HANDLE FOR AN OAR SHAFT TYPE SHAFT AND OAR WITH SUCH A HANDLE

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a handle for a shaft, of the type of oar handle.

[0002] The invention also relates to a pair of handles, namely a port handle and a starboard handle, for a port oar and a starboard oar respectively.

[0003] Finally, the invention relates to an oar comprising a shaft into which such a handle is fitted.

[0004] Rowing is a speed and gliding sport in a longboat. The rower sits above the waterline on a wheeled seat, facing away from the direction of travel. Oars are used to propel the boat. Depending on the type of boat, the rower uses: a single oar called a sweep oar (total length of 3.5 m to 4 m) or two oars called a pair (approximately 3 m long each), called port oar and starboard oar. Technical background

[0005] We are familiar with the sculling oar, which consists of a shaft with one end attached to a blade for use in the water, and the other end attached to a handle for better grip on the oar. The shaft is generally tubular and hollow.

[0006] This handle is fitted around the second end of the handle and tightened to the handle via a screw clamp.

[0007] Optionally, a plastic wedge may be inserted tightly into the second end of the shaft, featuring an internal thread into which a screw is inserted. The handle is then fitted around this second end of the shaft until the screw is flush against the bottom of the handle. The depth of the handle's insertion onto the shaft is adjusted by changing the depth of the screw's insertion. This allows the overall length of the oar to be adjusted to suit the rower's size. A hole is provided in the bottom of the handle to access the screw with a screwdriver when the handle is mounted on the shaft. It is then necessary to loosen the clamp to adjust the screw's insertion depth and move the handle accordingly, before tightening the clamp.

[0008] The disadvantage with this pair oar is that you need a tool to be able to adjust the size of the oar.

[0009] Another drawback is that the threads in the shim are often damaged, causing the screw to spin freely. Since the shim is not repairable, it is no longer possible to adjust the oar length without replacing it.

[0010] These oars, whose keel is damaged, are then unfortunately put aside and are no longer operational, even if the shaft and the blade are still in good condition.

[0011] Since changing handles between users is time-consuming, individualized use is currently impossible (one handle per oar).

[0012] Oar handles are also known from documents US2009089972A1, US5387143A, US3344684A. Summary of the invention

[0013] The present invention aims to overcome the various drawbacks mentioned above by providing a handle for a rowing shaft, similar to an oar handle, allowing it to be easily fitted around the shaft and held in place without tools by any rower. This handle allows for adjustment of the oar's length. This handle can also be used on older oars with damaged cleats, thus enabling their reuse.

[0014] The handle according to the invention is defined by the claims. It is comprised, among other things, in a conventional manner, of a hollow body extending longitudinally along an axis X and having: an outer wall for gripping; an inner wall defining a cylindrical cavity, said inner wall being able to come into contact with a handle and including distortion means for its mounting on the handle.

[0015] This handle is characterized primarily in that said distortion means consist of helical grooves made in the inner wall and extending from one end to the other (of the longitudinal extension) of the body, and the handle includes wedging means arranged inside the body against its second closed end.

[0016] The main idea behind this invention is to provide a handle that can be fitted onto the shaft by a general screwing motion. Specifically, the rower covers the free end of the shaft with the handle while rotating the shaft. Helical grooves facilitate the insertion of the shaft into the handle during rotation. These grooves tend to spread apart, widen, or expand during rotation, thus allowing the inner wall of the handle to deform during the screwing process. In practice, the raised areas located between the grooves can easily deform through torsion.

[0017] The grooves have a helical orientation corresponding to the helical movement of the screwing.

[0018] Once the handle is in place, the grooves tighten or retract to secure the oar. The handle is then tightened onto the shaft and held in position.

[0019] To remove the handle, simply unscrew it from the handle.

[0020] There is no possible translational movement during assembly, nor during the use of the oar, nor during disassembly.

[0021] This type of handle can be mounted on any type of oar, even those with a damaged cleat.

[0022] Depending on the different embodiments of the invention, which may be considered together or separately: The handle is flexible and deformable; the inner wall of the handle is flexible and deformable. The handle is made of a polymer material. The inner wall has at least 50% of its surface area in contact with the handle. The body has a first open end for attachment to a handle, and a second closed end. The outer wall has a geometry that replicates the imprint of a hand gripping the handle. The outer wall is polygonal; the outer wall has at least three facets that conform to the shape of a user's fingers; the second closed end of the handle has a central through hole, used as a vent.

[0023] The invention also relates to a pair of handles as described above. This pair comprises a first handle, referred to as the "port" handle, and a second handle, referred to as the "starboard" handle. The helical grooves of the port handle have a winding direction opposite to that of the helical grooves of the starboard handle.

[0024] Advantageously, the helical grooves of the port handle have a clockwise winding direction while the helical grooves of the starboard handle have a counterclockwise winding direction.

[0025] Indeed, when the rower holds both oars, they exert opposing forces on the two handles since the oars are positioned symmetrically on either side of the rower. The force exerted by the rower on each handle during the activity must be such that it encourages the handle to be pushed in; therefore, it must be in the direction of the handle's tightening motion to prevent it from loosening during the activity. The natural movement performed by the athlete when rowing is a gripping motion that tightens the handle onto the shaft.

[0026] Thus, the starboard handle, located to the right of the boat in relation to the direction of travel, which is held by the left hand of the rower, is screwed to the handle in a counterclockwise direction, and its helical grooves then have a counterclockwise winding direction.

[0027] The port handle, located on the left side of the boat relative to the direction of travel, which is held by the rower's right hand, is screwed to the handle clockwise, and its helical grooves then have a clockwise winding direction.

[0028] Finally, the invention relates to an oar comprising a shaft and a handle as described above, fitted to one end of said shaft by screwing.

[0029] Depending on the different embodiments of the invention, which may be considered together or separately: The said shimming means consist of a shim comprising a shimming section delimited by a first bearing surface against the end of the handle and a second bearing surface against the second closed end of the body. The shimming section has a diameter greater than the inside diameter of the handle; the shimming section has a diameter less than the inside diameter of the body measured at the bottom of a groove. The shim is cylindrical. The shim has a centering sleeve that fits inside the handle. The shim has an external shoulder between the sleeve and the shimming section. This shoulder corresponds to the first bearing surface of the shim. The external diameter of the shimming section is between the minimum inside diameter of the body measured at the surface in contact with the handle and the maximum inside diameter of the body measured at the bottom of a groove.The distance between the two bearing surfaces of the wedge defines the length of the wedge. The oar has air purging means consisting of a central through hole provided in said wedge and a central through hole provided in the second closed end of the body. The inner wall of the handle and the outer wall of the shaft have means for indexing each other in rotation. Said indexing means consist of two diametrically opposed longitudinal grooves provided in the inner wall of the handle and cooperating with two longitudinal projections provided for this purpose on the outer wall of the shaft. Brief description of the figures

[0030] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for an understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which: [ Fig.1 ] there [ Fig.1] is an exploded and perspective view of an oar end according to the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] there [ Fig. 2 ] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an oar end assembled according to the invention; [ Fig.3 ] there [ Fig.3 ] is a cross-sectional and perspective view of a port and starboard handle for sculling oars; [ Fig.4 ] there [ Fig.4 ] is another cross-sectional view of the port and starboard handles according to the [ Fig.3 ] ; ] Fig. 5 ] there [ Fig. 5 ] is a perspective view of the port and starboard handles according to the [ Fig.3 ] ; ] Fig. 6 ] there [ Fig. 6 ] is a side view of the port handle and the starboard handle according to the [ Fig.3 ] ; ] Fig.7 ] there [ Fig.7 ] is a perspective view of a port handle for a sweep oar; [ Fig.8 ] there [ Fig.8 ] is a side view of the port handle according to the [ Fig.7 ]. Detailed description of the invention

[0031] In the following description, elements with an identical structure or analogous functions will be designated by the same references.

[0032] There [ Fig.1 ] shows the end of an oar in exploded view, in this case the end of a shaft 3 and a handle 22.

[0033] There [ Fig. 2 ] illustrates these same elements once the assembly is complete.

[0034] The handle 3 of an oar classically corresponds to a hollow cylindrical tube, the first end of which is coupled to a blade (not shown) intended to be put in the water, and the second end 23 of which is coupled to a handle 22 for a better grip on the oar.

[0035] The handle 22 mainly comprises a hollow body 1, of which a first end 8 is open for its fitting around the handle 3, and of which the second end 7 is closed.

[0036] Optionally, the handle 22 has a wedge 2 positioned inside the body 1 and resting against the second end 7 of the shaft 3. It allows the total length of the oar to be extended according to the rower's needs.

[0037] Body 1 extends longitudinally along an X-axis, as shown on the [ Fig. 2 ]. This X axis also corresponds to the mounting axis of the handle 22 on the handle 3.

[0038] Body 1 presents: an outer wall 4 for gripping; an inner wall 5 defining a cylindrical cavity 6, said inner wall 5 being able to come into contact with the outer wall 15 of the handle 3.

[0039] The inner wall 5 of the body 1 includes distortion means for its mounting on the handle 3. These distortion means consist of helical grooves 10 made in the inner wall 5 and extending from one end to the other of the longitudinal extension of the body 1.

[0040] In other words, the inner wall 5 of the body 1 is hollowed out by these helical grooves 10. These grooves 10 allow the inner wall 5 to deform when the handle 22 is screwed onto the shaft 3.

[0041] Indeed, the handle 22 is mounted onto the handle 3 by a screwing, or helical, motion. The helical grooves 10 are oriented to follow the screwing motion of the handle 22, thus aiding in the screwing process. The inner diameter of the body 1 is very slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the handle 3 (a tight fit), and without these grooves 10, it would be difficult to successfully fit the body 1 around the handle 3 while simultaneously ensuring a tight fit of the body 1 around the handle 3 at the end of the assembly.

[0042] The helical grooves 10 allow the inner wall 5 of the body 1 to deform progressively during screwing.

[0043] More specifically, the inner wall 5 is cut into strips (or raised sections), each strip being delimited on either side by a groove 10. Thus, when the inner wall 5 of the body 1 rubs against the handle 3 during fitting, the strips can easily deform and tilt, encroaching on the free space created by the grooves 10. Thanks to this torsional deformation during screwing, the inner diameter of the body 1 (measured at the raised sections) can be slightly increased, making fitting possible. Once the body 1 is fully positioned on the handle 3, the inner diameter of the body 1 returns to its nominal value because the strips regain their initial shape and exert a clamping force against the outer wall 15 of the handle 3.

[0044] The helical grooves 10 create a sort of play that aids in assembly. The bands defined by the grooves 10 provide a means of adhesion to the handle 3 at the end of the assembly.

[0045] To remove body 1 from handle 3, simply turn body 1 in the opposite direction to unscrew it.

[0046] It is not possible to mount this body 1 onto the handle 3 by translation. Moreover, if translation were possible, it would mean that the internal diameter of the body 1 (measured at the raised parts) is too large, and there would then be no tightening at the end of assembly, which would be problematic because the handle 22 would constantly rotate or come loose during the use of the oar.

[0047] The inner wall 5 of the handle 22 is flexible and deformable, so that the grooves 10 can easily expand during screwing, and so that they can retract at the end of assembly so that the bands can ensure tightening on the handle 3.

[0048] More generally, the entire body 1 of the handle 22 is made of a soft and deformable material.

[0049] For example, handle 22 is made of a polymer material.

[0050] Handle 22 is obtained by molding or additive manufacturing.

[0051] Preferably, the inner wall 5 has at least 50% of its surface area in contact with the handle 3. This surface area corresponds to the aforementioned bands (i.e., the raised parts). The remaining 50% of the surface area corresponds to the bottoms of the grooves 10.

[0052] The percentage of surface area in contact with handle 3 is important to ensure tight clamping of handle 3 at the end of assembly. Similarly, the percentage of remaining surface area corresponding to the grooves 10 is important to provide sufficient clearance to allow for distortion of the bands during assembly and disassembly.

[0053] Thanks to the 10 internal grooves and the flexibility of the inner wall 5, it is possible to mount this handle 22 on a classic rowing handle 3 without tools.

[0054] In sculls rowing, each rower has two oars, one in each hand. The rowers are positioned with their backs to the direction of travel of the boat. Thus, each rower holds a starboard oar in their left hand and a port oar in their right. Therefore, when rowing, the rower exerts opposing forces on the oars. Specifically, they tend to perform a rotational / twisting motion of the handles they are holding. When this movement encourages the handle to tighten, there is no problem, and the handle 22 remains correctly positioned on the shaft 3. However, when the movement encourages the handle to loosen, there is a risk that the handle 22 will gradually unscrew during the row and come loose. To prevent such a situation from occurring, the present invention provides for the creation of a pair of handles, with a specific port handle 22a, and a specific starboard handle 22b.The difference between these two handles is characterized by the direction of winding of the helical grooves 10. Indeed, the helical grooves 10 of the port handle 22a have a direction of winding opposite to that of the helical grooves 10 of the starboard handle 22b.

[0055] More specifically, as illustrated on the figures 3 And 4 The 10 helical grooves of the port handle 22a have a clockwise winding direction, while the 10 helical grooves of the starboard handle 22b have a counterclockwise winding direction. The port handle 22a is shown on the left of the figures 3 And 4 , while the starboard handle 22b is illustrated on the right of the figures 3 And 4 .

[0056] Thus, the rower's movement will always favor the screwing of the handle, whether it is a port oar or a starboard oar because the handle 22 corresponds to the type of oar.

[0057] Whether it is a port handle 22a or a starboard handle 22b, the outer wall 4 of the handle 22 is classically cylindrical in shape.

[0058] Advantageously, the outer wall 4 of the handle 22 has a complex geometry that replicates the shape of a hand gripping the handle. This allows the rower to have a better grip on the handle.

[0059] For example, as illustrated on the Figures 5 And 6 The outer wall 4 can be polygonal and has at least three sides conforming to the shape of the three phalanges of a user's fingers. The rest of the outline can simply be rounded to conform to the shape of the metacarpals of the user's hand.

[0060] Optionally, on each panel 16, 17, 18 there may be a first zone 16a, 17a, 18a with a slight wave to place the index, middle, ring and little fingers, and a 2nd zone 16b, 17b, 18b in the vicinity of the closed end 7 to place the thumb.

[0061] In the same way as for the 10 helical grooves, the port and starboard handles are not identical but are symmetrical since they are arranged symmetrically with respect to the rower.

[0062] The port handle 22a is illustrated on the left of the Figures 5 And 6 , while the starboard handle 22b is illustrated on the right of the Figures 5 And 6 .

[0063] The panels 16, 17, 18 are oriented to the right for the port handle 22a of the [ Fig. 6 ], while they are oriented to the left for the starboard handle 22b of the [ Fig. 6 ].

[0064] Other handle shapes 22 could be considered within the framework of the present invention.

[0065] It is also possible to design a handle 22 whose external shape is customized by reproducing the scanned surface of the user's hand onto the handle. In this case, the handle 22 has a gripping surface molded to the user's hand shape. The handle 22 thus has a shape that complements the shape of the hand in action.

[0066] Advantageously, the inner wall 5 of the handle 22 and the outer wall 15 of the shaft 3 have means for indexing them rotationally relative to each other. It is important that the user can correctly orient the handle 22 relative to the shaft 3, and in particular relative to the oar located at the other end of the shaft 3. The oar must be in a specific position when the rower grasps the handle 22. This indexing between the handle 22 and the oar is crucial for ensuring optimal rowing efficiency.

[0067] More specifically, the said rotational indexing means consist of two diametrically opposed longitudinal grooves 11 provided in the inner wall 5 of the handle 22, particularly visible in figures 4 , and cooperating with two longitudinal outgrowths 12 provided for this purpose on the outer wall 15 of the handle 3, notably visible in [ Fig.1The grooves 11 and the protrusions 12 thus extend parallel to the X axis.

[0068] The grooves 11 intersect the helical grooves 10.

[0069] At the end of the assembly of the handle 22 onto the handle 3, the user turns the handle 22 until the protrusions 12 fit into the longitudinal grooves 11.

[0070] It is also possible to use a handle 22 according to the invention for a sweep row where the rower places their right hand on a starboard oar, or their left hand on a port oar. This is therefore the reverse of sculling.

[0071] In this case, the starboard 22b peak handle will have 10 reverse helical grooves compared to the starboard 22b coupler handle.

[0072] The 22a port bow handle will have 10 reverse helical grooves compared to the 22a port side handle.

[0073] The starboard and port bow handles 22 will also feature a reversal of the first zones 16a, 17a, 18a and second zones 16b, 17b, 18b on each face 16, 17, 18 of the outer wall 4, as the thumb will be oriented towards the open end 8 of the handle 22, and no longer towards the closed end 7 of the handle 22. An example of a port bow handle 22a is illustrated in figures 7 And 8 .

[0074] Whether it is a port or starboard oar, a sweep or a sculling oar, the handle 22 according to the invention includes means for wedging in order to increase the length of the oar according to the needs of the rower.

[0075] These shimming means consist of a shim 2 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 For example.

[0076] Preferably, wedge 2 is cylindrical.

[0077] The wedge 2 is located inside the body 1 of the handle 22. More precisely, it is interposed between the second closed end 7 of the body 1 and the handle 3.

[0078] In this example, the wedge 2 has a wedge section 13 delimited by a first support surface 19 against the free end 23 of the handle 3 and a second support surface 20 against the second closed end 7 of the body 1. The distance between these two support surfaces 19, 20 defines the length of the wedge 2. Thus, the length of the wedge section 13 increases the total length of the oar accordingly.

[0079] For each handle 22, it is possible to provide a set of shims 2 with different shim section lengths 13, so that the rower can choose the one that suits him best.

[0080] The shim section 13 has a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the handle 3 so that it can bear against the end 23 of the handle 3.

[0081] Furthermore, the diameter of the wedge section 13 is between the minimum internal diameter of the body 1 measured at the surface in contact with the handle 3 and the maximum internal diameter of the body 1 measured at the bottom of a groove 10. The wedge 2 is thus correctly held in the hollow body 1 of the handle 22.

[0082] The handle 22, fitted with its wedge 2, can be used on an oar whose old wedge is damaged. Indeed, it is perfectly possible to add the new wedge 2, which will then be placed between the old wedge 2 and the closed end 7 of the handle 22.

[0083] Thus, it will be possible to reuse oars whose old wedge is damaged.

[0084] For the new oars, it is possible to provide a shim 2 with a centering sleeve 21 that fits inside the handle 3 so as to center it relative to the handle 3 during assembly, as illustrated on the Figures 1 and 2 .

[0085] An external shoulder is formed between the sleeve 21 and said wedge section 13. This shoulder corresponds to said first bearing surface 19 of the wedge 2.

[0086] Advantageously, the oar has air purging means consisting of a central hole 14 through provided in said wedge 2 and a central hole 9 through provided in the second closed end 7 of the body 1. This avoids the appearance of overpressure at the bottom of the body 1 when mounting the handle 22, making fitting difficult.

[0087] The configurations shown in the cited figures are only possible examples, in no way limiting, of the invention which is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Handle (22) for a shaft (3), of the oar shaft type, comprising a hollow body (1) extending longitudinally along an axis X and having: - an outer wall (4) for handling; - an inner wall (5) defining a cylindrical cavity (6), said inner wall (5) being able to come into contact with a shaft (3) and comprising distortion means for mounting on the shaft (3), said distortion means consisting of helical grooves (10) made in the inner wall (5) and extending from one end to the other of the body (1), the handle characterized in that it comprises shimming means arranged inside the body (1) against its second closed end (7).

2. Handle (22) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the inner wall (5) is flexible and deformable.

3. Handle (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of a polymer material.

4. Handle (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner wall (5) has at least 50% of the surface in contact with the shaft (3).

5. Handle (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (1) has a first open end (8) for the press-fitting thereof with a shaft (3), and a second closed end (7).

6. Handle (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer wall (4) has a geometry taking the imprint of a hand squeezing the handle.

7. Pair of handles (22) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a first so-called "port" handle (22a) and a second so-called "starboard" handle (22b), characterized in that the helical grooves (10) of the port handle (22a) have a winding direction opposite that of the helical grooves (10) of the starboard handle (22b).

8. Pair according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the helical grooves (10) of the port handle (22a) have a clockwise winding direction while the helical grooves (10) of the starboard handle (22b) have a counterclockwise winding direction.

9. Oar comprising a shaft (3) and a handle (22) according to one of claims 1 to 6 press-fitted at one end (23) of said shaft (3) by screwing.

10. Oar according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said shimming means consist of a shim (2) comprising a shimming segment (13) delimited by a first bearing surface (19) against the end (23) of the shaft (3) and a second bearing surface (20) against the second closed end (7) of the body (1).

11. Oar according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said shimming segment (13) has a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the shaft (3) and less than the inner diameter of the body (1) measured at the bottom of a groove (10).

12. Oar according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it has air purging means consisting of a central through-hole (14) provided in said shim (2) and a central through-hole (9) provided in the second closed end (7) of the body (1).

13. Oar according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the inner wall (5) of the handle (22) and the outer wall (15) of the shaft (3) comprising indexing means rotating with respect to one another.

14. Oar according to the preceding claim, characterized is that said indexing means in rotation consist of two diametrically opposite longitudinal grooves (11) provided in the inner wall (5) of the handle (22) and cooperating with two longitudinal protrusions (12) provided for this purpose on the outer wall (15) of the shaft (3).