Ski pole
A titanium lattice structure in the ski pole enhances resistance to breaking and buckling, addressing the weaknesses of carbon fiber and aluminum poles while optimizing weight and cost.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CA3053878
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CA · CA
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2017-03-02
- Filing Date
- 2018-02-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-27
- Estimated Expiration
- 2038-02-09
AI Technical Summary
Existing ski poles made of carbon fibers or aluminum are vulnerable to breaking under lateral forces and bending, while titanium offers high strength and low density but is expensive, necessitating a cost-effective and structurally efficient design.
A ski pole design incorporating a titanium lattice or grid structure, particularly in the lower part, combined with conventional materials, to enhance resistance against breaking and buckling, using methods like casting or 3D printing.
The titanium lattice structure provides enhanced resistance to breaking and buckling while maintaining a lightweight design, optimizing material usage and reducing material costs.
Abstract
Description
SKI POLE FIELD The present invention relates to a ski pole where at least some parts are made of titanium. BACKGROUND Ski poles need to be light and have a high resistance against breaking. Traditional ski poles were made of bamboo but modern ski poles are now mostly made in a composite material, especially in the more expensive segment. These are constructed so as to have its highest strength in the longitudinal direction. But the nature of carbon fibres makes them vulnerable to breaking when they are exposed to lateral forces. Ski poles have also been made from aluminium that is a light material but are more prone to bending. Using a metal increases resistance against breakage as compared to carbon fibres. But to achieve an optimal weight it is important to use as little material as possible. Titanium is a material that has high strength but low density. It has for example 60 % higher density than aluminium and twice the strength. Titanium also exhibits high resistance against breaking. US Patent No. 5 320 386 discloses a ski pole made of titanium with an additional material to increase its stiffness. SUMMARY The object of the invention is to provide a ski pole that is as light as the present ski poles but is more resistant against breaking or buckling. This is achieved by making at least a part of the pole as a lattice or grid in titanium. In one aspect of the invention the lattice is formed as a grid. Preferably the length of the titanium part is between a third and a half of the length of the pole. Experience has shown that it is the lower part of the pole that is mostly in danger of breaking or buckling, either because of the high strain or because they get tangled in a competitors pole. Titanium is however a very expensive material and it is therefore preferable to use titanium only in the parts of the pole most prone to strain. When the pole is not totally made in titanium it can be connected to the other part of the pole by glue or the other part can be threaded into the titanium part. In one aspect of the invention the titanium part is cast. In another aspect of the invention the titanium part is produced using 3D printing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail, referring to the enclosed drawings where Fig. 1 shows a ski pole according to the invention, and Fig. 2 shows the detail of a titanium part of the ski pole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In fig. 1 there is shown a ski pole 1 comprising an upper part 2, a middle part 3 and a lower part 4. The middle part 3 is made of titanium and is formed as a lattice or grid as shown in fig. 2. This enables good properties as regards to withstanding forces in three dimensions, especially when material weight is an important factor. As shown the titanium part is cylindrical but can also have other forms, for example hexagonal or octagonal. The upper part of the pole may be a conventional material such as carbon fibres or aluminium. The part 2 is shaped so that it can fit with the titanium part 3 (not shown). A lower segment of the upper part can for example be cylindrical and with a diameter that enables it to fit into the titanium part 3 using glue or press fit. Other alternative attachment method known to those skilled in the art may also be used. The lower part 4 is shaped with a point or similar to enable a good contact with the snow, as is well known in the art. The upper segment of the lower part 4 may, as for the upper segment, be cylindrical and in the same way pushed into or glued to the titanium part. The titanium part may be manufactured using casting or 3D printing. It is of special note that the part is designed to be as resistant to buckling as possible.
Claims
1. A ski pole comprising: a pole comprising an upper part, a middle part, and a lower part, wherein the middle part comprises titanium and is formed solely as a hollow see-through lattice or grid, and wherein the lower part is configured to enable contact with snow.
2. The ski pole according to claim 1, wherein the upper part is formed of a material other than titanium.
3. The ski pole according to claim 2, wherein the upper part is formed from carbon fiber or aluminium.
4. The ski pole according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the middle part makes up between a third and a half of a length of the pole.
5. The ski pole according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the middle part is attached to the upper part using a press fit.
6. The ski pole according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the middle part is attached to the upper part with glue.
7. A method of making the ski pole according to any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising forming the pole by 3D printing.
8. A method of making the ski pole according to any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising forming the pole by casting.