Stick for sports activity

Abstract

The invention relates to a sports pole comprising a shaft (1) having an upper part equipped with a grip and a lower part (1a) relative to which a ground support member (3) is mounted in translation by means of a shock-absorbing system, said system comprising an elastically compressible component (9) interposed between said support member and said lower part to be compressed over a stroke of their relative translation, the support member (3) having an upper extension (11) which is mounted in translation within the lower part (1a) of the shaft (1) by means of a guiding system, said guiding system comprising at least one vibration-decoupling element (12a, 12b) interposed between said upper extension and said lower part. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Stick for sports activity

[0001] The invention relates to a pole for sporting activity, such as a walking pole for example of the Nordic or trekking type, allowing the walker to propel himself using his arms to support himself on the ground.

[0002] Traditionally, this type of stick comprises a shaft having an upper part equipped with a grip handle and a lower part equipped with a ground support member, for example in the form of a metal tip.

[0003] Document EP-0 820 711 discloses a walking stick, in particular for hiking, which is equipped with a system for absorbing the shocks of the support member on the ground, said system comprising for this purpose an elastically compressible component which is arranged in a cage formed between the shaft of said stick and said support member on the ground.

[0004] Furthermore, document WO-2016 / 128229 describes a stick in which the ground support member is mounted in translation relative to the rod by means of such a shock-absorbing system, an elastically compressible component being interposed between said support member and the lower part of said rod to be compressed over a stroke of their relative translation.

[0005] Although it allows the shocks of the support member on the ground to be absorbed, the compression stroke used by known embodiments proves to be insufficient to counter the vibrations caused by these shocks, in particular in that these vibrations can propagate along the rod to the hand of the user holding the handle.

[0006] The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing in particular a stick for sporting activity in which the shocks of the support member on the ground are absorbed while jointly allowing absorption of the vibrations caused by said shocks, so as to guarantee the user optimal comfort during the practice of his sporting activity.

[0007] To this end, the invention proposes a stick for sporting activity comprising a rod having an upper part equipped with a grip handle and a lower part relative to which a ground support member is mounted in translation by means of a shock-absorbing system, said system comprising an elastically compressible component which is interposed between said support member and said lower part to be compressed over a stroke of their relative translation, the support member having an upper extension which is mounted in translation in the lower part of the rod by means of a guide system, said guide system comprising at least one vibration decoupling element which is interposed between said upper extension and said lower part.

[0008] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, given with reference to the attached figures, in which:

[0009] [Fig. 1] shows in side view the lower part of a stick for sports activity according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0010] [Fig.2] represents in longitudinal section the lower part of the stick according to [Fig. 1] , from which the ground support member washer is absent;

[0011] [Fig.3a],

[0012] [Fig.3b] and

[0013] [Fig.3c] represent the vibration decoupling elements of the stick of figures 1 and 2, figures 3a and 3b representing the upper decoupling element respectively in longitudinal section ([Fig.3a]) and in side view ([Fig.3b]), [Fig.3c] representing the lower decoupling element in longitudinal section;

[0014] [Fig.4a] and

[0015] [Fig.4b] represent the lower part of the stick of figures 1 and 2 without the washer and with the elastic component in compressed position, respectively in side view ([Fig.4a]) and in longitudinal section ([Fig.4b]);

[0016] [Fig.5] being a partial cross-sectional view showing the mounting of a decoupling element according to another embodiment of the invention,

[0017] [Fig.5a] and

[0018] [Fig.5b] being perspective views showing respectively partially the upper extension and the decoupling ring of [Fig.5].

[0019] In relation to these figures, a pole for sporting activity is described below, such as a walking pole for example of the Nordic or trekking type, allowing, in particular when used in pairs, the walker to propel himself using his arms to support himself on the ground.

[0020] The stick comprises a rod 1, for example formed from metal, in particular aluminum, or from a carbon-based composite material, or from glass fibers, flax, hemp or from aramid or polyethylene type plastic of very high molar mass. The rod 1 has an upper part (not shown) and a lower part 1a, and can be made in a single piece or in several segments associated together, forming an inner conduit 2 extending along an axis.

[0021] In the description, the terms “axial” and “radial” are defined in relation to this axis (vertical in the figures), the terms “upper” and “lower” being defined in relation to the position of use of the stick, as represented in particular in figures 1, 2, 4a and 4b.

[0022] The upper part of the rod 1 is equipped with a grip handle, by which the user grasps and holds the stick during the practice of a sporting activity. The handle may for example be formed from a polymer material, and have a recess lower part in which the upper part of the rod 1 is fixed.

[0023] Advantageously, the handle has a dimension and an external geometry which are adapted for a good manual grip for handling the stick. The handle may also be equipped with an element for attaching the stick to the hand of a user, in particular in the form of a wrist strap or a gauntlet, to prevent the dropping and / or loss of said stick when the user temporarily releases said handle, said element being able to be permanently or detachably attached to said handle.

[0024] The lower part 1a is equipped with a member 3 intended to come to bear on the ground when using the stick. To do this, the member 3 comprises a body 4 under which is fixed a point 5 for bearing on the ground, said point being able in particular to be made of metallic material, for example based on steel and / or tungsten carbide.

[0025] The body 3 may for example be made of an injected thermoplastic material, possibly reinforced with fibers, and comprises a lower end 3a in which a threaded hole 6 is formed to allow the ground support point 5 to be mounted by force or by screwing.

[0026] The support member 3 is also equipped with a washer 7 which is mounted by screwing onto the outer periphery of the body 4, for this purpose having a threaded bore intended to cooperate with a screw thread 8 formed on said body. The washer 7 has a lower surface 7a for bearing on the ground which can advantageously be arranged to limit its sliding on the ground, in particular by having geometric patterns.

[0027] Advantageously, the bearing surface 7a of the washer 7 is optimized to limit sliding on soft ground, in particular by having an extended geometry, and the tip 5 is arranged to allow grip on hard ground, in particular by having a reduced bearing surface 5a.

[0028] The member 3 is mounted in translation relative to the lower part 1a by means of a system for absorbing the shocks of said member on the ground, said system comprising an elastically compressible component 9 which is interposed between said support member and said lower part to be compressed over a stroke of their relative translation, as shown in Figures 4a and 4b.

[0029] In the embodiment shown, the elastically compressible component is formed of a ring 9 which may be formed from an elastomeric material, in particular in the form of a foam. The elastomeric material may for example comprise a polyurethane or expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (eTPU) foam, or even rubber, in particular of the TPR (for Thermo Propylen Rubber) type. Alternatively, the elastically compressible component may comprise a spring of compressible geometry, for example helical, or be in the form of an air damping component.

[0030] The body 4 has an upper seat 4a on which the elastically compressible ring 9 is arranged in axial support. Similarly, the lower part 1a of the rod 1 is equipped with an end piece 10 having a lower seat 10a on which the ring 9 is also arranged in axial support.

[0031] The end piece 10 can be made of plastic, and comprises a cylindrical body 10b in which the lower part 1a of the rod 1 is fixed by fitting, gluing or screwing, said body ensuring in particular the correct alignment of the parts during assembly.

[0032] Thus, when the member 3 comes to bear on the ground, the body 4 moves in translation relative to the lower part 1a of the rod 1, which causes compression of the ring 9 and therefore shock absorption. Then, when the contact of the member 3 against the ground is interrupted, said member returns to its initial position by elastic return of the ring 9 to its rest position.

[0033] To improve the user's comfort, the stick is equipped with means for absorbing the vibrations generated by the impacts of the member 3 on the ground, in order to prevent said vibrations from propagating along the rod 1, and in particular to the grip handle.

[0034] To do this, the support member 3 has an upper extension 11 which is mounted in translation in the lower part 1a of the rod 1 by means of a guide system, said guide system comprising at least one vibration decoupling element 12a, 12b which is interposed between said upper extension and said lower part.

[0035] Thus, the guidance of the support member 3 is carried out optimally inside the rod 1 by providing vibration decoupling allowing in particular, by avoiding direct contact between said support member and said rod, to absorb the vibrations before they can propagate along said rod to the handle.

[0036] In the figures, the support member 3 comprises a tube 13 having an upper part 13a forming the upper extension 11, said upper part being mounted in translation in the lower part 1a of the rod 1.

[0037] The tube 13 is formed from a piece separate from the body 4, and has a lower part 13b around which said body is arranged, in particular by fitting said lower part into a housing 14 provided for this purpose in said body. In particular, the support point 5 is fixed to the lower end of the lower part 13b, in particular by force fitting or by screwing or gluing.

[0038] Alternatively, the tube 13 may be formed in one piece with the body 4, in particular by molding and injection of a thermoplastic material. In particular, the tube 13 may be made from polyamide loaded with glass fiber or carbon.

[0039] Furthermore, the elastically compressible ring 9 has a bore 9a in in which an intermediate part 13c of the tube 13 is arranged in order to allow the sliding of said tube on the compression stroke of said ring.

[0040] Advantageously, the guidance system comprises a top vibration decoupling element 12a and a bottom vibration decoupling element 12b, which allows optimal guidance and effective absorption of vibrations. These decoupling elements 12a, 12b are both interposed between the upper extension 11 and the lower part 1a of the rod 1, respectively in the upper part and in the lower part.

[0041] Each vibration decoupling element comprises a decoupling ring 12 which is mounted around the upper extension 11. The decoupling rings 12 may be made from a viscoelastic material, in particular rubber, silicone or SEBS type thermoplastic elastomer. According to one embodiment, at least one decoupling ring 12, in particular that forming the lower vibration decoupling element 12b, may be made in a single piece with the elastically compressible ring 9.

[0042] The decoupling rings 12 are axially immobilized between an upper stop 15a, 16a and a lower stop 15b, 16b, at least one of these stops 15a, 15b, 16a being formed by a radial fold 17 formed on the upper extension 11.

[0043] In Figures 2 and 3a, the upper decoupling ring 12 is axially immobilized between two stops 15a, 15b each formed by such a radial fold 17. In Figures 2 and 3c, the lower decoupling ring 12 is axially immobilized under an upper stop 16a formed by such a radial fold 17, and comes to bear axially on a lower stop 16b integrated into the end piece 10.

[0044] Each vibration decoupling element 12a, 12b comprises a bearing 18 for guiding the upper extension 11 in translation in the conduit 2 of the rod 1, said bearing being interposed between the decoupling ring 12 and the inner periphery of the lower part 1a of said rod. Alternatively, the decoupling ring 12 may be interposed between the bearing 18 and the inner periphery of the lower part 1a of the rod 1, in particular by providing that the ring 12 is mounted in said rod.

[0045] In relation to Figures 1 to 4, the vibration decoupling rings 12 have a coefficient of friction which is sufficient to keep the guide bearings 18 rotating relative to the upper extension 11.

[0046] The guide bearings 18 comprise an outer periphery having axial ribs 19, the inner periphery of the lower part 1a of the rod 1 having axial grooves 20 in which said ribs are engaged to block the relative rotation of the support member 3 with respect to the rod 1.

[0047] In particular, the cooperation between the ribs 19 and the grooves 20 makes it possible to prevent rotation of the member 3 relative to the rod 1 when screwing the washer 7 onto said member, and thus to protect the damping ring 9 from the risks shear tear.

[0048] The outer periphery of the decoupling rings 12 and / or the inner periphery of the guide bearings 18 has projections 21 and / or radial recesses 22 cooperating at the interface between said peripheries to improve the axial and / or radial securing of the guide bearings 18 around the decoupling rings 12.

[0049] The inner periphery of the bearings 18 has a radial projection 21 engaged in a substantially complementary radial hollow 22 formed on the outer periphery of the decoupling rings 12.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the maintenance of a guide bearing 18 in rotation relative to the upper extension 11 is ensured by shape cooperation between said bearing and said extension.

[0051] In relation to figures 5, the extension 11 has holes in the form of two opposite grooves 23, the bearing 18 comprising two complementary internal lugs 24 which are immobilized in rotation in a groove 23 respectively.

[0052] To ensure vibration decoupling, the ring 12 has lateral housings 25 which are interposed between a lug 24 and a groove 23. Furthermore, the bearing 18 and the ring 12 each have a longitudinal slot 26, 27 to allow them to be mounted around the upper extension 11.

[0053] Advantageously, the mounting of the bearing 18 in the rod 1 allows slight compression of the ring 12 between the bearing 18 and the extension 11, in order to guarantee the holding of the mounting and the vibration decoupling.

Claims

Claims

1. Stick for sporting activity comprising a rod (1) having an upper part equipped with a grip handle and a lower part (1a) relative to which a ground support member (3) is mounted in translation by means of a shock-absorbing system, said system comprising an elastically compressible component (9) which is interposed between said support member and said lower part to be compressed over a stroke of their relative translation, said stick being characterized in that the support member (3) has an upper extension (11) which is mounted in translation in the lower part (1a) of the rod (1) by means of a guide system, said guide system comprising at least one vibration decoupling element (12a, 12b) which is interposed between said upper extension and said lower part.

2. Stick for sporting activity according to claim 1, characterized in that the support member (3) comprises a body (4) under which is fixed a point (5) for support on the ground, said body having an upper seat (4a) on which the elastically compressible component (9) is arranged in axial support.

3. Stick for sports activity according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support member (3) comprises a tube (13) having an upper part (13a) forming the upper extension (11) which is mounted in translation in the lower part (la) of the rod (1).

4. A sports stick according to claim 3, characterized in that the elastically compressible component (9) is formed of a ring having a bore (9a) in which an intermediate part (13c) of the tube (13) is arranged.

5. Stick for sporting activity according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support member (3) is equipped with a washer (7) which is mounted by screwing (8) on the periphery of said support member.

6. Stick for sports activity according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the elastically compressible component (9) is formed from an elastomeric material, in particular in the form of a foam.

7. Stick for sports activity according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lower part (la) of the rod (1) is equipped with a tip (10) having a lower seat (10a) on which the elastically compressible component (9) is arranged in axial support.

8. A sports stick according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a vibration decoupling element (12a, 12b) comprises a decoupling ring (12) which is mounted around the upper extension (11).

9. Stick for sports activity according to claim 8, characterized in that the decoupling ring (12) is made from a viscoelastic material.

10. Stick for sporting activity according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the decoupling ring (12) is immobilized axially between an upper stop (15a, 16a) and a lower stop (15b, 16b).

11. Stick for sporting activity according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one stop (15a, 15b, 16a) is formed by a radial fold (17) formed on the upper extension (11).

12. A sports stick according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that a vibration decoupling element comprises a guide bearing (18) which is interposed between the decoupling ring (12) and the inner periphery of the lower part (la) of the rod (1).

13. Stick for sports activity according to claim 12, characterized in that the guide bearing (18) comprises an outer periphery having axial ribs (19), the inner periphery of the lower part (la) of the rod (1) having axial grooves (20) in which said ribs are engaged to block the relative rotation of the support member (3) with respect to the rod (1).

14. Stick for sports activity according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the outer periphery of the decoupling ring (12) and / or the inner periphery of the guide bearing (18) has projections (21) and / or radial recesses (22) cooperating at the interface between said peripheries to improve the axial and / or radial securing of the guide bearing (18) around the decoupling ring (12a, 12b).

15. Stick for sporting activity according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the maintenance of a guide bearing (18) in rotation relative to the upper extension (11) is ensured by shape cooperation between said bearing and said extension.

16. Stick for sporting activity according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the guidance system comprises an element (12a) for high vibration decoupling and a low vibration decoupling element (12b), said decoupling elements being interposed between the upper extension (11) and the lower part (la) of the rod (1) respectively in the upper part and in the lower part.

Images