Patent Description:
Poles are commonly used for alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skate skiing, roller skiing, hiking, climbing, and snowshoeing. The poles are used for stability, balance, timing, and propulsion. Herein all such hand-held poles such as; walking poles, trekking poles, alpine ski poles, cross country ski poles, or Nordic Walking poles will be referred to as "ski poles," "pole," or "poles.

The pole includes a shaft with a handle arranged on the top end. The bottom end of the pole may include a point or other reduced portion end for grip on icy surfaces. The bottom end may also 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 designs to create some amount of resistance to being plunged deeply into snow. The basket may be attached so as to stay in place during use but may also 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.

Attached to the upper part of the pole is a grip or handle with a strap. These are slipped over the wrist to improve the skier's hold on the grip and to prevent the loss of the pole in the event of a fall. Pole grips or handles are commonly constructed of injection-molded plastic, they may have different types of outer cover for easy and comfortable grip, such as cork, leather, fabric, etc. The grip or handles 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 hand straps through which the hand of the user is placed before grasping the grip. The purpose of the hand strap is to avoid an inadvertent loss of the pole and in order to transfer the strength of the hand of the user onto the pole. In addition, the hand straps help in keeping the poles with the user and help to obtain a solid grip over a longer period.

<CIT> relates to a pole handle comprising a wrist strap formed of a strap connected to an insert, a body oriented along a longitudinal axis, the body comprising an insert housing adapted to receive the insert, the insert housing being arranged in the upper portion of the body, such that the insert can be inserted into the housing along a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, and a latching mechanism for retaining the insert in the insert housing, the unlatching of the latching mechanism being capable of being actuated directly by a displacement of the insert along the direction opposite that of insertion of the insert. The latching mechanism comprises a latch movable in relation to the body.

Releasable strap systems have been implemented by pole manufacturers as well, which serve to prevent wrist injuries in the event of a crash, or they may come in different sizes allowing the hand straps to be replaced based on the user's preferences. In addition, a releasable strap allows the strap to be replaced in case it is broken or damaged.

Hand straps are normally adjustable to various hand sizes as well as for use with or without gloves, by variability of their length. In this sense, a plurality of possibilities exist to variably fasten hand straps to a pole handle.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a hand strap connection system for easily connecting a hand strap to a grip or handle of a ski pole and allowing easy disconnecting without the use of external tools.

The present invention is directed to a pole connection system for releasably connecting a hand strap to a handle of the pole. The system comprises a buckle connected to the hand strap, and a locking device connected to the handle, wherein the locking device is adapted to receive the buckle for locking the buckle and connecting the hand strap to the handle of the pole.

The locking device comprises a locking device lower end, a locking device upper end, a recess and a first edge, wherein the recess is arranged at the locking device lower end and the first edge is arranged with a first distance between the locking device lower end and the locking device upper end, the recess having an opening facing the first edge.

The buckle comprises a buckle lower end, a buckle upper end, a locking head and a second edge, wherein the locking head is arranged at the buckle lower end and the second edge is located at a second distance between the buckle lower end and the buckle upper end.

The locking head is adapted to be inserted into the recess through the opening and the buckle locked into the recess by the first edge abutting the second edge.

The buckle further comprises a puller for release of the buckle from the locking device, and the puller is connected to the buckle adjacent the buckle upper end, the puller is configured to lift the second edge such that the first and second edge are no longer abutting and the locking head may be released from the recess.

The term "buckle" refers also to a retainer. A retainer is defined as a removable device arranged for holding something in place, such as the hand strap to the handle of the ski pole.

The term "pole" is in the present application referred to at least any one of; walking poles, trekking poles, roller ski poles, alpine ski poles, cross country ski poles, or Nordic Walking poles.

The term "recess" refers to a space, such as a niche or alcove, setback or indented. The recess has an opening defining the entrance and exit into the recess.

The hand strap may be length and width adjustable and may comprise an element essentially formed like a band, which forms, between a first, fastened end, and a free, second end of the hand strap, a loop, which surrounds the hand of the user. The element of the hand strap which is formed like a band may be formed of a woven material, preferably from a woven band of artificial fibers or natural fibers. Alternatively, the strap can also be thermoplastic molded from a soft plastic material.

The hand strap may be connected to the buckle at the first, fastened end of the strap to the buckle's lower end. The hand strap may be connected to the buckle lower end between two locking heads of the buckle.

The recess of the locking device may comprise an upper barrier arranged such that it overlaps at least a section of the locking head, such that it prevents the locking head and the buckle from being lifted vertically out from the recess. The upper barrier may be a ledge, list or protrusion, restricting vertical movement of the locking head while located in the recess. The locking head, while located in the recess can only be released from the recess by moving the locking head through the opening of the recess in a direction towards the first edge.

The buckle while situated in the recess is prevented from moving in any direction, due to the shape of the recess, the upper barrier and the second edge. The buckle may only be released by lifting the buckle upper end such that the first and second edge no longer abuts, and the locking head and the buckle can be released.

The first and second edges may comprise corresponding mating surfaces that can go in tension against each other. The mating surface may be planar, angled or comprise structure on the surface.

The buckle may comprise a wedge arranged on the buckle and adapted to abut against the upper barrier of the recess such that a retaining force is provided when the buckle is retained into the locking device. The wedge may be flexible, or spring loaded, allowing it to be tensioned against the upper barrier.

The puller for lifting the first edge from its interaction with the second edge may be a lever or a pulling arm connected to the buckle upper end. The lever or pulling arm may extend towards the locking device upper end, or the lever/pulling arm may extend beyond the end of the locking device upper end to provide a trigger/handle for easy and quick releasing of the buckle. The lever or the pulling arm may also extend in the opposite direction towards the recess or towards the hand strap. The lever or the pulling arm may be fixed to the buckle or the retainer such that it constitutes one single unit.

The puller may be a strap or flap connected to the buckle upper end and arranged such that it lifts the second edge such that it is released from interaction with the first end, when pulling the strap. The strap or flap may be in any suitable material such as plastic, woven fabric, metal, etc. and the strap/flap may be removable/detachable from the buckle/retainer.

The second edge may be located between the buckle lower end and the buckle upper end, such that there is a distance between the second edge and the buckle upper end. The first edge of the locking device may also be arranged accordingly such that the length of the first distance of the locking device corresponds to the length of the second distance of the buckle.

The distance between the second edge and the buckle upper end provides a bending momentum (torque arm) relative to the second edge for easy connecting and releasing the second edge from its cooperation with the first edge, when the buckle is lifted at the buckle upper end.

The grip or handle of the pole may comprise a handle body with a top section, and a grip section. The handle body may be a longitudinal tubular section and the top section arranged on top of the longitudinal section.

The locking device may be arranged on the top section. The top section may be substantially horizontal, or the top section may be arranged with an angle relative to a horizontal plane of the top section. The locking device is arranged such that the locking device's lower end is ascending towards the locking device's upper end. This arrangement allows the locking head to be pulled into and retained in the recess in the pulling direction of the hand strap. This is preferable, since the hand strap while in use (with a pulling force), will not be able to be released (disconnected) from the handle.

The locking device may also be arranged on the grip section. The locking device may be arranged in a recess provided in the grip section and arranged in a substantially vertical direction. The locking device may be arranged ascending from the locking device lower end towards the locking device upper end. The pulling direction of the hand strap will be downwards, such that in use, the locking head of the buckle will be retained in the recess of the locking device. Only when the pulling force ceases, the buckle can be opened by pulling the puller.

For easy connection and releasing between the buckle and the locking device, one or more magnets may be provided. Since the magnet gives off an external magnetic field and applies a force over a distance on other magnets or magnetic materials, one or more magnets may be provided on each of the buckles and/or the locking device in order to obtain attraction force between the buckle and the locking device.

In aspect, the buckle and/or the locking device may comprise one or more magnets for magnetic attraction and coupling of the buckle into the locking device.

The magnets may be located at the first distance of the buckle and/or at the second distance of the locking device. The magnets provide a magnetic force for quick and easy coupling of the buckle to the locking device.

Thus, the attraction between the magnets may pull the locking head of the buckle into the recess of the locking device and the buckle may be locked and retained by the first edge abutting the second edge.

The first distance and the second distance may each comprise a magnet for attraction and quick (automatic) coupling of the buckle to the locking device. The force applied by the magnet pulls the locking head through the opening of the recess and into the recess of the locking device, and such that the first edge of the locking device abuts the second edge of the buckle, thereby automatically locking the buckle onto the locking device. The buckle while situated in the recess is prevented from moving in any direction, due to the shape of the recess, the upper barrier and the second edge. The buckle may only be released by lifting the buckle upper end such that the first and second edge no longer abuts, and the locking head and the buckle can be released.

The description above, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:.

<FIG> shows a pole connection system according to the present invention, for releasably connecting a hand strap <NUM> to a handle <NUM> of the pole <NUM>. The system comprises a locking device <NUM> and a buckle <NUM>, wherein the locking device <NUM> is adapted to receive the buckle <NUM> for locking the buckle <NUM> and connecting the hand strap <NUM> to the handle <NUM> of the pole <NUM>.

The locking device <NUM> comprises a locking device lower end <NUM>, a locking device upper end <NUM>, a recess <NUM> and a first edge <NUM>. The recess <NUM> is located at the locking device lower end <NUM> and the first edge <NUM> is located with a first distance <NUM> between the locking device lower end <NUM> and the locking device upper end <NUM>. The recess <NUM> has an opening facing the first edge <NUM>. The opening defines the entrance and exit of the cooperating locking head <NUM> of the buckle <NUM>, into the recess <NUM> of the locking device <NUM>.

The buckle <NUM> or the retainer <NUM>, comprises a buckle lower end <NUM>, a buckle upper end <NUM>, a locking head <NUM> and a second edge <NUM>. The locking head <NUM> is located at the buckle lower end <NUM> and the second edge <NUM> is located with a second distance <NUM> between the buckle lower end <NUM> and the buckle upper end <NUM>.

The buckle <NUM> is locked to the locking device <NUM> when the locking head <NUM> of the buckle <NUM> is retained in the recess <NUM> of the locking device <NUM>. The locking head <NUM> being retained in the recess <NUM> by the second edge <NUM> of the buckle abutting the first edge <NUM> of the locking device <NUM>.

The buckle <NUM> may be connected to the hand strap <NUM> at a buckle lower end <NUM>. The connection point of the hand strap <NUM> onto the buckle <NUM> defines the pulling direction of the buckle <NUM> when the hand strap <NUM> is in use. The buckle <NUM> may comprise a brace <NUM> or tongue <NUM> at said connection point for stiffening the connection point between the strap <NUM> and the buckle <NUM>.

The locking head <NUM> of the buckle <NUM> is adapted to be inserted into the recess <NUM> of the locking device <NUM>, through the opening of the recess <NUM> and wherein the locking head <NUM> is retained in the recess <NUM> by the first edge <NUM> abutting the second edge <NUM>. The only way to extract the locking head <NUM> from the recess <NUM> is by moving the buckle <NUM> in the direction of the second edge <NUM>. This is only possible when the second edge <NUM> of the buckle <NUM> is not abutting the first edge <NUM> of the locking device <NUM>.

The <FIG> shows the locking head <NUM> having a rounded arc shape to fit into the rounded arc shape of the recess <NUM>. Different shapes of the locking head <NUM> and the cooperating recess <NUM> may be appropriate, such as; pointed shape, arch shape, angular shape, etc..

The recess <NUM> of the locking device <NUM> may comprise an upper barrier <NUM> arranged such that it overlaps at least a section of the locking head <NUM>, such that it prevents the locking head <NUM> and the buckle <NUM> to be lifted vertically out from the recess <NUM>. Thus, the locking head <NUM> may only be entering or exiting the recess <NUM> through the opening in the main direction from or towards the first edge. For example, the only way to release the locking head <NUM> is to move it through the opening of the recess <NUM> in the direction of the first edge <NUM>. This is possible only when the second edge <NUM> of the buckle is moved relative to the first edge <NUM> and such that they are no longer abutting.

For releasing the buckle <NUM> from the locking device <NUM>, a puller <NUM> is arranged at the upper end <NUM> of the buckle <NUM>. The puller <NUM> may be a lever as shown in <FIG>. The puller <NUM> may also be a strap connected to the upper end <NUM> of the buckle (as illustrated in <FIG>). The puller may be fixed or removably attached to the buckle, and it can be made of any material such as plastic, nylon, rubber, fabric, composite or metal.

The puller <NUM> may be arranged such that the user can apply a pulling force (or pushing force) to the puller <NUM> such that the buckle upper end <NUM> is lifted, and thereby lifting the second edge <NUM> from its engagement with the first edge <NUM>.

The grip or handle <NUM> of the pole <NUM> may comprise a handle body with a top section <NUM> and a grip section <NUM>. The handle body may be a longitudinal tubular section and the top section <NUM> arranged on top of the longitudinal section.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the locking device <NUM> may be arranged on the top section <NUM>. The top section <NUM> may be substantially horizontal, or the top section <NUM> may be arranged with an angle relative to a horizontal plane of the top section <NUM>.

The locking device <NUM> may be arranged such that the locking device lower end <NUM> is ascending towards the locking device upper end <NUM>. This arrangement allows the locking head <NUM> to be pulled further into and retained in the recess <NUM> in the pulling direction of the hand strap <NUM> when the pole <NUM> is in use. This is preferable, since the hand strap <NUM> while in use (with a pulling force), cannot be disconnected from the handle <NUM>, because the locking head <NUM> can only be released in the opposite direction of the pulling direction.

The locking device <NUM> may be arranged at any location on the grip section <NUM> of the handle <NUM>. The locking device <NUM> may also be arranged in any angle relative to the pole <NUM>, to the grip section <NUM> or to the handle <NUM>.

The locking device may be arranged on the grip section <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The locking device <NUM> may be arranged in a recess provided in the grip section <NUM> and arranged in a substantially vertical direction, or substantially parallel to the pole <NUM>. The locking device <NUM> may be arranged ascending from the locking device lower end <NUM> towards the locking device upper end <NUM>. The pulling direction of the hand strap <NUM> will be downwards, such that in use, the locking head <NUM> of the buckle <NUM> will be retained in the recess <NUM> of the locking device <NUM>. Only when the pulling force ceases, the buckle <NUM> can be opened by operating the puller <NUM> such that the abutment of the first and second edges <NUM>,<NUM> ceases.

For easy connecting and releasing the buckle <NUM> to/from the locking device <NUM>, one or more magnets <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided. One or more magnets <NUM>,<NUM> may be provided on each of the buckle <NUM> and/or the locking device <NUM> in order to obtain attraction between the buckle <NUM> and the locking device <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A ski or walking pole (<NUM>) connection system for releasably connecting a hand strap (<NUM>) to a handle (<NUM>) of the pole (<NUM>), wherein the system comprises a buckle (<NUM>) connected to the hand strap (<NUM>), and a locking device (<NUM>) connected to the handle (<NUM>), wherein the locking device (<NUM>) is adapted to receive the buckle (<NUM>) for locking the buckle (<NUM>) and connecting the hand strap (<NUM>) to the handle (<NUM>) of the pole (<NUM>);
- the locking device (<NUM>) comprises a locking device lower end (<NUM>), a locking device upper end (<NUM>), a recess (<NUM>) and a first edge (<NUM>), wherein the recess (<NUM>) is located at the locking device lower end (<NUM>) and the first edge (<NUM>) is located at a first distance (<NUM>) between the locking device lower end (<NUM>) and the locking device upper end (<NUM>), the recess (<NUM>) having an opening facing the first edge (<NUM>),
- the buckle (<NUM>) comprises a buckle lower end (<NUM>), a buckle upper end (<NUM>), a locking head (<NUM>) and a second edge (<NUM>), wherein the locking head (<NUM>) is located at the buckle lower end (<NUM>) and the second edge (<NUM>) is located with a second distance (<NUM>) between the buckle lower end (<NUM>) and the buckle upper end (<NUM>), and wherein the locking head (<NUM>) is adapted to be inserted into the recess (<NUM>) through the opening and the buckle (<NUM>) is locked by the first edge (<NUM>) abutting the second edge (<NUM>),
wherein the buckle (<NUM>) comprises a puller (<NUM>) for release of the buckle (<NUM>) from the locking device (<NUM>), the puller (<NUM>) is connected to the buckle (<NUM>) adjacent the buckle upper end (<NUM>), the puller (<NUM>) is configured to lift the second edge (<NUM>) such that the first and second edge (<NUM>,<NUM>) are no longer abutting, and the locking head (<NUM>) is released from the recess (<NUM>).