Patent Publication Number: US-8528577-B2

Title: Shock absorbing system for trekking poles

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to trekking poles, and more particularly to shock absorbing systems and methods for trekking poles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Trekking poles have become increasingly popular for rigorous outdoor hiking as well as casual walkers. A hiker may use one or two trekking poles, each of which may act as a point of support to help balance and support the weight of the hiker&#39;s body while walking or hiking. A trekking pole of this type typically includes a handgrip designed for grasping by the user&#39;s hand, and an elongated member (e.g., pole or rod) extending from the handgrip at one end and terminating at some type of a point on the other end for contacting the ground. 
     Trekking poles with shock absorption capability have been used to absorb shock forces translated to the user&#39;s hand when using the trekking pole. Implementing a shock-absorbing system makes using the trekking pole generally more pleasant by absorbing part of the impact between the pole and the ground. Providing shock absorption in the trekking pole may reduce stress and strain on the user&#39;s body and enhance the trekking pole&#39;s functionality. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a trekking pole assembly that includes a trekking pole and a handle assembly mounted to the trekking pole. The handle assembly includes a handle housing and a shock absorbing member. The handle housing has a top end, a bottom end, an interior cavity, an opening defined in the bottom end, and at least one lateral opening formed in the handle housing. The shock absorbing member is positioned in the interior cavity of the handle housing and interposed between the handle housing and the trekking pole. A portion of the shock absorbing member is at least partially displaceable through the at least one lateral opening. 
     The handle assembly may further include a handle cover mounted to an exterior of the handle housing. The trekking pole assembly may further include a plug inserted into an open proximal end of the trekking pole, the plug including a pin aperture, and an attachment pin that extends through the pin aperture and into the handle housing. The attachment pin may be configured to connect the plug to the handle housing. 
     The trekking pole assembly may further include a fastener, wherein the handle housing includes a housing pin aperture and a pin access opening, the attachment pin extends through the pin aperture and the housing pin aperture, and the fastener is insertable through the pin access opening and mounted to the attachment pin to retain the attachment pin to the handle housing. 
     The shock absorbing member may include a sleeve portion and an expandable portion. The sleeve portion may extend along at least a portion of a length of the trekking pole, and the expandable portion may be positioned between a proximal end of the trekking pole and the handle housing. The expandable portion may be configured to move through the at least one lateral opening in the handle housing upon relative longitudinal movement between the trekking pole and handle housing. The sleeve portion may include a plurality of longitudinally arranged ribs in contact with the trekking pole. 
     The handle housing may include a dividing wall that defines upper and lower cavities, and the shock absorbing member is positioned in the lower cavity. The handle housing may include a dividing wall that defines upper and lower cavities in the handle housing, wherein the housing pin aperture is defined in the dividing wall, and the at least one lateral opening is open to the lower cavity. The shock absorbing member may include a gel or semi-gel material. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a handle shock absorbing system that includes a handle member and a shock absorbing member. The handle member includes a first open end, a second closed end, and a plurality of lateral openings. The shock absorbing member is positioned in the handle member and is configured to expand out of at least one of the lateral openings upon application of a longitudinal force to the shock absorbing member. 
     The handle shock absorbing system may further include an attachment pin configured to connect the handle member to a trekking pole. The attachment pin may extend through a pin aperture in the handle member and through the shock absorbing member. The handle shock absorbing system may also include a plug insertable into the trekking pole, wherein the attachment pin extends through the plug and through a pin aperture of the handle member. 
     A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of absorbing shock forces in a trekking pole assembly. The method includes providing a trekking pole assembly having a trekking pole and a handle assembly mounted to the trekking pole, wherein the handle assembly includes a handle housing and a shock absorbing member interposed between the handle housing and the trekking pole. The handle housing includes at least one expansion cavity. The method further includes longitudinally moving the trekking pole toward the handle assembly to create a shock force, and moving a portion of the shock absorbing member into the at least one expansion cavity in a first direction to absorb at least some of the shock force. 
     The method may also include longitudinally moving the trekking pole away from the handle assembly, and moving the portion of the shock absorbing member out of the at least one expansion cavity in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The at least one expansion cavity may include first and second lateral openings through the handle housing, wherein moving a portion of the shock absorbing member includes moving separate portions of the shock absorbing member in opposite directions through the first and second lateral openings. 
     The method may also include coupling the handle assembly to the trekking pole with an attachment pin, wherein the attachment pin extends through a pin aperture in the handle housing, through the shock absorbing member, and through a plug mounted at a proximal end of the trekking pole. The shock absorbing member may include an expandable portion and a sleeve portion, wherein the sleeve portion extends along an exterior of the trekking pole along a portion of a length of the trekking pole, and the expandable portion is interposed between an end surface of the trekking pole and the handle housing. Moving a portion of the shock absorbing member may include expanding the expandable portion into the at least one expansion cavity. The method may also include rotating the handle assembly relative to the trekking pole to absorb shock or vibrational forces in the trekking pole assembly. 
     Features from any of the above-mentioned embodiments may be used in combination with one another in accordance with the general principles described herein. These and other embodiments, features, and advantages will be more fully understood upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate a number of exemplary embodiments and are a part of the specification. Together with the following description, these drawings demonstrate and explain various principles of the instant disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example trekking pole assembly in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a right side view of the trekking pole assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the trekking pole assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the trekking pole assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the trekking pole assembly of  FIG. 2  taken along cross-section indicators  5 - 5 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the trekking pole assembly of  FIG. 3  taken along cross-section indicators  6 - 6 . 
         FIG. 7  shows the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 5  with the handle assembly moved relative to the pole. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a shock absorbing member of the handle assembly show in  FIGS. 1-7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of the shock absorbing member of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the shock absorbing member of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the shock absorbing member of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the shock absorbing member of  FIG. 9  taken along cross-section indicators  12 - 12 . 
         FIG. 13A  is a graph illustrating shock absorption data for the trekking pole assembly of  FIGS. 1-12  resulting from a drop test. 
         FIG. 13B  is a graph illustrating shock absorption data for a trekking pole assembly without any shock absorbing system resulting from a drop test. 
         FIG. 14A  is a graph illustrating shock absorption data for the trekking pole assembly of  FIGS. 1-12  resulting from a side impact test. 
         FIG. 14B  is a graph illustrating shock absorption data for a trekking pole assembly without any shock absorbing system resulting from a side impact test. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the drawings, identical reference characters and descriptions indicate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. While the exemplary embodiments described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, one of skill in the art will understand that the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the instant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present application is directed to shock absorbing systems, and in particular shock absorbing members for a handgrip or handle assembly. Although the shock absorbing system shown in the drawings relate to trekking pole systems, the shock absorbing system for a handle assembly may form part of any number of other devices such as, for example, ski poles, sports rackets, hockey sticks, and other devices that include a handle mounted to the device. The shock absorbing system may be particularly useful for dissipating shock forces applied to an elongated device with a handle. The shock forces to be dampened may be translated from one end of the elongated device to another. The shock absorbing handle or handgrip may also provide shock absorption and dissipation of vibrational forces translated in other directions such as rotationally and laterally. 
     In one example, the shock absorbing system may include a shock absorbing member such as a gel insert or liner that is interposed between a housing of the handgrip and an end of the elongated member (i.e., a shaft or pole member of a trekking pole, ski pole or sports racket) to which the handgrip is mounted. The handle housing may include at least one opening or aperture that permits expansion of the shock absorbing member upon application of shock forces that compress the shock absorbing member. The opening or aperture may extend to an outer surface of the handle housing so that at least a portion of the shock absorbing member is visible and/or exposed outside the handle housing. In at least one example, the handle housing includes two lateral openings and the shock absorbing member expands through the two lateral openings upon application of a longitudinal shock force to the shock absorbing member. 
     The shock absorbing member may include a sleeve portion that extends along at least a portion of a length of the elongated structure (e.g., shaft or pole) to which the handgrip is mounted. The sleeve portion may allow some relative rotation and axial displacement between the handgrip and the elongated device. The sleeve portion may include a plurality of ribs that define an interface between the sleeve portion and the elongated member. In at least some arrangements, the ribs provide a reduced surface contact area between the shock absorbing member and the elongated member. 
     The handgrip may be connected to the elongated member of the device using an attachment pin. The attachment pin may extend from the elongated member, through at least a portion of the shock absorbing member, and may be attached to a portion of the handgrip housing. The attachment pin may be connected to the elongated member via a plug or cap that is mounted to an end of the elongated member. The attachment pin may provide a releasable connection between the handgrip housing and the elongated member to permit replacement/or repair of the handgrip housing. 
     The shock absorbing member may include different types of shock absorbing material, and may include a combination of different materials. The shock absorbing member may have different sizes and shapes for use with different devices and associated applications to provide variable amounts and varying degrees of shock absorption. Providing variable amounts of shock absorption at the handgrip may help users customize their elongated devices for different activities that impose different amounts and types of shock or vibration forces in the device. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-12 , an example trekking pole assembly  10  is shown and described. The trekking pole assembly  10  includes a pole  12 , a handle assembly  14 , a plug  16 , an attachment pin  18 , a pole insert  20 , and a clip  22  (see  FIGS. 4-7 ). The pole  12  includes distal and proximal ends  30 ,  32 , respectively, and a hollow interior  34 . The pole insert  20  may be inserted into the hollow core  34  of the pole  12  near the proximal end  32 . The pole insert  20  may help strengthen and provide additional rigidity at the proximal end  32  where the handle assembly  14  is mounted to the pole  12 . The plug  16  may be mounted to the proximal end  32  by inserting at least a portion of the plug  16  into the hollow core  34 . Other structures, such as a cap structure or a combination plug and cap structure, that at least partially extend along an exterior surface of the pole  12  may be used in place of the plug  16 . 
     The handle assembly  14  is mounted to the pole  12  at the proximal end  32 . The attachment pin  18  may be inserted through the distal end  30  of the pole  12 , through the plug  16 , and into the handle assembly  14 . The clip  22  may be secured to the attachment pin  18  within the handle assembly  14  to maintain the attachment pin  18  connected to the handle assembly  14 . 
     The handle assembly  14  may include a handle or handgrip housing  40 , a handle cover  42 , and a shock absorbing member  44 . The shock absorbing member  44  may also be referred to herein as a gel member, a liner, a shock absorbing gel, or a shock absorbing liner. The shock absorbing member  44  may comprise material having enhanced shock and vibration absorption properties. Any suitable elastomeric rubber or similar material may be used. Some example materials for shock absorbing member  44  may include Narcom™, silicon gel, fluid, and air. 
     The handgrip housing  40  includes upper and lower ends  50 ,  52 , a bottom opening  54 , first and second lateral openings  56 ,  58  having a plurality of flow through lateral apertures  60 , and a dividing wall  62  that separates an interior of the handle housing  40  into respective upper and lower cavities  64 ,  66  (see  FIGS. 4-6 ). The dividing wall  62  includes a pin aperture  68  sized to receive the attachment pin  18 . The dividing wall  62  may also define a clip seat  70  sized to receive the clip  22 . The handle housing  40  may also include a lateral pin access opening  72  that provides an opening into the upper cavity  64  for insertion of the clip  22 , wherein the clip  22  is connected to the attachment pin  18 . An opening cover  74  may be mounted to the handle housing  40  to enclose the upper cavity  64  and substantially cover the lateral pin access opening  72  (see  FIGS. 2 and 4 ). 
     The dividing wall  62  may completely separate the upper and lower cavities  64 ,  66 . In some arrangements, the dividing wall  62  may include a plurality of openings that permit some expansion of the shock absorbing member  44  into the upper cavity  64 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the handle cover  42  may optionally be used in connection with the shock absorbing system. The handle cover  42  may include a plurality of openings that may be aligned with the various openings of the handle housing  40 , such as, for example, the first and second lateral openings  56 ,  58 , the lateral pin access opening  72 , and the bottom opening  54 . The handle cover  42  may comprise an improved gripping material that enhances a connection between the user&#39;s hand and the handle assembly  14 . The handle cover  42  may comprise material such as, for example, cork, rubber, plastic, wood, and metal. In some arrangements, the handle cover  42  may be integrally formed with the handle housing  40  using, for example, a co-molding process. In other arrangements, the material of the handle housing  40  may provide a desired amount of gripping by the user, thus eliminating the need for the handle cover  42 . 
     A hole  71  (FIGS.  2  and  4 - 7 ) may be defined through the handle housing  40  and handle cover  42 . The hole  71  may be sized for inserting a pin (not shown) to which a wrist webbing (not shown) may be attached. The hole  71  may extend into the upper cavity  64 . The wrist webbing may be used to secure the trekking pole assembly  10  to the user&#39;s wrist. In some arrangements, at least portions of the wrist webbing may extend through the hole  71  to directly secure the wrist webbing to at least one of the handle housing  40  and handle cover  42 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-12 , the shock absorbing member  44  may comprise a sleeve portion  90 , a pair of opposed expandable portions  92 , a plurality of rib members  94 , and a pin aperture  96 . The expandable portion  92  may be configured to expand laterally or radially outward relative to the sleeve portion  90 . The expandable portion  92  may be positioned at a proximal end surface of the proximal end  32  of the pole  12  (see  FIG. 7 ). The expandable portion  92  may be interposed inside an interior cavity of the handle housing  40 , with the sleeve portion  90  inserted over proximal end  32  of the pole  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the expandable portion  92  has a thickness that is substantially greater than a thickness of the sleeve portion. 
     The sleeve portion  90  may be configured to extend around a periphery of the pole  12  along at least a portion of a length of the pole  12 . Specifically, the sleeve portion  90  may be interposed between the pole  12  (along the length of the pole  12 ) and the handle housing  40  within the lower cavity  66 . The sleeve portion  90  may include an increased thickness portion  91  at an end of the shock absorbing member  44  opposite the expandable portion  92 . The sleeve portion  90  may include a plurality of interior rib numbers  94  ( FIGS. 9 ,  11 , and  12 ) extending along a length thereof in a longitudinal orientation. The rib members  94  may define a reduced surface contact area between the shock absorbing member  44  and the outer peripheral surfaces of the pole  12  along a portion of the length of pole  12 . The rib members  94  may enhance relative movement between the handgrip housing  40  and the pole  12  for torsional shock absorption. In at least some arrangements, the rib members  94  may also promote longitudinal movement between the handgrip housing  40  and the pole  12 . 
     The increased thickness portion  91 , along with other portions of the sleeve portion  90 , may assist in dissipating shock forces (e.g., longitudinal impact forces, torsional forces, and vibrational forces) between the pole  12  to the handle assembly  14 . The increased thickness portion  91  may be effective in dissipating forces as they travel up the pole  12  from the distal end  30  toward the proximal end  32  as such forces first reach the handle assembly  14  at the lower end  52  of the handle housing  40 . 
     The shock absorbing member  44  may be constructed as a single unitary piece. In at least one example, the shock absorbing member  44  may be injection molded into the lower cavity  66  of the handle housing  40 . The material used to form the shock absorbing member  44  may flow through the flow through lateral apertures  60  of the handle housing  40  to create additional lateral flow paths for the shock absorbing member  44  to move relative to the handle housing  40 . The multiple flow paths for material of the shock absorbing member  44  include both the first and second lateral openings  56 ,  58  and the flow through lateral aperture  60 , which may also assist in permitting the expandable portion  92  to return to its original shape (see  FIG. 5 ) after having expanded out through the openings  56 ,  58 ,  60  when longitudinal forces are applied (see  FIG. 7 ). 
     The first and second lateral openings  56 ,  58  may be constructed as expansion cavities in communication with the interior lower cavity  66  and extend to openings in an outer surface of the handgrip housing  40 . Portions of the shock absorbing member  44  may move into and out of, or through, the expansion cavities defined by the first and second lateral openings  56 ,  58 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , when a longitudinally impact force is applied to the handle assembly  14  in a downward direction (F D ) toward the pole  12 , or a longitudinally directed force is applied to the pole in the upward direction (F U ) toward the handle assembly  14 , the pole  12  moves relative to the handgrip housing  40  to compress a portion of the shock absorbing member  44  in a longitudinal or upward direction.  FIG. 7  illustrates the expandable portion  92  of the shock absorbing member  44  expanding radially or laterally in a direction L as the proximal end  32  of the pole  12  moves longitudinally relative to the handle housing  40 . The plug  16  may provide additional surface contact area along the proximal end  32  of the pole  12  that contacts the expandable portion  92  of the shock absorbing member  44 . 
     The expandable portion  92  may be forced out of the space now occupied by the proximal end  32  of the pole  12 . Due to the shape and size of the upper cavity  64 , which is defined at least in part by the dividing wall  62 , the expandable portion  92  will tend to move into any open space (e.g., laterally) inside or outside of the housing handle  40 . The first and second lateral openings  56 ,  58  and the flow through lateral aperture  60  provide pathways for portions of the expandable portion  92  to move or expand as the pole  12  moves longitudinally further towards the dividing wall  62 . 
     While the handgrip housing  40  of the present embodiment includes first and second lateral openings  56 ,  58  that expose portions of the shock absorbing member  44  at exterior surface locations along the handle assembly  14 , other embodiments may provide an interior space or cavity enclosed within the handle assembly  14  within which the shock absorbing member  44  may expand as the pole  12  moves relative to the handgrip housing  40 . The cavity or space in the handgrip housing  40  within which the shock absorbing member  44  expands may be arranged in any direction relative to the longitudinal movement of the pole  12  relative to the handle assembly  14 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 4 and 7 , as the pole  12  moves toward the handle assembly  14  longitudinally, the attachment pin  18  may move further longitudinally into the upper cavity  64 . The attachment pin  18  may move relative to the handgrip housing  40  without being disconnected from the handgrip housing  40 . The attachment pin  18  includes a head  26  retained against the plug  16 , and a clip recess  27  that receives the clip  22  to limit longitudinal motion of the attachment pin  18  relative to the pole  12  and handle assembly  14 . The clip  22  may be removable from the clip recess  27  to permit disassembly of the handle assembly  14  from the pole  12 . Other fasteners besides attachment pin  18  and clip  22  may be used to releaseably or permanently secure the attachment pin  18  to the pole  12  and handle assembly  14 . 
     The attachment pin  18  may be circular in cross-section, or may have a polygonal (e.g., rectangular) or other noncircular cross-section along at least a portion of its length. A pin aperture  24  of the plug  16  (discussed below), the pin aperture  96  of the shock absorbing member  44 , and the pin aperture  68  of the handgrip housing  40  may be sized and shaped to correspond to the cross-sectional size and shape of the attachment pin  18 . A mating relationship between the pin apertures  24 ,  96 ,  68  and the attachment pin  18  may limit relative rotation between the attachment pin  18 , plug  16 , shock absorbing member  44 , and handgrip housing  40 . 
     The plug  16  may include a pin aperture  24  through which the attachment pin  18  is inserted. The plug  16  may also include a rim or cap  25  that defines at least in part a surface against which the pole  12  contacts the expandable portion  92  of the shock absorbing member  44 . The cap  25  may also define a surface against which the head  26  of the attachment pin  18  contacts to retain the attachment pin  18  to the pole  12 . 
     In other arrangements, the plug  16  may be sized to fit over an exterior surface of the pole  12  rather than being inserted into the hollow core  34 . In some arrangements, the plug  16  may extend completely within the hollow core  34 . The plug  16  may be secured to the pole  12  with, for example, an interference fit. Other connection features and arrangements may be used to secure the plug  16  to the pole  12  such as, for example, fasteners, snap-fit features, adhesives, or other connecting methods and structures. Similarly, the attachment pin  18  may include various features and constructions that secure the attachment pin  18  to either or both of the pole  12  and handle assembly  14 . In at least one example, the attachment pin  18  extends downward from the handle assembly  14  into plug  16  and is secured to the plug  16  with a snap-fit or other connection. 
     The bulging or expanding of the expandable portion  92  through the first and second lateral openings  56 ,  58  to an outer surface of the handle housing  40  may provide a tactile or visual confirmation to the user that the trekking pole assembly  10  is absorbing shock forces exerted between the pole  12  and handle assembly  14 . In some arrangements, the handgrip housing  40  may include only a single lateral opening or three or more lateral openings that provide a pathway for at least a portion of the shock absorbing member  44  to expand or otherwise move during relative longitudinal movement between the pole  12  and handle assembly  14 . In some examples, the expandable portion is positioned along the length of the sleeve portion at a location spaced distal of the proximal end  32  of the pole when in a rest state. 
     The openings or pathways in the handle housing  40  through which the shock absorbing member  44  expands as part of absorbing shock, vibration, or other forces between the pole  12  and handle assembly  14  may be arranged at any angle, including an angle that may not be directly radial or lateral as is shown in the figures. Any pathway or opening in the handle assembly  14  that permits expansion of a portion of the shock absorbing member  44  during relative movement of the pole  12  and handle assembly  14 , whether exposed along an exterior surface of the handle assembly  14  or concealed within the handle assembly  14 , may enhance the ability of the shock absorbing member  44  to perform its intended function of absorbing forces. 
     The sleeve portion  90  and expandable portion  92  of the shock absorbing member  44  may be integrally formed as a single piece. In other arrangements, the sleeve portion  90  and expandable portion  92  may be formed as separate pieces that may be separately assembled with the handle housing  40 . In some arrangements, the shock absorbing member  44  may include only one of the sleeve portion  90  and expandable portion  92 . 
     The first and second lateral openings  56 ,  58  may be arranged along the handle housing  40  at any longitudinal location relative to dividing wall  62 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second lateral openings  56 ,  58  are positioned adjacent to the dividing wall  62  and proximal of the proximal end  32  of pole  12  prior to the forces F D , F U  being applied (i.e., a rest state). In other arrangements, the lateral openings in the handle housing  40  may be positioned distal of the proximal end  32  when the trekking pole assembly is in a rest state. 
     Many features of the handle assembly  14  may help contribute to the shock absorbing capability of the handle assembly  14 . For example, the materials for the shock absorbing member  44 , the position of the shock absorbing member  44  interposed between the pole  12  and handle housing  40 , the construction of the shock absorbing member  44  (e.g., the sleeve portion  90 , the expandable portion  92 , the rib members  94 , and the increased thickness portion  91 , individually or in any combination), connection of the handle assembly  14  to the pole  12  using the plug  16  and slidable attachment pin  18 , and the construction of the handgrip housing  40  to permit expansion of the shock absorbing member  44  (i.e., the lateral openings  56 ,  58  of the handle housing  40 ) each individually, or in some combination, provide improved shock absorption capability for a device (e.g., trekking pole assembly) that includes the handle assembly  14 . 
       FIGS. 13A and 14A  illustrate shock absorption test data for the trekking pole assembly  10 .  FIGS. 13B and 14B  illustrate shock absorption test data for a trekking pole assembly that does not include any shock absorption features (i.e., the shock absorbing member  44  or other feature that is intended to absorb shock forces in the trekking pole assembly).  FIGS. 13A-B  represent test data from a drop test in which the trekking pole assembly is held vertically upright and dropped to the ground from a predetermined distance.  FIGS. 14A-B  represent test data from a side impact test in which the trekking pole assembly is help vertically upright and a lateral impact force is applied to the trekking pole assembly. 
     The test data represented in  FIGS. 13A-B  and  14 A-B is gathered by an accelerometer that is mounted to the handle cover  42  of the handle assembly  14 . The graphs shown in  FIGS. 13A-B  and  14 A-B have units of gravity pull (G) on the vertical axis and units of time (seconds) on the horizontal axis. 
     A comparison of  FIGS. 13A and 14A  with  FIGS. 13B and 14B  shows that the trekking pole assembly  10  has significantly greater deceleration (representing increased absorption of shock forces) in a shorter amount of time as compared to a trekking pole assembly without shock absorbing features. 
     The preceding description has been provided to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize various aspects of the exemplary embodiments described herein. This exemplary description is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant disclosure. It is desired that the embodiments described herein be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive and that reference be made to the appended claims and their equivalents for determining the scope of the instant disclosure. 
     Unless otherwise noted, the terms “a” or “an,” as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as meaning “at least one of.” In addition, for ease of use, the words “including” and “having,” as used in the specification and claims, are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”