Handle for a shaft, of the oar shaft type, and oar comprising such a handle

Abstract

The invention proposes a 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 gripping; - an inner wall 5 defining a cylindrical cavity 6, said inner wall 5 being capable of coming into contact with a shaft 3 and comprising distortion means for mounting on the shaft 3. These distortion means consist of helical grooves 10 made in the inner wall 5 and extending from one end of the body 1 to the other. Figure for the abstract: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Handle for a shaft, of the oar shaft type, and oar comprising such a handle Technical field of the invention

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

[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 handle to which such a grip is fitted. Rowing is a sport of speed and gliding in a long boat. The rower sits above water level on a rolling seat and turns his back to the direction of travel of the boat. The oars (the "oars") are used to propel the boat. Depending on the type of boat, the rower uses: - a single oar called a point oar (total length of 3.5 m to 4 m) - or two so-called pair oars (about 3 m long each), called oar port and starboard oar. Technical background

[0005] We know the pair oar comprising a handle of which a first end is coupled to a blade intended to be placed in the water, and of which the second end is coupled to a handle for a better grip of the oar. The handle 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, there may be a plastic wedge pressed tightly inside the second end of the handle, and having an internal thread into which a screw is inserted. The handle is fitted around the second end of the handle until the screw abuts against the bottom of the handle. The adjustment of the fitting depth of the handle on the handle is carried out by adjusting the length of insertion of the screw. This makes it possible to adjust the total length of the oar which must be adapted to the size of the rower. A hole is provided in the bottom of the handle to access the screw with a screwdriver when the handle is mounted on the handle. It is then necessary to loosen the clamp, to then be able to adjust the length of insertion of the screw and translate the handle accordingly, then to tighten 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 disadvantage is that the thread of the shim is often damaged, and the screw then turns in a vacuum. Since the shim is not repairable, it is therefore no longer possible to adjust the size of the oar without replacing it.

[0010] These oars with damaged bilges are then unfortunately put aside and are no longer operational, even if the handle and the blade are still in good condition.

[0011] Since changing handles between users takes a long time, individual use is currently impossible (single handle per oar). Summary of the invention

[0012] The present invention aims to overcome the various drawbacks stated above, by means of a handle for a shaft, of the oar shaft type, allowing it to be easily fitted around the shaft and held in position, without tools, by any rower. This handle offers the possibility of adjusting the length of the oar. This handle can also be used on old oars whose shim is damaged, in order to be able to reuse them.

[0013] The handle according to the invention is constituted, in a conventional manner, of a hollow body extending longitudinally along an axis X and having:

[0014] - an external grip wall;

[0015] - an inner wall defining a cylindrical cavity, said inner wall being adapted to come into contact with a handle and comprising distortion means for mounting it on the handle.

[0016] This handle is mainly characterized 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.

[0017] The main idea of ​​this invention is to provide a handle that can be fitted around the handle by a general screwing movement. In concrete terms, the rower covers the free end of the handle with the handle while turning the handle. The helical grooves facilitate the insertion of the handle inside the handle during rotation. These grooves tend to move apart, or widen, or expand during rotation, and thus allow the inner wall of the handle to deform during screwing. In concrete terms, the raised parts located between the grooves can easily deform by twisting.

[0018] The grooves have a helical orientation corresponding to the helical movement of the screwing.

[0019] Once the handle is in place, the grooves tighten or retract to grip the oar. The handle is then tightened onto the shaft and held in position.

[0020] To remove the handle, simply unscrew it from the handle.

[0021] There is no translational movement possible during assembly, nor during use of the oar, nor during disassembly.

[0022] This type of handle can be mounted on any type of oar, even those with damaged cleats.

[0023] According to the different embodiments of the invention, which may be taken 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 the surface in contact with the handle. - the body has a first open end for fitting it with a handle, and a second closed end. - The handle has wedging means arranged inside the body against its second closed end. - the outer wall has a geometry that resembles the imprint of a hand gripping the handle. - the outer wall is polygonal; - the outer wall has at least three sides that fit the shape of a user's fingers; - the second closed end of the handle has a central through hole, used as a vent hole.

[0024] The invention also relates to a pair of handles as described above. This pair comprises a first handle called "port" and a second handle called "starboard". The helical grooves of the port handle have a winding direction opposite to that of the helical grooves of the starboard handle.

[0025] 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.

[0026] Indeed, when the rower holds the two oars, he exerts an opposite force on the two handles since the oars are arranged symmetrically on either side of the rower. The force exerted by the rower on each handle during the activity must be such that it must encourage the handle to be pushed in, therefore it must be in the direction of screwing the handle, in order to prevent it from unscrewing during the activity. The natural gesture made by the athlete when rowing is a movement which must tighten the handle on the shaft.

[0027] Thus, the starboard handle, located to the right of the boat relative to the direction of travel, which is held by the rower's left hand, is screwed to the handle in counterclockwise, and its helical grooves then have a counterclockwise winding direction.

[0028] The port handle, located to the left of the boat relative to the direction of travel, which is held by the rower's right hand, is screwed to the handle in a clockwise direction, and its helical grooves then have a clockwise winding direction.

[0029] Finally, the invention relates to an oar comprising a handle and a grip as described previously, fitted to one end of said handle by screwing.

[0030] According to the different embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately: - the oar has wedging means arranged inside the body of the handle, between the second closed end of the body and the handle. - said wedging means consist of a wedge comprising a wedging 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. - said wedging section has a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the handle; - said wedging section has a diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the body measured at the bottom of a groove. - the wedge is cylindrical. - the wedge has a centering sleeve that fits inside the handle. - the wedge has an external shoulder between the sleeve and said section of wedging. - this shoulder corresponds to said first support surface of the wedge. - the outside diameter of the wedging 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 support surfaces of the wedge defines the length of the wedge. - the oar has air purge 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 handle include means for indexing the rotation of one relative to the other. - said rotational indexing means consist of two diametrically opposed longitudinal grooves provided in the inner wall of the handle and cooperating with two longitudinal protrusions provided for this purpose on the outer wall of the handle. Brief description of the figures

[0031] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0032] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is an exploded and perspective view of a rowing end according to the invention;

[0033] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a longitudinal sectional view of an assembled oar end according to the invention;

[0034] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a sectional and perspective view of a port handle and a starboard handle for pair oars;

[0035] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is another sectional view of the port handle and the handle starboard according to [Fig.3];

[0036] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the port handle and the handle starboard according to [Fig.3];

[0037] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a side view of the port handle and the starboard handle according to [Fig.3];

[0038] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of a port handle for a rowing oar tip;

[0039] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a side view of the port handle according to [Fig.7]. Detailed description of the invention

[0040] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions will be designated by the same references.

[0041] [Fig. 1] shows the end of an oar in exploded view, in this case the end of a shaft 3 and a handle 22.

[0042] [Fig.2] illustrates these same elements once assembly is complete.

[0043] The handle 3 of an oar classically corresponds to a hollow cylindrical tube,

[0044] a first end of which is coupled to a shovel (not shown) intended to be placed in the water, and the second end 23 of which is coupled to a handle 22 for a better grip on the oar.

[0045] The handle 22 mainly comprises a hollow body 1, a first end 8 of which is open for fitting around the handle 3, and the second end 7 of which is closed.

[0046] Optionally, the handle 22 comprises a wedge 2 arranged inside the body 1 and resting against the second end 7 of the handle 3. It makes it possible to extend the total length of the oar according to the needs of the rower.

[0047] The body 1 extends longitudinally along an axis X, as shown in [Fig.2]. This axis X also corresponds to the mounting axis of the handle 22 on the handle 3.

[0048] Body 1 presents: - an external wall 4 for gripping; - an inner wall 5 defining a cylindrical cavity 6, said wall inner wall 5 being able to come into contact with the outer wall 15 of the handle 3.

[0049] The inner wall 5 of the body 1 comprises 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.

[0050] 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 handle 3.

[0051] Indeed, the handle 22 is mounted on the handle 3 by a screwing movement, therefore helical. The helical grooves 10 have an orientation which follows the screwing movement of the handle 22, in order to contribute to the screwing. The internal diameter of the body 1 is very slightly less than the external diameter of the handle 3 (tight fit), and without these grooves 10, it would be complicated to succeed in fitting the body 1 around the handle 3, and this while ensuring a tightening of the body 1 around the handle 3 at the end of assembly.

[0052] The helical grooves 10 allow the inner wall 5 of the body 1 to deform progressively during screwing.

[0053] More precisely, the inner wall 5 is cut into strips (or raised parts), 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 by encroaching into 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 parts) 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 return to their initial shape and exert a clamping force against the outer wall 15 of the handle 3.

[0054] The helical grooves 10 thus make it possible to create a sort of operating clearance aiding fitting. The strips defined by the grooves 10 constitute means of adhesion to the handle 3 at the end of assembly.

[0055] To remove the body 1 from the handle 3, simply turn the body 1 in the opposite direction to unscrew it.

[0056] It is not possible to mount this body 1 on the handle 3 by translation. Moreover, if translation were possible, this would mean that the internal diameter of the body 1 (measured at the level of 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 continue to turn or come off when using the oar.

[0057] 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.

[0058] More generally, the entire body 1 of the handle 22 is made from a flexible and deformable material.

[0059] For example, the handle 22 is made of a polymer material.

[0060] The handle 22 is obtained by molding or additive manufacturing.

[0061] Preferably, the inner wall 5 has at least 50% of surface area in contact with the handle 3. This surface area corresponds to said strips (i.e. the raised parts) mentioned above. The remaining 50% of surface area corresponds to the bottoms of the grooves 10.

[0062] The percentage of surface in contact with the handle 3 is important to be able to ensure intense tightening of the handle 3 at the end of assembly. Similarly, the percentage of remaining surface corresponding to the grooves 10 is important to provide sufficient free space to allow distortion of the strips during assembly and disassembly.

[0063] Thanks to the internal grooves 10 and the flexibility of the inner wall 5, it is possible to mount this handle 22 on a conventional rowing handle 3 without tools.

[0064] In double 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 hand. Thus, when rowing, the rower exerts opposite forces on the oars. In this case, they tend to perform a rotational / twisting movement of the handles they hold in their hands. When this is a movement that promotes the screwing of the handle, there is no problem and the handle 22 remains correctly in place on the shaft 3. On the other hand, when this is a movement that promotes the unscrewing of the handle, there is a risk that the handle 22 will gradually unscrew during the activity and become unstuck. 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. In fact, the . helical grooves 10 of the port handle 22a have a winding direction opposite to that of the helical grooves 10 of the starboard handle 22b.

[0065] More specifically, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, 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. The port handle 22a is illustrated on the left of Figures 3 and 4, while the starboard handle 22b is illustrated on the right of Figures 3 and 4.

[0066] Thus, the movement of the rower 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.

[0067] Whether it is a port handle 22a or a starboard handle 22b, the outer wall 4 of the handle 22 is conventionally cylindrical in appearance.

[0068] Advantageously, the outer wall 4 of the handle 22 has a complex geometry reproducing the imprint of a hand gripping the handle. This allows the rower to have a better grip on the handle.

[0069] For example, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the outer wall 4 may be polygonal and comprise at least three sides matching the shape of the three phalanges of a user's fingers. The remainder of the contour may simply be rounded to match the shape of the metacarpals of the user's hand.

[0070] Optionally, on each panel 16, 17, 18 there may be a first zone 16a, 17a, 18a with a slight wave for placing the index finger, the middle finger, the ring finger and the little finger, and a 2nd zone 16b, 17b, 18b in the vicinity of the closed end 7 for placing the thumb.

[0071] In the same way as for the helical grooves 10, the port and starboard handles are not identical but are symmetrical since they are arranged symmetrically relative to the rower.

[0072] The port handle 22a is illustrated on the left of Figures 5 and 6, while the starboard handle 22b is illustrated on the right of Figures 5 and 6.

[0073] The sides 16, 17, 18 are oriented towards the right for the port handle 22a of [Fig.6], while they are oriented towards the left for the starboard handle 22b of [Fig.6].

[0074] Other shapes of handle 22 could be envisaged within the scope of the present invention.

[0075] It is also possible to provide a handle 22 whose external shape is individualized by reproducing the scanned surface of the user's hand on the handle. In this case, the handle 22 has a molded gripping surface. according to the user's handprints. The handle 22 thus has a shape complementary to the shape of the hand in action.

[0076] Advantageously, the inner wall 5 of the handle 22 and the outer wall 15 of the shaft 3 comprise means for indexing the rotation of one relative to the other. Indeed, it is important that the user can correctly orient the handle 22 relative to the shaft 3, and in particular relative to the blade located at the other end of the shaft 3. The blade must be in a certain position when the rower takes the handle 22 in hand. This indexing between the handle 22 and the blade is very important to ensure optimal efficiency of the rowing in motion.

[0077] More precisely, said rotation indexing means consist of two diametrically opposed longitudinal grooves 11 provided in the inner wall 5 of the handle 22, notably visible in FIGS. 4, and cooperating with two longitudinal protrusions 12 provided for this purpose on the outer wall 15 of the handle 3, notably visible in [Fig.l]. The grooves 11 and the protrusions 12 thus extend parallel to the axis X.

[0078] The grooves 11 intersect the helical grooves 10.

[0079] At the end of mounting the handle 22 on the handle 3, the user turns the handle 22 until the protrusions 12 fit inside the longitudinal grooves 11.

[0080] It is also possible to use a handle 22 according to the invention for a point oar where the rower places his right hand on a starboard oar, or his left hand on a port oar. It is therefore the opposite of pair rowing.

[0081] In this case, the starboard tip handle 22b will have helical grooves 10 reversed relative to the starboard torque handle 22b.

[0082] The port tip handle 22a will have helical grooves 10 reversed relative to the port torque handle 22a.

[0083] The starboard and port tip handles 22 will also have an inversion of the first zones 16a, 17a, 18a and second zones 16b, 17b, 18b on each panel 16, 17, 18 of the outer wall 4, because 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 tip handle 22a is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8.

[0084] Whether it is a port or starboard oar, point or couple, the handle 22 according to the invention can include wedging means in order to increase the length of the oar according to the needs of the rower.

[0085] These wedging means consist of a shim 2 as shown in figures 1 and 2 for example.

[0086] Preferably, the wedge 2 is cylindrical.

[0087] The wedge 2 is arranged 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.

[0088] In this example, the wedge 2 comprises a wedging section 13 delimited by a first bearing surface 19 against the free end 23 of the handle 3 and a second bearing surface 20 against the second closed end 7 of the body 1. The distance between these two bearing surfaces 19, 20 defines the length of the wedge 2. Thus, the length of the wedging section 13 increases the total length of the oar by the same amount.

[0089] For each handle 22, it is possible to provide a set of wedges 2 with different lengths of wedge section 13, so that the rower can choose the one that suits him best.

[0090] The wedging section 13 has a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the handle 3 so that it can come to bear against the end 23 of the handle 3.

[0091] Furthermore, the diameter of the wedging section 13 is between the minimum internal diameter of the body 1 measured at the level of the surface in contact with the handle 3 and the maximum internal diameter of the body 1 measured at the level of the bottom of a groove 10. The shim 2 is thus correctly held in the hollow body 1 of the handle 22.

[0092] The handle 22 equipped with its wedge 2 can be used on an oar whose old wedge is damaged. Indeed, it is entirely possible to add the new wedge 2 which will then be interposed between the old wedge 2 and the closed end 7 of the handle 22.

[0093] Thus, it will be possible to reuse oars whose old shim is damaged.

[0094] For new oars, it is possible to provide a wedge 2 with a centering sleeve 21 inserted inside the handle 3 so as to center it relative to the handle 3 during assembly, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

[0095] An external shoulder is formed between the sleeve 21 and said wedging section 13. This shoulder corresponds to said first bearing surface 19 of the wedge 2.

[0096] Advantageously, the oar has air purge means consisting of a central through hole 14 provided in said wedge 2 and a central through hole 9 provided in the second closed end 7 of the body 1. This prevents the appearance of excess pressure at the bottom of the body 1 when mounting the handle 22, making fitting difficult.

[0097] The configurations shown in the cited figures are only possible examples, in no way limiting, of the invention which on the contrary encompasses the variants of shapes and designs within the reach of those skilled in the art.

Claims

Claims

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

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

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

7. Pair of handles (22) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a first handle (22a) called "port" and a second handle (22b) called "starboard", characterized in that the helical grooves (10) of the port handle (22a) have a winding direction opposite to 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 handle (3) and a grip (22) according to one of claims 1 to 6 fitted to one end (23) of said handle (3) by screwing.

10. Oar according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said wedging means consist of a wedge (2) comprising a wedging section (13) delimited by a first bearing surface (19) against the end (23) of the handle (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 wedging section (13) has a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the handle (3) and less than the internal 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 purge means consisting of a central through hole (14) provided in said wedge (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) comprise means for indexing in rotation of one relative to the other.

14. Oar according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said rotation indexing means consist of two diametrically opposed 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 handle (3).

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