and dimensions. 
         [0021]    A washer  222  can be removably coupled with the proximal end of a rod  202 . Although depicted in  FIG. 2   a  as being circular, in other embodiments, a washer  222  can be substantially rounded or can have any known and/or convenient geometry and dimensions. 
         [0022]    An engaging member  224  can be attached substantially perpendicularly to the proximal edge of an actuating collar  216 , and in some embodiments, pass through an opening  221  running longitudinally through a second stop collar  220 . As depicted in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 2   a , an engaging member  224  can be a rod, but in other embodiments an engaging member  224  can have any known and/or convenient geometry. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 2   a , an upper stop collar  220  can be coupled with a locking tube  208  such that an actuating collar  216  can move longitudinally between a first stop collar  214  and a upper stop collar  220 . Other embodiments may only have a first stop collar  214  present without an upper stop collar  220 . 
         [0024]    A spacing tube  226  can have interior cross-sectional configuration and dimensions such that it can be selectively coupled with the proximal end of a locking tube  208 . In some embodiments, a spacing tube  226  can have a length less than that of an engagement member  224 . A spacing tube  226  can have a longitudinal channel  228  on its exterior surface, running along the entire length of a spacing tube  226 . A longitudinal channel  228  can be of geometry and dimensions such that an engagement member  224  can rest inside of said longitudinal groove  228 . In other embodiments, external guides attached to or integrated with the exterior surface of a spacing tube  226  can lie longitudinally adjacent to an engagement member  224 . In some embodiments, an engagement member  224  can be attached to an actuating collar  216 , pass through an opening  221  longitudinally through the wall of a second stop collar  220 , and rest inside of a longitudinal channel  228  on the surface of a spacing tube  226 . A first elastomeric member  230  can be housed within a spacing tube  226  proximal to a washer  222  at the proximal end of a rod  202 . Although depicted in  FIG. 2  as a helical coil, a first elastomeric member  230  can be any known and/or convenient device that provides a resistive force. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2   c , the present device can have a housing  232  for an actuation device assembly. However, other embodiments do not need to have an actuation device assembly or a housing  232 . A housing  232  can have a distal extension having an exterior geometry and dimensions such that it can selectively couple with the proximal end of a spacing tube  226 . A housing  232  can also have a longitudinal opening  233  of geometry and dimensions such that an engagement member  224  can pass through the opening  233 . At the proximal end of a longitudinal opening on the proximal surface of a housing  232 , there can be an enlarged opening of geometry and dimensions such as to accommodate a second elastomeric member  234  and an actuation device  236 . Although depicted in  FIG. 2   c  as a helical coil, a second elastomeric member  234  can be any known and/or convenient device that provides a resistive force. 
         [0026]    An actuation device  236  can be coupled with the proximal end of an engagement member  224  such that a second elastomeric member  234  can be positioned immediately distal to an actuation device  236 . A second elastomeric member  234  can provide a resistive force against a user moving an actuation device  236 . As shown in  FIG. 2   c , an actuation device  236  can have a substantially circular cross-section, but in other embodiments an actuation device  236  can have any known and/or convenient cross-sectional geometry and dimensions. 
         [0027]    Although shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 2   c  as having only one adjustment mechanism, in other embodiments the present device can employ a plurality of adjustment mechanisms. In some embodiments, adjustment mechanisms can be controlled via the same actuation device assembly, but in other embodiments, multiple adjustment mechanisms can be controlled by separate actuation device assemblies. 
         [0028]    In operation of some embodiments, a user can move an engagement member  224  in a distal direction, which moves an actuating collar  216  in a distal direction relative to a locking tube  208 . At least one substantially spherical member  212  then moves radially outward from the indentation  204  on a rod  202 , through the at least one opening  210  in a locking tube  208 , and into the indentation  218  on the interior of an actuating collar  216 , releasing a rod  202 . As long as the engagement member  224  is in a distal position, an actuating collar  216  is kept in a distal position and a rod  202  can move freely through a locking tube  208 . A first elastomeric member  230  can provide a compression force to push a rod  202 , which can be selectively engaged with a second elongated tubular member  104 , in a distal direction. In some embodiments, a user can move an engagement member in a distal direction via an actuation device assembly, but other embodiments can operate without a actuation device assembly, while others can employ any known and/or convenient actuation device assembly. 
         [0029]    To extend the overall length of the device, a user can allow a second elongated tubular member  104  to telescope outward from a first elongated tubular member  102  in response to a compression force provided by a first elastomeric member  230 . To decrease the overall length of the device, a user can provide an external force greater than a compression force provided by a first elastomeric member  230  to push a second elongated tubular member  104  into a first elongated tubular member  102 . For example, a user can place the distal end of the device on the ground and exert a downward force on the device to cause a second elongated tubular member  104  to retract into a first elongated tubular member  102 . 
         [0030]    When the device is at the desired overall length, a user can move an engagement member  224  in a proximal direction, which moves an actuating collar  216  also in a proximal direction relative to a locking tube  208 . At least one substantially spherical member  212  moves radially inward from an indentation  218  on the interior of an actuating collar  216 , through the at least one opening  210  in a locking tube  208 , and into the indentations  204  on a rod  202 , where the at least one substantially spherical member  212  are held in place by an actuating collar  216 , which locks a rod  202  into a desired position. In some embodiments, a user can move an engagement member in a proximal direction via an actuation device assembly, but other embodiments can operate without a actuation device assembly, while others can employ any known and/or convenient actuation device assembly. 
         [0031]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.