Handle unit for a pole, in particular a sports pole

Abstract

The present invention relates to a handle unit (10) for a stick, in particular a sports stick, comprising a loop unit (20) for attaching to a user's hand and a handle (30; 130) with a grip section (40; 140) for gripping the handle (30; 130) and a head section (50; 150) which has a receiving space (52; 152) for receiving the loop unit (20), so that the loop unit (20) and the handle (30; 130) can be connected to each other, wherein the head section (50; 150) comprises a predetermined guide contour (51; 151) for the loop unit (20) to the receiving space (52; 152), wherein the guide contour (51; 151) has a course in at least two different directions.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a handle unit for a stick, in particular a sports stick, comprising a loop unit for attaching to a user's hand and a handle with a grip section for grasping the handle and a head section which has a receiving space for receiving the loop unit, so that the loop unit and the handle can be connected to each other.

[0002] To create such a connection between the handle and the strap unit, a mechanism is known, for example, from EP 3 190 920 B1, which is provided at the head section of the walking stick handle. The head section of the walking stick handle has an elongated recess open at the top or accessible from above, into which the strap unit can be inserted linearly from above. At a certain point, locking means are provided for the strap unit so that it can be attached to the handle. These locking means are implemented by a locking pin spring-loaded with a pressure element in the form of a compression spring, which ensures that the strap unit can lock into the head section of the handle and is held there.

[0003] However, problems with such a mechanism lie in the fact that the majority of parts to be manufactured entail quite high production costs, and moving parts also do not contribute to the durability of the handle unit and represent a rather error-prone assembly, since only one defective component can cause the entire mechanism to fail.

[0004] Furthermore, such a pole is often designed as a ski pole, ski touring pole, or cross-country ski pole and is therefore used in sports practiced in conditions where the pole comes into contact with ice and snow. This presents another problem: the potential icing of the aforementioned moving parts, such as the locking pin and spring element. This can prevent the locking mechanism from functioning properly and the strap unit from being securely held on the pole handle.

[0005] Against this background, it was an object of the present invention to redesign a known handle unit for a stick, in particular a sports stick, in such a way that a complicated, error-prone mechanism, in particular with moving parts, can be dispensed with, so that the handle unit according to the invention is simple in design and cost-effective in manufacture and yet flawless function can be ensured.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the problem formulated above is solved by a handle unit for a stick, in particular a sports stick, comprising a loop unit for attaching to a user's hand and a handle with a grip section for grasping the handle and a head section which has a receiving space for receiving the loop unit, so that the loop unit and the handle can be connected to each other, wherein the head section further comprises an insertion channel for the loop unit into the receiving space, wherein the head section comprises a predetermined guide contour for the loop unit to the receiving space, wherein the guide contour has a progression in at least two different directions.in particular so that the loop unit can be inserted or threaded into the receiving space formed at the head section with a trajectory having at least two different movement direction components and thus be connected to the handle or the head section of the handle.

[0007] In this way, a relatively complex mechanism with moving parts for connecting the pole handle and strap unit can be replaced by a simpler design of this connection. The handle unit according to the invention is therefore cheaper to manufacture, more durable and less prone to defects, and the risk of icing and the associated malfunction of the connection between the pole handle and strap unit can be minimized.

[0008] In this context, the guide contour is understood as a guide surface along which a section of the loop unit slides when the loop unit is inserted or threaded into the receiving space. The guide contour can be located on a side wall of an insertion channel for the loop unit or simply on a freestanding extension projecting upwards from the head section. In other words, when connecting to the head section of the handle, the loop unit follows a path of movement with at least one, preferably two, changes of direction, so that one can also speak of a simplified, labyrinthine movement along the guide contour. The guide contour can also be referred to as a guide track, guide rail, or guide guide.

[0009] In particular, the handle unit can be intended for a sports pole, such as a ski pole, ski touring pole, hiking pole or Nordic walking pole, cross-country ski pole or the like, or can be used outside the sports sector.

[0010] Preferably, the guide contour can have an essentially S-shaped, mirrored S-shaped, Z-shaped, mirrored Z-shaped, Σ-shaped, or mirrored Σ-shaped profile. Such a guide contour shape provides a particularly secure hold of the loop unit on the head section of the handle. An S-shape and a Z-shape of the guide contour result in a movement path of the loop unit with two changes of direction when inserted into the receiving space, whereas a Σ-shape implies three changes of direction and thus offers an even more secure hold of the loop unit. In particular, in a pair of poles consisting of a left and a right pole, the course of the guide contour can be mirrored on the left and right poles when viewed from above on the head section of the handle.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the head section can further comprise an insertion channel for the loop unit into the receiving space, wherein the guide contour is formed on a guide surface of the insertion channel. A channel for guiding the loop unit provides an even more secure hold for the loop unit than a guide contour alone.

[0012] The insertion channel can also have a course in at least two different directions, which in turn allows a relatively complicated mechanism with moving parts for connecting the stick handle and the loop unit to be replaced by a simpler design of this connection, and makes the handle unit according to the invention with an insertion channel in the head section cheaper to manufacture, more durable or less prone to defects.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insertion channel can have a substantially S-shaped, mirrored S-shaped, Z-shaped, mirrored Z-shaped, Σ-shaped, or mirrored Σ-shaped profile. Such a shape of the entire insertion channel provides a particularly secure hold of the loop unit on the head section of the handle. An S-shape and a Z-shape of the guide contour result in a movement path of the loop unit with two changes of direction when inserted into the receiving space, while a Σ-shape implies three changes of direction, thus providing an even more secure hold of the loop unit. In particular, in a pair of walking sticks consisting of a left and a right stick, the shape of the insertion channel can be mirrored in a top view of the head section of the handle for the left and right sticks.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the loop unit can comprise a hand loop and an associated ring section which can be inserted into the receiving space of the head section. In particular, the ring section can be ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped, so that the ring section can be easily inserted into the receiving space of the head section and thus connected to the handle by means of a hand looped into the hand loop.

[0015] According to this embodiment, it is considered particularly advantageous if the ring section has a higher stiffness than the hand strap. A certain inherent stiffness of the ring section can prevent it from collapsing, which facilitates the insertion of the ring section into the receiving space of the handle's head section.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the receiving space in the head section can include an undercut, which can, in particular, act as an upper boundary of the receiving space and prevent the loop unit from being unintentionally detached from the receiving space. Such an undercut also advantageously ensures an even more secure hold of the loop unit in the receiving space and thus an even more secure connection between the head section of the handle and the loop unit of the handle.

[0017] Furthermore, the receiving space in the head section can include a locking section for the loop unit, which provides the loop unit with a secure hold in the receiving space of the head section. In particular, for this purpose, the locking section can be formed by small, mutually facing projections on opposite lateral walls of the receiving space, the distance between these projections being preferably smaller than the diameter or dimension of the loop section that comes into contact with the locking section when the loop unit is inserted into the receiving space of the head section of the handle to connect the loop unit and the handle. As mentioned, such a loop section can be designed, in particular, as an annular section with preferably higher stiffness.According to this embodiment of the present invention, the loop section can actually snap into place and a secure fit of the loop unit in the receiving space of the head section, without wobbling, etc., can be ensured.

[0018] Furthermore, the head section of the handle and / or the grip section of the handle can be made of a plastic material. Using a plastic material for the grip section and / or the head section can advantageously result in lower manufacturing costs while maintaining a lightweight and sufficiently strong handle assembly.

[0019] Furthermore, the grip section of the handle can advantageously have a length of at least 10 cm in a longitudinal direction of the stick, which is a common or standard handle length for, for example, ski poles or hiking poles.

[0020] Optionally, the grip section of the handle can have a length of at least 20 cm along the length of the pole. Such a long grip length is particularly advantageous when using the pole as a ski touring pole, since ski touring often involves traversing steep slopes during the ascent. When traversing these slopes, the ski touring pole can be gripped lower on the uphill side to compensate for the steep terrain. This feature is also beneficial for hiking poles, as traversing slopes is also common in hiking and mountaineering.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the head section and the handle section can be integrally connected. If the head section and handle section are integrally connected, i.e., manufactured in one piece, a simple design of the handle unit can be achieved. This also results in a robust handle unit that functions extremely reliably and is cost-effective to manufacture. Since the head section and handle section are manufactured in one piece, additional parts, and in particular a complex mechanism with moving parts for connecting the handle and the loop unit, can be dispensed with.

[0022] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the head section and the handle section can be separate, connectable elements. If the head section and the handle section are provided as separate, connectable elements, the manufacturing of the individual components can be simpler and more variable, since, for example, handle sections with different lengths can be produced without having to change the shape of the head section. Furthermore, it is possible to use different materials for the head section and the handle section, so that, for example, particular attention can be paid to stability when selecting the material for the head section, whereas a material used for the handle section should offer a more comfortable feel and / or better grip.

[0023] According to this alternative embodiment, the grip section of the handle is made of a softer material than the head section. A head section of the handle made of a material harder than the grip section provides sufficient stability, particularly for the connection between the head section and the strap assembly, whereas using a material softer for the grip section ensures a comfortable grip when holding the stick.

[0024] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the head section of the handle can be made of a plastic material and / or the grip section of the handle can be made of a foam material. A head section of the handle made of a plastic material, such as polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide (PA), or glass fiber-reinforced polyamide (PA-GF), offers sufficient stability, particularly for the connection between the head section and the strap unit, whereas the use of a foam material for the grip section of the handle ensures a comfortable grip when holding the pole.

[0025] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the inventive problem formulated at the outset is solved by a stick, in particular a sports stick, comprising a grip unit according to the first aspect of the present invention, a stick tip section for supporting itself on a surface or penetrating a surface and a stick body section, in particular in the form of an elongated rod, which is arranged to connect the grip unit and the stick tip section together.

[0026] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a handle unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a handle of the handle unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 shows a side view of the handle of the handle unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 shows a rear view of the handle of the handle unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 shows a top view of the handle of the handle unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a head section of a handle unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.Figure 7 shows a side view of a handle of the handle unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 8 shows a rear view of the handle of the handle unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] With reference to the Figures 1 to 5 A handle unit for a stick not shown, in particular a sports stick, according to a first embodiment of the present invention is generally characterized by the reference numeral 10.

[0028] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the grip unit 10 for a stick according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the grip unit 10 can be intended for a sports stick, such as a ski pole, ski touring pole, hiking pole, Nordic walking pole, cross-country ski pole, or the like, or can also be used outside the field of sports.

[0029] The grip unit 10 comprises a loop unit 20 for attaching to a user's hand and a handle 30. The handle 30 consists of a grip section 40 for grasping the handle 30 and a head section 50. The head section 50 has a receiving space 52 for receiving the loop unit 20, which may be provided, in particular, as a cavity 52 within the head section 50. The loop unit 20 and the handle 30 can be connected to each other by inserting the loop unit 20 into the receiving space 52.

[0030] The head section 50 of the handle 30 and the handle section 40 of the handle 30 can be made of a plastic material. According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the head section 50 of the handle 30 and the handle section 40 of the handle 30 can be integrally connected to each other, wherein the handle section 40 of the handle 30 can have a length of at least 10 cm in a longitudinal direction of the stick.

[0031] Further with reference to Figure 1The loop unit 20 can comprise a hand loop 22 and an associated ring section 24, which can be inserted into the receiving space 52 of the head section 50. The ring section 24 can have a higher stiffness than the hand loop 22, so that the ring section 24, which is particularly eyelet-shaped or ring-shaped, can have such inherent stiffness that it does not collapse and can be more easily threaded into the receiving space 52, whereas the hand loop 22 can lie flexibly against the hand of a user.

[0032] The head section 50 of the handle 30 comprises a predetermined guide contour 51 for inserting the loop unit 20, in particular the ring section 24 of the loop unit 20, into the receiving space 52, wherein the guide contour 51 has a course in at least two different directions according to the invention.

[0033] In this context, the guide contour 51 is to be understood as a guide surface along which a section of the loop unit 20, in particular the ring section 24, is guided slidably when the loop unit 20 or the ring section 24 of the loop unit 20 is inserted or threaded into the receiving space 52. The guide contour 51 can be provided on a side wall of an insertion channel 54 for the loop unit 20 or the ring section 24 of the loop unit 20, which will be described below, or simply on a freestanding extension projecting upwards from the head section. In other words, during a connection process with the head section 50 of the handle 30, the loop unit 20 or the ring section 24 of the loop unit 20 follows a path of movement with at least one, and according to the embodiments of the present invention, two, changes of direction.This movement can also be described as a labyrinthine movement along the guide contour 51, and the guide contour 51 can also be described as a backdrop, backdrop track, or guide backdrop.

[0034] The guide contour 51 can have a substantially S-shaped or mirrored S-shaped, Z-shaped or mirrored Z-shaped, or Σ-shaped or mirrored Σ-shaped profile. In particular, in the case of a cane pair consisting of a left and a right cane, the profile of the guide contour can be mirrored in a top view of the handle for the left and right canes. The profile of the guide contour 51 according to the present embodiment is described below with reference to Figure 5 explained in more detail.

[0035] According to the embodiments of the present invention, the head section 50 can comprise the insertion channel 54 for the loop unit 20 into the receiving space 52, wherein the guide contour 51 is formed on a guide surface 51 of the insertion channel 54. The insertion channel 54 can also have a course in at least two different directions, which is best achieved in Figure 5 This can be seen in the figure, which shows a top view of the head section 50 of the handle 30 and which will be discussed in more detail later.

[0036] With reference to Figure 2 , in which a perspective view of the handle 30 of the handle unit 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown, the receiving space 52 in the head section 50 can include a locking section 58 for the loop unit 20.

[0037] Figure 3shows a side view of the handle 30 of the handle unit 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and Figure 4 Figure 1 shows a rear view of the handle of the handle unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It can be seen that the receiving space 52 in the head section 50 can include an undercut 56, which acts as an upper boundary of the receiving space 52 and can ensure that the loop unit 20 or the ring section 24 of the loop unit 20 cannot simply be unintentionally released or torn out of the receiving space 52.

[0038] Out of Figure 5In the figure, which shows a top view of the handle 30 of the handle unit 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, one shape of the insertion channel 54 is most clearly visible. Accordingly, the insertion channel 54 can have a substantially mirrored S-shaped profile. Alternatively to this embodiment, the insertion channel 54 can have a substantially S-shaped, Z-shaped, mirrored Z-shaped, Σ-shaped, or mirrored Σ-shaped profile. In particular, in the case of a pair of canes consisting of a left and a right cane, the shape of the insertion channel 54 can be mirrored in a top view of the handle for the left and right canes, respectively.

[0039] In the Figures 6 to 8 is a handle unit for a stick not shown, in particular a sports stick, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein Figure 6a perspective view of a head section 150 of a handle unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention shows, Figure 7 a side view of a handle 130 of the handle unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention shows and Figure 8 a rear view of the handle 130 of the handle unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] During the Figures 6 to 8In contrast to the handle unit 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the head section 50 and the handle section 30 are integrally formed, the head section 150 of a handle 130 and a handle section 140 of a handle 130 in the illustrated handle unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention are separate elements which can be connected to each other by an adhesive connection, by a plug connection, by a positive locking connection or the like.

[0041] In this way, the handle section 140 of the handle 130 can be made of a softer material than the head section 150 of the handle 130, wherein in particular the head section 150 of the handle 130 can be made of a plastic material, such as polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide (PA) or glass fiber reinforced polyamide (PA-GF), which offers sufficient stability or strength, and the handle section 140 of the handle 130 can be made of a foam material, which ensures a comfortable grip when grasping the handle section 140.

[0042] A further difference from the grip unit 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention lies in a grip section 140 that is extended relative to the first grip section 40 and can have a length of at least 20 cm in one longitudinal direction of the pole. Such an extended grip section 140 is particularly advantageous when the pole is used as a ski touring pole, since, when traversing steep slopes during ski touring, the ski touring pole can be gripped lower on the uphill side to compensate for the steep terrain. Such a feature is also advantageous for hiking poles, since slopes are also crossed or traversed when hiking or mountaineering.

[0043] Apart from the fact that, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the head section 150 of the handle 130 and the handle section 140 of the handle 130 can be designed separately from one another and thus, as described above, can also be made of different materials, and that the handle section 140 of the handle 130 can have a greater length in a longitudinal direction than the handle section 40 of the handle 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the handle unit, and in particular the head section 150 of the handle 130, according to the second embodiment is constructed in the same or a similar way to the handle unit 10, and in particular the head section 50 of the handle 30, according to the first embodiment, so that a nearly repetitive description of identical or very similar components is omitted at this point.

Claims

1. Grip unit (10) for a stick, in particular a sports stick, comprising a loop unit (20) for attaching to a user's hand and a handle (30; 130) with a grip section (40; 140) for gripping the handle (30; 130) and a head section (50; 150) which has a receiving space (52; 152) for receiving the loop unit (20), so that the loop unit (20) and the handle (30; 130) can be connected to each other, characterized by the fact that the head section (50; 150) comprises a predetermined guide contour (51; 151) for the loop unit (20) to the receiving space (52; 152), wherein the guide contour (51; 151) has a course in at least two different directions.

2. Handle unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the guide contour (51; 151) has a substantially S-shaped or mirrored S-shaped or Z-shaped or mirrored Z-shaped profile or Σ-shaped or mirrored Σ-shaped profile.

3. Handle unit (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by the fact that the head section (50; 150) further comprises an insertion channel (54; 154) for the loop unit (20) into the receiving space (52; 152), wherein the guide contour (51; 151) is formed on a guide surface (51; 151) of the insertion channel (54; 154).

4. Handle unit (10) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the insertion channel (54; 154) also has a course in at least two different directions.

5. Handle unit (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the fact that the insertion channel (54; 154) has a substantially S-shaped or mirrored S-shaped or Z-shaped or mirrored Z-shaped or Σ-shaped or mirrored Σ-shaped profile.

6. Handle unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatthe loop unit (20) comprises a hand loop (22) and a ring section (24) connected thereto, which can be inserted into the receiving space (52; 152) of the head section (50; 150).

7. Handle unit (10) according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the ring section (24) has a higher stiffness than the hand strap (22).

8. Handle unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the recording space (52; 152) in the head section (50; 150) includes an undercut (56; 156).

9. Handle unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the receiving space (52; 152) in the head section (50; 150) includes a resting section (58; 158) for the loop unit (20).

10. Handle unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatthe head section (50; 150) of the handle (30; 130) is made of a plastic material and / or the handle section (40; 140) of the handle (30; 130) is made of a plastic material.

11. Handle unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the grip section (40) of the handle (30) has a length of at least 10 cm in a longitudinal direction of the stick, optionally wherein the grip section (140) of the handle (130) has a length of at least 20 cm in a longitudinal direction of the stick.

12. Handle unit (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the fact that the head section (50) of the handle (30) and the handle section (40) of the handle (30) are integrally connected.

13. Handle unit according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the fact that the head section (150) of the handle (130) and the handle section (140) of the handle (130) are separate elements that can be connected to each other.

14. Handle unit according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that The grip section (140) of the handle (130) is made of a softer material than the head section (150) of the handle (130). Optionally, the head section (150) of the handle (130) is made of a plastic material and / or the grip section (140) of the handle (130) is made of a foam material.

15. Stick, in particular sports stick, comprising a grip unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, a stick tip section for supporting on a surface or penetrating a surface and a stick body section, in particular in the form of an elongated rod, which is arranged to connect the grip unit (10) and the stick tip section together.

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