FALTSTOCK

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of poles for hiking, Nordic walking, but also in the broadest sense for other sports such as cross-country or alpine skiing, mountaineering, etc. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Pole designs with adjustable length are known, particularly but not exclusively, from the field of hiking or Nordic walking. This adjustability can be used, on the one hand, to adjust the length of the pole to suit individual needs, and, on the other hand, to reduce the pole to as small a pack size as possible, i.e., to make the length so small that the pole can be stowed in a backpack or similar item. Such designs, in which so-called inner tubes with a small diameter are slidably mounted within an outer tube with a slightly larger diameter, and in which the relative position of the tube sections can be determined by a locking mechanism, are known, for example, from DE 297 06 849, DE 497 08 829, or EP 1 450 906.

[0003] When using such constructions, it is essential that the individual pipe sections have different diameters and, in order to achieve the small packing dimensions, it must also be ensured that the pipes can actually be moved into each other as far as possible.

[0004] This can result in the pole becoming very thin, especially in the lower section where the thinnest tube is typically located, and thus no longer providing sufficient inherent rigidity for some applications. Furthermore, the designs disclosed in the above-mentioned documents are often not particularly well-received by users, as the relative position of the individual pole sections must be ensured by twisting these sections relative to each other, which requires corresponding manually applied torque.

[0005] Alternative mechanisms in which the relative fixing of the axial position of different movable tube sections is not realized by an internal locking mechanism are known, for example, from WO 2010 / 085905, or also from DE 694 01 765 or EP 1 217 224 or EP 098 898. However, these external constructions are often not suitable for slidably mounting more than two pole tubes within one another, which then also does not result in a sufficiently small packing size.

[0006] There are so-called folding poles, known for example from WO 2012 / 104424, in which individual pole segments are connected via plug-in connections. The pole segments can then have essentially the same diameter, and the pole segments are connected to each other via a tension cable. After plugging the individual pole segments together, the segments are rigidly connected to each other in the axial direction by applying tension to this tension cable. The problem with these designs is that the flexible tension cable must connect the individual pole segments and run through them. This makes such designs difficult to manufacture and service, and they are also difficult to customize to meet different customer requirements.

[0007] An improvement in this regard is described in WO 2021 / 156220, namely a folding stick with four or five pipe sections which are connected to one another in the assembled state via plug-in connections, and at least two or three pipe sections are connected to one another in the folded state only via a movable connecting element. The folding stick is characterized in that a conical end pin with an axial through-opening is detachably inserted, e.g. screwed, into the pin area of ​​the plug-in connections and this to the following pipe section, and wherein each of these conical end pins has an axial slot through which the traction cable can be inserted into the through-opening in the radial direction. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The problem with such folding sticks is that the pull rope used to connect the individual tube sections, which are connected via a simple plug-in connection, can become damaged with intensive use. This becomes problematic when the surface of the pull rope is no longer smooth, as the stick can then no longer be fixed easily or only with great force.

[0009] One solution may be to provide a traction cable with a sheath over its entire length, but this solution is expensive, ecologically questionable and also difficult to install, since the corresponding sheath must either be removed where the traction cable needs to be attached or the attachment must be carried out taking the sheath into account, which is complex and difficult.

[0010] The present invention takes a surprisingly simple and very efficient completely different approach. Specifically, a protective sheath is provided, but only in the area around the traction cable where required, i.e. around that area of ​​the traction cable that is exposed and curved when folded. To achieve this, it must be ensured that the protective sheath does not impede the axial mobility of the traction cable, as otherwise the pole cannot be fixed in the assembled position. On the other hand, it must be ensured that the protective sheath cannot be moved within the pole, as otherwise it could be moved out of the area around the traction cable where it is required.Accordingly, the core idea of ​​the present invention is to provide means for the plug connections that enable simple assembly and make it possible to attach the protective sheath therein in a manner that nevertheless allows for repair and sustainable replacement.

[0011] Specifically, the present invention relates to a folding walking stick with at least three tube sections. When the folding walking stick is assembled, the tube sections are connected to one another via plug-in connections aligned along the stick axis. When folded, at least two or at least three tube sections are connected to one another only via a movable connecting element in the form of a pull cord. Typically, a walking stick handle is arranged on the uppermost tube section, and a walking stick tip is arranged on the lowermost tube section.

[0012] At least one of the plug-in connections is implemented via a locking mechanism in the form of an external clamping mechanism and / or a positive locking device. The locking mechanism is attached to a first pipe section, and a second pipe section, which has a smaller or almost identical outer diameter to the inner diameter of the first pipe section and is slidably mounted within the first pipe section, can thus be fixed in the relative axial position by the locking mechanism.

[0013] At least one further plug-in connection is designed as a pure plug-in connection, in which pipe sections are fixed in one axial direction only when plugged together. At least the pipe sections participating in the pure plug-in connections are connected to one another via at least the tension cable, which is usually attached to the lowest pipe section and is attached to an upper or uppermost pipe section and is arranged to extend through the interior of at least the pipe sections participating in the pure plug-in connections.

[0014] The folding stick is now designed in such a way that it can be converted from the folded state into the assembled state by plugging the further plug-in connection(s) together and then, with the lock released, pulling the second tube section out of the first tube section until the pull cable is under tension and by fixing the lock.

[0015] The at least one further plug connection is designed such that it has a guide pin on one pipe section, which is provided with an axially extending central through-opening for the traction cable. The guide pin is firmly fixed in this pipe section by a fastening section and has a pin region axially opposite it, which is exposed in the folded state and can be inserted into the other pipe section. The fastening section and pin region both have a through-opening for the traction cable.

[0016] In addition, a terminal pin with an axial through-opening for the traction cable is preferably detachably inserted into the pin area and connecting it to the following pipe section, and this terminal pin has an axial slot through which the traction cable can be inserted into the axial through-opening in the radial direction.

[0017] According to the invention, the construction is characterized in that, in at least one pure plug-in connection, a tubular protective sheath is provided around the traction cable, which is held in a form-fitting manner in or on the end pin. The through-opening in the protective sheath for the traction cable has such a large inner diameter that the traction cable is provided so as to slide freely within the protective sheath, i.e., the traction cable's axial mobility is essentially unhindered by the protective sheath.

[0018] A first preferred embodiment of this design is characterized in that, in the assembled state, the protective sheath does not extend with its free end to the end of the following pipe section into which the pin portion is inserted, preferably extending no more than two-thirds of the length of the following pipe section, particularly preferably no more than half or one-third into the following pipe section. In other words, with several pure plug-in connections, there are also several such protective sheaths, one per plug-in connection.

[0019] The protective sheath preferably has means for establishing the positive connection. These can be designed such that the protective sheath has at least one radially outwardly projecting, preferably partially or completely circumferential, extension at its end facing the end pin for positive connection with the end pin.

[0020] At least one recess or groove, preferably a circumferential groove, can be provided in the axial through-opening of the end pin, into which such an extension engages, wherein the extension is preferably arranged at the end of the protective casing facing the end pin.

[0021] Preferably, it is a circumferential groove in the preferably longitudinally halved end pin with a radial depth in the range of 0.5-3 mm, preferably 1-2 mm and / or an axial width in the range of 0.5-4 mm, preferably in the range of 1-3 mm, which is preferably designed as a rectangular groove or as a groove with a rounded cutting contour.

[0022] According to a further preferred embodiment, the extension has a radial length protruding beyond the cylindrical outer surface of the protective sheath in the range of 0.5-3 mm, preferably in the range of 1-2 mm.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the protective casing preferably has two radial extensions spaced apart in the axial direction, in which the distance between the facing radial surfaces preferably corresponds substantially to the axial length of the end pin, so that these radial surfaces come into contact with the radial end surfaces of the end pin. In this embodiment, the two extensions essentially enclose the end pin from both axial sides, thus providing a positive connection.

[0024] The surface of the extension facing the following pipe section is preferably designed as a conical extension which extends from the cylindrical outer circumference to the maximum radial length of this extension.

[0025] According to a further preferred embodiment, the protective sheath has an axial through-opening whose inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the traction cable, wherein the protective sheath preferably has an inner diameter in the range of 0.75-3 mm, preferably in the range of 1-2.5 mm, in particular in the range of 1.25-2 mm, and the traction cable has an outer diameter in the range of 0.3-2.5 mm, preferably in the range of 0.5-1 mm.

[0026] The protective sheath is typically made of a soft thermoplastic material, preferably produced by an extrusion process or injection molding process, and wherein the material is preferably PU or silicone or a plasticized thermoplastic PVC or cross-linked or non-cross-linked thermoplastic elastomer, preferably selected from the following group: silicone, thermoplastic polyamide elastomer, thermoplastic copolyester elastomer, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic styrene block copolymer, in particular SBS, SEBS, SEEPS or MBS, wherein the material of the protective sheath is preferably transparent or translucent so that the underlying traction cable can be seen. It is preferably a PVC hose. It is preferably a flexible but low-stretch traction cable with a thickness in the range of 0.5-1.5 mm, e.g.made of braided UHMW-PE fibers obtained by gel extrusion spinning, molded or coated with a thermoplastic resin.

[0027] The traction rope is typically made of a flexible, longitudinally tensile and non-elastic material.

[0028] The flexible but low-stretch traction rope is constructed, for example, from low-stretch plastic fibers such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE or PE-UHMW or high-modulus polyethylene = HMPE), m- or p-aramid, or similar, monofilament and / or braided and / or sheathed. A sheathed wire rope is also possible. The traction rope preferably has a thickness of 0.25-6 mm, preferably 0.4-3 mm, and particularly preferably 0.5-2 mm. To ensure the tear strength of the traction rope, multifilaments made of several parallel arranged monofilaments, e.g. made of polyethylene with an ultra-high molecular mass (Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene = UHMWPE or PE-UHMW or high-modulus polyethylene = HMPE) are preferred, if necessary cast into a carrier material, or multifilaments made of several braided monofilaments, e.g. made of polyethylene with an ultra-high molecular mass (Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene = UHMWPE orPE-UHMW or high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE), if necessary, cast individually and / or as a mesh into a carrier material. Chain-like tension cables are also possible. This loosely connects the individual pipe sections to the two upper, nested pipe sections in this position, which is advantageous for transport and prevents the individual parts from getting lost.

[0029] The clamping mechanism can be attached to a first pipe section, and a second pipe section, which has a smaller or almost the same outer diameter as the inner diameter of the first pipe section and is slidably mounted in the first pipe section, can be fixed in the relative axial position by the external clamping mechanism. The positive locking device can be implemented on a second pipe section, wherein the second pipe section has a smaller or almost the same outer diameter as the inner diameter of a first pipe section, can be inserted into the first pipe section, and can be fixed in the relative axial position by the positive locking device.

[0030] Preferably, a terminal pin with an axial through-opening is detachably screwed, pressed and / or latched into the pin area and this to the following pipe section, preferably via latching elements or a bayonet lock.

[0031] It is, for example, a folding stick with at least four or at least five tube sections, and at least three tube sections are connected to one another in the folded state only via a movable connecting element and can be connected via the further plug connections, and in the pin area and this to the following tube section, a closing pin with an axial through-opening is detachably inserted, preferably screwed in, and each of these closing pins has an axial slot through which the traction cable can be introduced into the through-opening in the radial direction.

[0032] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the two or three lowest pipe sections are connected to one another via the said pure plug connections, and that the subsequent or the uppermost of the three pipe sections has a terminal pin at its upper end, and the traction cable is fastened in this uppermost terminal pin.

[0033] Furthermore, the proposed folding stick can be characterized in that there is a further tube section above the first tube section, into which the first tube section can be inserted and can be fixed axially and preferably continuously in different positions by an external clamping mechanism, and that preferably the first tube section is connected to this further tube section by a further pull cable, so that when the external clamping mechanism is released, the first tube section cannot be pulled out of the further tube section beyond a defined end position, wherein preferably the further pull cable is detachably attached to the upper end of the further tube section or to a handle attached thereto, preferably in a rotation-free manner, wherein preferably the attachment of the further pull cable can be released by, if necessary after removing a cover of the handle,the attachment of this additional traction cable is released from the outside in a non-destructive manner, for example via a hook connection.

[0034] Preferably, the end pin is formed in one piece.

[0035] Either the end pin has an axial slot which is predetermined in width but preferably expandable against a restoring force, through which the traction cable with protective sheath can be inserted into the through opening in the radial direction and the protective sheath can be positively fastened to the end pin.

[0036] Alternatively, the end plug is formed from two end plug halves. This is preferably a flexible, one-piece component consisting of two end plug halves connected, preferably via a film hinge, with the film hinge connecting the end plug halves only on one side of the through-opening.

[0037] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for assembling or repairing a folding stick as described above, which is preferably characterized in that it has at least one step in which the end pin and the opening of the slot are or are widened, the pull cable with the protective sheath pushed on is inserted into the through-opening and the end pin is closed again and in the process the positive connection between the end pin and the protective sheath is created, and the end pin is fastened in the pin area, wherein preferably in the case of several pure plug-in connections one protective sheath per plug-in connection is pushed around the same pull cable.

[0038] Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting. In the drawings: Fig. 1Views of a first embodiment, wherein in a) a view of the pole with five tube sections in the assembled state is shown, in b) a view of the pole in the folded state is shown, wherein the lower two tube sections are arranged loosely and only connected via the pull rope and the three upper tube sections are pushed into each other as far as possible and the upper two tube sections are fixed in their axial position relative to each other via the external clamping mechanism; in d) a detailed view according to Z in c) is shown, in e) an unfolded view of the guide pin and in f) a perspective view of the unfolded guide pin; Fig. 2the two essential steps of assembling the arrangement for the guide pin, wherein on the left an axial sectional view in a plane perpendicular to the paper plane of the representation of Fig. 1e) and on the right the corresponding view is shown, and in each case the traction cable is not shown; Fig. 3 the essential elements of a second embodiment, in which in a) a detailed view according to Z in Fig. 1 c) is shown, and in b) the two essential steps of assembling the arrangement at the guide pin, where on the left an axial sectional view in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the paper of the representation of Fig. 1e ) and on the right the corresponding view is shown, and in each case the traction cable is not shown; Fig. 4 the essential elements of a third embodiment, in which in a) a detailed view according to Z in Fig. 1 c) is shown, and in b) the two essential steps of assembling the arrangement at the guide pin, where on the left an axial sectional view in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the paper of the representation of Fig. 1e) and the corresponding view is shown on the right, and the pull rope is not shown in each case. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Fig. 1 shows views of a first embodiment of a folding stick 1, wherein in a) a view of the stick with five tube sections in the assembled state is shown, in b) a view of the stick in the folded state is shown, wherein the lower two tube sections are arranged loosely and are only connected via the pull rope and the three upper tube sections are pushed into one another as far as possible and the uppermost two tube sections are fixed in their axial position relative to one another via the external clamping mechanism; in d) a detailed view according to Z in c) is shown, in e) an unfolded view of the guide pin and in f) a perspective view of the unfolded guide pin.

[0041] The folding stick 1 has five tube sections: a bottom tube section 9, to which a stick tip 23 with a tip element 24 is attached at the lower end, a middle tube section 8' following upwards, a second tube section 8 further following this, a first tube section 7, and an uppermost tube section 7', to whose upper end the stick handle 2 is attached. The stick handle 2, which is preferably designed as described in WO 2022 / 012964, typically has a handle head 57 closed by a cover 58. This is a handle head in which the loop can be adjusted to different lengths via a corresponding mechanism. The stick handle 2 has a grip area 6 below the handle head 57.

[0042] The lowest three pipe sections 8, 8', and 9 are connected to each other via plug-in connections. They each have the same diameter in the connection area, and each plug-in connection has a guide pin 17 on the lower pipe section. This is secured to the respective lower pipe section by a fastening area 17'. Above this, there is an actual pin area 49, the outer diameter of which essentially corresponds to the inner diameter of the next pipe section above. The guide pin has a through-hole through which a traction cable 16 passes, to which at least the pipe sections connected via the plug-in connections are connected.

[0043] The lowest plug connection on the lowest pipe section 9 is designed such that the traction cable 16 is fastened in the guide pin, specifically against the return of a spiral spring 39, which is terminated by a guide element or end element 41, so that the traction cable can be secured below with a crimp or, as shown here, with a knot. The fastening area 17' is typically glued or pressed into the pipe section and cannot be easily removed without being damaged. The actual pin area 49 is molded onto it. At the upper end of the pin area 49 there is a termination pin 18, which is detachably inserted into this pin area, typically via a screw connection, a bayonet connection, or a clamp connection. The termination pin 18 is described in detail below.A protective sheath 61 is attached to the end pin 18 with a form-fitting connection. This protective sheath has a through-opening through which the traction cable 16 can slide essentially frictionlessly. The protective sheath is designed as a short pipe section, for example, made of PU or silicone, and extends just far enough into the next pipe section above that, when folded, the entire exposed section of the traction cable 16 that is not located in the interior space 31 of the following pipe, as well as the first interior area in the following pipe, is covered. The upper pipe section has a pipe end sleeve 19, the contact surface 20 of which, when plugged together, comes into contact with a corresponding contact surface 22 either on a special element provided on the lower pipe 9 in the form of a pipe end sleeve 15, or on a flange of the end pin 18.It is also possible that the two pipes are butting up against each other at this point.

[0044] The plug connection between the further middle tube section 8' and the second tube section 8 is designed analogously, but here the traction cable runs freely through the plug connection. Here, too, there is a terminal pin 18, which is releasably inserted into the pin area 49 of the corresponding plug connection 17. Again, a protective sheath 61 is provided for this plug connection, the length of which is adjusted such that the free end 5 of the protective sheath 61 always lies in the interior 31 of the tube when the pole is folded, as shown in Figures b) and c). A tube end sleeve 15 is provided at the bottom of the second tube section 8, and this tube is now inserted into the first tube section 7.The outer diameter of the second pipe section 8 approximately corresponds to the inner diameter of the first pipe section 7, and in order to tension the cable 16 when the pipe sections 8, 8', and 9 are plugged together, the second pipe section 8 is pulled out of the first pipe section 7 to the maximum extent. A locking device is provided at the lower end of the first pipe section 7, as described, for example, in WO 2018 / 224417.

[0045] This locking device has a spring-loaded rocker 43 which has a radially extending edge at its lower end which, when the tube 8 is pulled out of the tube 7 to the maximum extent, engages in a circumferential groove 69 in a terminal pin 34.

[0046] The uppermost pipe section 7' ​​has the largest inner diameter, and the first pipe section 7 is inserted into this uppermost pipe section 7'. The axial relative position of these two pipe sections can be fixed by an external clamping mechanism 7. This is preferably a construction as described in WO 2015 / 044012.

[0047] In this clamping mechanism there is a clamping lever 11 which acts via a substantially axially extending axis on a clamping axis 12 running perpendicular to the pole axis 32, an eccentric on the clamping lever lies on a washer which is provided in a projection in the slotted clamping area 14 below a circumferential holding area 13.

[0048] The traction cable 16 is fastened in the first tube section 7, at the lower end of which the locking device 50 is provided, at the upper end, namely to an upper fastening pin 27 which has a central through-opening 28 and above it an enlarged area 29, in which enlarged area a knot 30 or a crimp is provided in order to fasten the cable there.

[0049] The end plug 18 consists of two end plug halves 96. The two halves are connected in one piece via a film hinge 93. The conical end plug halves 96 are essentially symmetrical and separated by a central axial imaginary separating surface. If the two halves 96 are folded onto one another around the film hinge 93, the axial through-opening 64 is formed, and the slot 63 is defined by a distance between the contact surfaces. When the conical end plug 18 is screwed into the plug area 49 via the external thread 68, the slot 63 is closed due to the contact surfaces.To ensure the most precise positioning of the two halves relative to each other, which is particularly important due to the external thread 68, positioning pins 94 and corresponding positioning recesses 95 (in the form of blind holes), which can also be designed as snap-in connections, can be provided in the contact surfaces, as shown here. Other positive and / or non-positive connections are also possible, but they must be detachable.

[0050] The film hinge 93 is arranged on the axial end face 97 only on one side, ie only on one side of the through opening 64 formed in the folded state, so that the axial slot 63 is released and the traction cable 16 can be inserted together with the protective sheath 61.

[0051] A circumferential groove 3 is now provided in the axial through-hole 64 at the end pin 18. A fastening extension 21, which is provided at the lower end of the protective sheath 61, engages into this circumferential groove 3. As a result, the protective sheath 61 is positively secured to the end pin 18 and cannot slip, even if the traction cable 16 is displaced within the protective sheath 61, possibly creating a certain amount of friction. Thus, the protective sheath 61 always remains in the position where it is needed.

[0052] Fig. 2shows the essential steps of assembly, whereby the pull cable is not shown for clarity. In the first upper step, the end pin 18 is presented in an unfolded form. The protective sheath 61 is threaded onto the pull cable 16, or is already pre-assembled on the pull cable and is moved to the required position, and then both are inserted into the axial through-opening 64 such that the fastening extension 21 lies in the groove 3, and the outer surface 35 or its central region 40 of the protective sheath 61 rests against the inner surface of the axial through-opening 64. Subsequently, the part of the end pin 18 shown on the left in the figure is folded over according to the arrow shown top right until the contact surfaces of the two halves lie on top of one another and the positioning pins 94 engage in the positioning recesses 95.This end plug 18, with the form-fitting protective sheath 61 attached to it, can now be screwed into a corresponding internal thread in the plug area 49 using the external thread 68. Instead of such an external thread, the split end plug can also have two opposing, point-shaped protrusions that engage in two corresponding holes in the plug area, e.g., in the manner of a bayonet lock. The height of the point-shaped protrusions can also be slightly greater than the wall thickness of the plug area. The end plug can then also be made of a somewhat softer material so that it can be easily bent during insertion.

[0053] When positioned in the pin area, the bolts are elastically deformed and snap into the corresponding holes. The point-shaped protrusions thus also serve to dampen play and noise.

[0054] Fig. 3shows a further embodiment in which everything is essentially the same as in the first embodiment, the only difference being the protective sheath. This sheath has two additional radial extensions in the area intended for attachment to the end pin. In addition to the already described extension 21, which is intended to engage in the groove 3, there is a terminal edge extension 26 and a second edge extension 37 on the side facing the next pipe section. The first edge extension 26 and the second edge extension 37 are spaced axially just far enough to encompass the axial length of the end pin 18.In other words, the inner radially extending stop surface 26' of the first edge extension 26 comes into contact with surface 97 in the assembled state, and the inner radially extending stop surface 37' of the second edge extension 37 comes into contact with surface 4 of the end pin in the assembled state. This clamping ensures, in addition to the engagement of the extension 21 in the groove 3, a stable, positive-locking connection between the end pin 18 and the protective casing 61.

[0055] Fig. 4shows that, if the two edge extensions 26 and 37 are provided, the groove 35 and a corresponding fastening extension 21 can be dispensed with if necessary. Here, the positive connection between the end pin 18 and the protective casing 61 is realized without special measures in the design of the end pin 18; the protective casing 61 is ensured in a positive fit on the end pin 18 by the clamping of the end pin 18 between the first edge extension 26 and the second edge extension 37. A conical extension area 38 ensures that there is a smooth transition between the cylindrical outer surface 35 of the protective casing and the radially outermost area of ​​the second edge extension 37. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 folding stick 7 first pipe section 2 Stick handle 7' top pipe section, additional pipe section 3 circumferential groove in 64 4 Frontal area of ​​18 8 second pipe section 5 free end of 61 8' further middle pipe section 6 Grip range of 2 9 lower pipe section 29 extended range of 28 in the upper section of 27 10 external clamping mechanism 30 Knot at 16 11 clamping lever 31 Interior of the pipe 12 clamping axis 32 Stock axis 13 circumferential holding area of ​​10 33 washer 34 End cap 14 slotted clamping range of 10 35 Outdoor area of ​​61 36 axial through hole for 16 in 17 15 Pipe end sleeve 16 pull rope 37 second edge extension to stop at 4 17 Guide pin or plug connection 37' radial stop surface of 37 17' Mounting area of ​​17 in the lower tube with through hole 38 conical expansion area of ​​37 17" Tenon area with through hole 39 spiral spring 40 central area of ​​61 18 End cap 41 Guide element or 19 Pipe end sleeve End element for 39 20 Investment area from 19 to 22 42 tapered area of ​​17 / 18 21 Mounting extension of 61 to engage in 3 43 Seesaw of 50 22 contact surface 49 Tenon area of ​​17 23 Stick tip 50 locking device 24 Top element 57 Handle head 25 Stop surface of 18 58 Cover of 57 26 first edge extension to the stop at 97 61 protective sheath 63 axial slot in 18 26' radial stop surface of 26 64 axial through hole in 18 27 Mounting element or upper fastening pin for 16 68 External thread / circumferential ribs of 18 28 central passage opening in 27 for 16 69 circumferential groove in 34 93 film hinge 94 Positioning pin half 95 Positioning recesses 97 axial end face 96 Conical end pin

Claims

1. Folding stick (1) with at least three tube sections (7-9), wherein the tube sections (7-9) are connected to each other in an aligned manner via plug connections along the stick axis (32) when the folding stick (1) is assembled, and at least two, or at least three, tube sections (8, 8', 9) are connected to each other in the folded state only by means of a movable connecting element in the form of a pull cable (16), and wherein a walking stick handle (2) is arranged on an uppermost tube section (7, 7') and a walking stick tip (23) is arranged on a lowermost tube section (9), wherein at least one of the plug connections is realised by means of a lock in the form of an external clamping mechanism (10) and / or a form-fitting latching device (50), wherein the locking device is attached to a first tube section (7), and a second tube section (8), which has a smaller or approximately the same outer diameter as the inner diameter of the first tube section (7), and which is mounted in the first pipe section (7) in such a way that it can be displaced, can be fixed in the relative axial position by the locking mechanism, that at least one further plug connection is designed as a pure plug connection, in which pipe sections (8, 8', 9) are fixed in only one axial direction when plugged together, that at least the pipe sections (7-9) participating in the pure plug connections (7-9) are connected to each other via at least the pull cable (16), which is attached to the lowest pipe section (9) and is attached to an upper or the uppermost pipe section (7) and is arranged to run through the interior (31) of at least the pipe sections (8-9) participating in the pure plug connections, and that the folding stick (1) is designed in such a way that it can be converted from the folded state to the assembled state by connecting the additional plug connection(s), and then, with the lock released, the second pipe section (8) is pulled out of the first pipe section (7) until the pull cable (16) is under tension, and the lock is fixed in place, wherein the at least one further plug connection is / are designed such that it / they has / have a guide pin (17) on one pipe section, which is provided with an axially extending central through-opening (36) for the pull cable (16) and is fixedly attached to a fastening section (17') in this pipe section and, axially opposite, has a plug area (49, 17") which is exposed in the folded state and can be inserted into the other pipe section, wherein the fastening section (17') and the plug area (49, 17") have a through-opening for the pull cable (16), wherein an end plug (18) with an axial through-opening (64) is inserted into the plug area (49, 17") and connecting it to the following pipe section, and wherein this end plug (18) has an axial through-opening (64), and wherein this end plug (18) has an axial slot (63) through which the pull cable (16) can be inserted into the axial through-opening (64) in a radial direction characterised in that in the case of at least one pure plug connection, a tubular protective sheath (61) is provided around the pull cable (16), which is held in a form-fitting manner in or on the end plug (18), wherein the pull cable (16) is provided in a sliding manner in the protective sheath (61).

2. Folding stick (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that, when assembled, the protective sheath (61) does not extend with its free end (5) to the end of the following tube section into which the plug area (49, 17") is inserted, preferably extending at most two-thirds of the length of the following tube section, in particular preferably at most half or one-third of the following tube section.

3. Folding stick (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the protective sheath (61) has at least one radially outwardly projecting, preferably circumferential extension (21, 26, 37) at its end facing the end plug (18) for a form-fitting connection with the end plug (18).

4. Folding stick (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the axial through-opening (64) of the end plug (18) has at least one recess or groove (3), preferably a circumferential groove, into which the extension (21) engages, wherein the extension (21) is preferably arranged at the end of the protective sheath (61) facing the end plug (18).

5. Folding stick (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that it is a circumferential groove (3) with a depth in the range of 0.5-3 mm, preferably 1-2 mm and / or an axial width in the range of 0.5-4 mm, preferably in the range of 1-3 mm, which is preferably designed as a rectangular groove, and that the extension (21) has a radial length protruding beyond the cylindrical outer surface (35) of the protective sheath (61) in the range of 0.5-3 mm, preferably in the range of 1-2 mm.

6. Folding stick (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the protective sheath (61) has two radial extensions (26, 37) extending in the axial direction, in which the distance between the facing radial surfaces (26', 37') corresponds essentially to the axial length of the end plug (18), so that these radial surfaces (26', 37') come into contact with radial end surfaces (4, 97) of the end plug (18).

7. Folding stick (1) according to claim 6, wherein the surface (38) of the extension (37) facing the following pipe section is designed as a conical extension (38) which widens from the cylindrical outer circumference (35) to the maximum radial length of this extension (38).

8. Folding stick (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the protective sheath (61) has an axial through-opening whose internal diameter is greater than the external diameter of the pull cable (16), wherein the protective sheath (61) preferably has an internal diameter in the range of 0.75-3 mm, preferably in the range of 1-2.5 mm, in particular in the range of 1.25-2 mm, and the pull cable (16) has an outer diameter in the range of 0.3-2.5 mm, preferably in the range of 0.5-1 mm.

9. Folding stick (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the protective sheathing (61) consists of a thermoplastic material, preferably manufactured in an extrusion process or injection moulding process, and wherein the material is preferably a cross-linked or non-cross-linked thermoplastic elastomer selected from the following group: thermoplastic polyamide elastomer, thermoplastic copolyester elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer based on olefin, thermoplastic styrene block copolymer, in particular SBS, SEBS, SEEPS or MBS, wherein the material is preferably transparent or translucent and / or that the pull cable (16) consists of a flexible, longitudinally tensile and non-elastic material.

10. Folding stick (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the clamping mechanism (10) is attached to a first tube section (7), and a second tube section (8), which has a smaller or almost equal outer diameter to the inner diameter of the first tube section (7), and which is mounted in the first tube section (7) so as to be displaceable, can be fixed in the relative axial position by the external clamping mechanism (10), and wherein the positive locking device (50) is implemented on a second pipe section (8), wherein the second pipe section (8) has a smaller or approximately the same outer diameter as the inner diameter of a first pipe section (7), and can be inserted into the first pipe section (7) and fixed in the relative axial position by the positive locking device.

11. Folding stick (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a end plug (18) with an axial through-opening (64) is detachably screwed, pressed in and / or locked into the plug area (49, 17") and the subsequent pipe section, preferably via locking elements or a bayonet lock, and / or it is a folding stick (1) with at least four or at least five tube sections (7-9), and that at least three tube sections (8, 8', 9) are connected to each other in the folded state only by a movable connecting element (16) and can be connected via the other plug connections, and an end plug (18) with an axial through-opening (64) is detachably inserted, preferably screwed in, into the plug area (49, 17") and this to the following tube section (64), preferably screwed in, and each of these end plugs (18) has an axial slot (63) through which the pull cable (16) can be inserted into the through-opening (64) in a radial direction.

12. Folding stick (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the two or three lowest pipe sections (8, 8', 9) are connected to each other by means of the aforementioned pure plug connections, and that the subsequent or uppermost of the three tube sections (7) has an end plug (27) at its upper end, and the pull cable (16) is secured in this uppermost end plug (27).

13. Folding stick (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in th that there is a further tube section (7') above the first tube section (7), into which the first tube section (7) can be inserted and can be fixed axially in various positions without steps by means of an external clamping mechanism (10), and that, preferably, the first tube section (7) is connected to this further tube section (7') by a further pull cord, so that when the external clamping mechanism (10) is released, the first pipe section (7) cannot be pulled out of the further pipe section (7'), wherein the further pull rope is preferably detachably attached to the upper end of the further pipe section or to a handle attached thereto, preferably in a rotation-free manner, wherein the attachment of the further pull rope can preferably be released by, if necessary after removing a cover from the handle, the attachment of this further pull rope is released from the outside in a non-destructive manner, for example via a hook connection.

14. Folding stick (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the end plug (18) is formed in one piece, and either has an axial slot (64) of a predetermined width but preferably expandable against a restoring force (63) of predetermined width but preferably expandable against a restoring force, through which the pull cable (16) with protective sheathing (61) can be inserted into the through-opening (64) in the radial direction and the protective sheathing (61) can be fixed to the end plug (18) in a form-fitting manner, or as a flexible component has two end plug halves (96) connected preferably by a film hinge (93), wherein the film hinge (93) connects the end plug halves (96) only on one side of the through-opening (64).

15. Method for assembling or repairing a folding stick (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the method comprises at least one step in which the end plug (18) is or is expanded by opening the slot (63), the pull cable (16) with the protective sheath (61) pushed on is inserted into the through-opening (64) and the end plug (18) is closed again, thereby creating the form-fitting connection between the end plug (18) and the protective sheath (61), and the end plug (18) is fastened in the plug area (49, 17"), whereby, preferably in the case of several pure plug connections, individual protective sheaths (61) are pushed onto the same pull cable.