Foldable stick

Abstract

A folding stick (1), comprising at least three tubular parts (7-9), which, when assembled, are interconnected by a plug-in connection mechanism, at least two tubular parts (8, 8', 9) being interconnected in the folded state by a tension cable (16), the plug-in connection mechanism having a guide pin (17) in one of the tubular parts, the guide pin (17) having a central through opening (36) for the tension cable (16) and a fixing part ( The present invention discloses a folding stick (1) having a foldable cable (16) fixed by a closure plug (18) and axially opposite a plug region (49, 17''), the closure plug (18) having an axial slot (63) through which the closure plug (18) can be removably inserted, the closure plug (18) having an axial slot (63) through which the closure cable (16) can be introduced radially into the axial through opening (64). The folding stick is characterized in that, in at least one simple plug-in connection mechanism, a tubular protective sheath (61) is provided surrounding the closure cable (16) and is held in a form-fitting manner in or against the closure plug (18).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to the field of sticks used for hiking and Nordic walking, and in the broadest sense for other types of sports, such as cross-country or downhill skiing, mountaineering, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] In particular, but not exclusively, adjustable length stick designs are known from the field of hiking and Nordic walking, where the adjustability can be used, on the one hand, to adapt the length of the stick to requirements, but, on the other hand, to shorten the stick to the smallest possible storage size, i.e., so short that it can be tucked away in a backpack or the like. Designs in which what is called an inner tube with a small diameter is movably supported in an outer tube with a somewhat larger diameter, and the relative position of the tubular parts can be fixed by a locking mechanism, are known, for example, from US Pat. No. 5,399,431 or, alternatively, from US Pat. No. 5,399,431 or US Pat. No. 5,499,431.

[0003] When using such a design, it is essential that the individual tubular sections each have different diameters, in particular in order to achieve a small storage size, and it must also be ensured that the tubes are as close as possible to one another in practice.

[0004] It may therefore occur that the stick is very thin, especially in the lower region where the thinnest tubes are typically located, and thus does not have sufficient inherent stiffness for some applications. Furthermore, the designs disclosed in the above mentioned documents are often not considered very suitable by users, since the relative positions of the individual tubular stick portions of the stick must be fixed by twisting them relative to one another, which requires the application of a considerable rotational force by hand.

[0005] Alternative mechanisms in which the relative fixing of the axial position of the different movable tubular parts is not achieved by an internal locking mechanism are known, for example from US Pat. No. 5,399,433 or alternatively from US Pat. No. 5,499,433 or US Pat. No. 5,523,636 and US Pat. No. 5,633,636. However, the external structure of such mechanisms is often not suitable for supporting more than two stick tubes movable inside and outside one another, so that the resulting storage size is not small enough in this case.

[0006] Known, for example from DE 10 200 03 133 A1, are so-called foldable sticks, in which the individual stick segments are connected by means of a plug-in connection mechanism. In this case, the stick segments may each have substantially equal diameters and are connected to one another by tension cables, so that after assembly, the individual stick segments are rigidly connected to one another in the axial direction by tensioning the tension cables. The problem with this design is that a flexible tension cable must connect the individual stick segments to one another and pass through them. As a result, this type of design does not facilitate production and maintenance, and only makes it difficult to assemble the stick segments according to the requirements of different customers.

[0007] An improvement in this respect is described by DE 199 02 13 56 A1, i.e. a folding stick comprising four or five tubular parts which in the assembled state are connected to one another by a plug connection mechanism and in the folded state at least two or three tubular parts are connected to one another only by movable connecting elements, wherein the folding stick is characterized in that each conical closing plug with an axial through-opening is removably mounted, for example screwed, in the plug area of ​​the plug connection mechanism, closing said area against the following tubular part and each conical closing plug has an axial slot through which a tension cable can be introduced radially into the through-opening. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] German Utility Model No. 29706849 [Patent Document 2] DE49708829 [Patent Document 3] European Patent Application Publication No. 1450906 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2010 / 085905 [Patent Document 5] DE69401765 [Patent Document 6] European Patent Application Publication No. 1217224 [Patent Document 7] EP098898 [Patent Document 8] International Publication No. 2012 / 104424 [Patent Document 9] International Publication No. 2021 / 156220 Summary of the Invention

[0009] A problem with this type of folding stick is that the tension cables used therein, which connect the individual tubular sections connected by a pure plug-in connection mechanism, can be damaged by intensive use, which is already a problem when the surface of the tension cables is no longer smooth, since the stick can no longer be fixed easily or only with great effort.

[0010] One solution is to provide the tension cable with a sheath over its entire length, however this solution is expensive, environmentally questionable and also difficult to assemble, since it is necessary either to remove the corresponding sheath to which the tension cable must be fixed or to carry out a fixing process that is both cumbersome and difficult while taking the sheath into account.

[0011] The present invention follows a completely different, surprisingly simple and extremely efficient path. In particular, a protective sheath is provided, but in any case only exactly in the required area surrounding the tension cable, i.e. the area surrounding the exposed and bent tension cable in the folded state. To achieve this, it must be ensured that the protective sheath does not impede the axial mobility of the tension cable, since otherwise the stick would not be able to be fixed in the assembled position. On the other hand, however, it must be ensured that the protective sheath is not displaced in the stick, since otherwise it would be likely to be displaced from the required area surrounding the tension cable. The core idea of ​​the present invention is therefore to provide a plug-in connection arrangement which allows simple assembly and which comprises means for fixing the protective sheath in the required area, but which nevertheless allows for fixing in such a way that it can be repaired and replaced over the long term.

[0012] More specifically, the folding stick according to the invention is a folding stick comprising at least three tubular parts, which in the assembled state of the folding stick are interconnected by a plug-in connection mechanism and aligned along the stick axis, and in the folded state at least two or at least three tubular parts are interconnected only by movable connecting elements in the form of tension cables, whereby generally the stick handle is arranged in the uppermost tubular part and the stick tip is arranged in the lowermost tubular part.

[0013] At least one of the bayonet connections is formed by a locking system in the form of an external tightening mechanism and / or a form-fitting latching device that is fixed to the first tubular portion such that a second tubular portion, having an outer diameter smaller than or approximately equal to the inner diameter of the first tubular portion and supported so as to be substantially movable within the first tubular portion, can be fixed in a relative axial position by the locking system.

[0014] In this case, at least one further plug-in connection is designed as a pure plug-in connection which fixes the tubular parts in only one axial direction in the assembled state, and the at least one tubular part participating in the pure plug-in connection is interconnected at least by a tension cable which is generally fixed to the lowermost tubular part and to the upper tubular part or to the uppermost tubular part and is arranged so as to extend through the interior of the at least one tubular part participating in the pure plug-in connection.

[0015] The folding stick is designed such that it can be moved from the folded state to the assembled state by mating the further plug-in connections with each other, then releasing the locking system, pulling the second tubular part out of the first tubular part, tensioning the tension cables and securing the locking system.

[0016] At least one further plug-in connection is designed in one tubular part with a guide plug having an axially extending central through-opening for the tension cable, fixedly fixed in said tubular part by a fixing part and having at its axially opposite end a plug region which is exposed in the folded state and which can be inserted into the other tubular part, both the fixing part and the plug region having a through-opening for the tension cable.

[0017] A closure plug having an axial through opening for the tension cable is preferably removably attached in the plug region and closes said plug region against the subsequent tubular part, said closure plug having an axial slot through which the tension cable can be introduced radially into the axial through opening.

[0018] According to the invention, the design is characterized in that in at least one pure plug-in connection, a tubular protective sheath is provided surrounding the tension cable and is held in a form-fitting manner in or against the closure plug, the inner diameter of the through opening in the protective sheath for the tension cable being such that the tension cable is provided to slide in the protective sheath, i.e. the axial mobility of the tension cable is substantially not hindered by the protective sheath.

[0019] A first preferred embodiment of this design is characterized in that in the assembled state, the free end of the protective sheath does not extend to the end of the subsequent tubular part into which the plug region is inserted, but preferably extends up to 2 / 3 of the length of the subsequent tubular part, particularly preferably up to 1 / 2 or 1 / 3 of the length of the subsequent tubular part, in other words, if there are several pure plug-in connections, there are also several protective sheaths of this kind, one for each plug-in connection.

[0020] The protective sheath preferably comprises means for producing a form-fit connection, which may be designed in such a way that the protective sheath, at its end facing the closure plug, has at least one radially outwardly projecting, preferably partially or completely annular, widening for a form-fit connection to the closure plug.

[0021] At least one recess or groove, preferably an annular groove, into which such an expansion portion engages may be provided in the axial through opening of the closure plug, the expansion portion being preferably arranged at the end of the protective sheath that is closer to the closure plug.

[0022] This is preferably an annular groove in the closure plug, which is preferably split in half in the longitudinal direction, and has a radial depth in the range of 0.5-3 mm, preferably in the range of 1-2 mm and / or an axial width in the range of 0.5-4 mm, preferably in the range of 1-3 mm, the annular groove being preferably designed as a groove with a square cross section or as a groove with a rounded cross-sectional contour.

[0023] According to another preferred embodiment, the widened portion has a radial length protruding beyond the cylindrical outer surface of the protective sheath in the range of 0.5 to 3 mm, preferably in the range of 1 to 2 mm.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the protective sheath preferably has two radial widenings spaced apart from one another in the axial direction, the distance between the radial faces facing one another preferably substantially corresponds to the axial length of the closure plug, so that these radial faces are brought into contact with the radial closure faces of the closure plug. In this embodiment, the two widenings, as it were, axially sandwich the closure plug from both sides, and thus a form-fit connection is provided.

[0025] The surface of the widening portion closer to the subsequent tubular portion is preferably designed as a conical widening portion which widens from the cylindrical outer circumferential surface to the maximum radial extent of the widening portion.

[0026] According to another preferred embodiment, the protective sheath has an axial through opening with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the tension cable, the protective sheath preferably having an inner diameter in the range of 0.75 to 3 mm, preferably in the range of 1 to 2.5 mm, in particular in the range of 1.25 to 2 mm, and the tension cable has an outer diameter in the range of 0.3 to 2.5 mm, preferably in the range of 0.5 to 1 mm.

[0027] Typically, the protective sheath is made of a soft thermoplastic material, preferably produced by an extrusion or injection molding process, the material being preferably PU or silicone or plasticized thermoplastic PVC, or preferably a crosslinked or non-crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer selected from the group of silicone, thermoplastic polyamide elastomers, thermoplastic copolyester elastomers, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic styrene block copolymers, in particular SBS, SEBS, SEEPS or MBS, the material of the protective sheath being preferably transparent or translucent, which allows the underlying tension cable to be seen. The sheath is preferably a PVC tube. The tension cable is a flexible but low-elongation tension cable, preferably having a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 mm, and is made of a braid of UHMWPE fibers, for example obtained by gel extrusion spinning, or is encapsulated or provided with a thermoplastic coating.

[0028] Tension cables are typically made of a flexible material that is both tensile resistant and inelastic in the longitudinal direction.

[0029] The flexible but low-stretch tension cable is made, for example, of low-stretch synthetic fibers, for example ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE or PE-UHMW or high-modulus polyethylene = HMPE), m- or p-aramid or the like, and is monofilament and / or braided and / or sheathed. Another possibility is an optionally sheathed wire cable. The tension cable preferably has a thickness of 0.25 to 6 mm, preferably 0.4 to 3 mm, particularly preferably 0.5 to 2 mm. To ensure the tensile strength of the tension cable, suitable are, for example, multifilaments consisting of several monofilaments arranged parallel to one another, for example made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE or PE-UHMW or high-modulus polyethylene = HMPE), optionally encapsulated in a support material, or multifilaments consisting of several braided monofilaments, for example made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE or PE-UHMW or high-modulus polyethylene = HMPE), optionally encapsulated individually and / or as a braid in a support material. A chain-like tension cable is also possible, so that the individual tubular parts with the two upper tubular parts fitted together are loosely connected in this position, which is advantageous for the transport of the individual parts and for preventing loss.

[0030] A fastening mechanism is securable to the first tubular portion, and a second tubular portion having an outer diameter less than or approximately equal to the inner diameter of the first tubular portion and supported for substantial movement within the first tubular portion is securable in relative axial position by the external fastening mechanism. A form-fitting latching device is formed on the second tubular portion, the second tubular portion having an outer diameter less than or approximately equal to the inner diameter of the first tubular portion, insertable within the first tubular portion and securable in relative axial position by the form-fitting latching device.

[0031] As a preferred option, each closure plug having an axial through opening is removably screwed, pressed and / or hooked into the plug region, preferably by means of a latching element or a bayonet catch, to close this plug region against the following tubular part.

[0032] The folding stick is, for example, a folding stick with at least four or at least five tubular parts, in which in the assembled state at least three tubular parts are interconnected only by movable connecting elements and can be connected by further plug-in connecting mechanisms, each closure plug with an axial through opening is removably mounted in the plug area, preferably screwed in, closing this plug area against the following tubular part, and each closure plug has an axial slot through which a tension cable can be introduced radially into the through opening.

[0033] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that two or three lowermost tubular sections are interconnected by said pure plug connection mechanism, the subsequent tubular section or the uppermost tubular section of the three tubular sections having a closure plug at its upper end, the tension cable being fixed in said uppermost closure plug.

[0034] Furthermore, the proposed foldable stick may be characterized in that there is a further tubular part above the first tubular part, into which the first tubular part can be inserted and which can be fixed in various positions, preferably infinitely variably, in the axial direction by an external fastening mechanism, the first tubular part is preferably connected to said further tubular part by a further tension cable, so that when the external fastening mechanism is released, the first tubular part cannot be pulled out of the further tubular part beyond a defined end position, the further tension cable is preferably removably, preferably non-rotatably, fixed to the upper end of the further tubular part or to a handle fixed to said upper end, and the fixation of the further tension cable can be preferably releasable by releasing the fixation of the further tension cable from the outside in a non-destructive manner, for example by means of a hook connection, optionally after removing the cover from the handle.

[0035] The closure plug is preferably of a one-piece design.

[0036] As an alternative, the closure plug has an axial slot, which has a given width but is preferably expandable against a restoring force, through which a tension cable with a protective sheath can be introduced radially into the through opening and through which the protective sheath can be fixed in a form-fitting manner to the closure plug.

[0037] However, as another alternative, the closure plug is designed to consist of two closure plug halves, preferably as a flexible one-piece component consisting of two closure plug halves connected preferably via a film hinge, which connects the closure plug halves only on one side of the through opening.

[0038] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for assembling or repairing a folding stick as described above, which preferably comprises at least one step of expanding the closure plug and the opening of the slot, inserting a tension cable fitted with a protective sheath into the through opening and closing the closure plug again, characterized in that during the process a form-fitting connection between the closure plug and the protective sheath is established, the closure plug is fixed in the plug area and, in the case of several pure plug-in connection mechanisms, one protective sheath is attached per plug-in connection mechanism, preferably surrounding the same tension cable.

[0039] Further embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0040] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, which are merely intended to illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1] 1A-1D show a first exemplary embodiment, in which a) shows the stick in an assembled state with five tubular parts, b) shows the stick in a folded state, in which the two lower tubular parts are loosely arranged and are only connected via tension cables, the three upper tubular parts are fitted together as far as possible, and the two uppermost tubular parts are fixed relative to each other in their axial position by an external tightening mechanism, d) is a detail view according to Z in c), e) is an exploded view of the guide plug, and f) is a perspective view of the exploded guide plug. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 shows the two essential steps of the assembly of the guide plug, on the left side an axial section in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the drawing shown in FIG. 1e) and on the right side the corresponding elevational view, but the tension cable is not shown in either case. [Diagram 3]1c) and b) two essential steps of the assembly placed in the guide plug, on the left side an axial section in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the drawing shown in FIG. 1e) and on the right side the corresponding elevational view, but without the tension cable in either case. [Figure 4] 1c) and b) two essential steps of the assembly placed in the guide plug, on the left side an axial section in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the drawing shown in FIG. 1e) and on the right side the corresponding elevational view, but without the tension cable being shown in either case. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a foldable stick 1, where a) shows the stick in an assembled state with five tubular parts, b) shows the stick in a folded state, where the two lower tubular parts are loosely arranged and are only connected via a tension cable, the three upper tubular parts are fitted together as far as possible, and the two uppermost tubular parts are fixed relative to each other in their axial position by an external tightening mechanism, d) is a detail view according to Z in c), e) is an exploded view of the guide plug, and f) is a perspective view of the exploded guide plug.

[0043] The folding stick 1 has five tubular parts, namely a lowermost tubular part 9 to which a stick tip 23 with a tip element 24 is fixed at its lower end, a tubular intermediate part 8' which is followed in an upward direction by a further second tubular part 8 which is followed by a first tubular part 7 and an uppermost tubular part 7' to which a stick handle 2 is fixed at its upper end. The stick handle 2, preferably designed as described in WO 2022 / 012964, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, typically has a handle head 57 closed by a cap 58. This handle head 57 is a handle head whose loops can be adjusted to different lengths by means of a corresponding mechanism. The stick handle 2 has a handle area 6 below the handle head 57.

[0044] The three lowest tubular sections 8, 8', 9 are interconnected by a pure plug-in connection mechanism. In the connection region, the three tubular sections 8, 8', 9 each have the same diameter, in which case a guide plug 17 is present in the lower tubular section. This guide plug 17 is fixed to the respective lower tubular section by means of a fastening region 17', above which there is an actual plug region 49 with an outer diameter that substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of the next tubular section following in the upward direction. In each case, the guide plug has a through opening through which a tension cable 16 is passed, which connects the tubular sections that are to be connected at least via a pure plug-in connection mechanism.

[0045] In the illustrated configuration, the lowermost plug-in connection in the lowermost tubular part 9 is designed so that the tension cable 16 is fixed in the guide plug, more specifically against the return action of a spiral feeder 39 terminated by a guide or termination element 41, thus allowing the tension cable to be fixed below by a fold or, as shown, by a knot. The fixing area 17' is typically bonded or pressed into the tubular part and cannot be easily removed without destruction. The fixing area is integrally formed with the actual plug area 49. At the upper end of this plug area 49, the closure plug 18 is present. This closure plug 18 is typically removably attached in this plug area by means of a screw, bayonet or clamp connection. The closure plug 18 is described in more detail below. This closure plug 18 is provided with a protective sheath 61 by means of a form-fitting connection. This sheath has a through opening inside which the tension cable 16 can slide substantially friction-free. In the illustrated configuration, the protective sheath is designed only as a short tubular section, for example made of PU or silicone, which extends well into the next tubular section above it, but only so far that in the folded state it covers the entire exposed part of the tension cable 16 that is not located in the interior 31 of the following tube, and the first interior region in the following tube. In the upper tubular section, a tube closing collar 19 is present, the contact surface 20 of which in the assembled state is in contact with a corresponding contact surface 22 of a special element in the form of a tube closing collar 15 on the lower tube 9 or else with a flange of the closing plug 18. It is also possible that two tubes are adjacent to each other in this position.

[0046] The plug-in connection between the additional tubular intermediate part 8' and the second tubular part 8 is designed similarly, but in the illustrated configuration the tension cable passes freely through the plug-in connection. Here too there is a closure plug 18 removably mounted in the plug area 49 of the corresponding plug-in connection 17. A protective sheath 61 is provided for the plug-in connection, the length of which is set in such a way that when the stick is folded, as shown in figures b) and c), the free end 5 of the protective sheath 61 is always located inside the tube 31. A tube closure collar 15 is provided on the underside of the second tubular part 8, which is inserted in the first tubular part 7. The outside diameter of the second tubular part 8 corresponds approximately to the inside diameter of the first tubular part 7, and in order to tension the cable 16 when the tubular parts 8, 8', 9 are assembled, the second tubular part 8 is pulled out of the first tubular part 7 to the maximum extent. The lower end of the first tubular part 7 is provided with a latching device, for example of the type described in WO 2018 / 224417, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In this latching device there is a spring-elastic locking device 43, the lower end of which has a radially extending edge which engages in an annular groove 69 in the closure plug 34 when the tube 8 is pulled out of the tube 7 to its maximum extent.

[0047] The uppermost tubular part 7' has the largest inner diameter and the first tubular part 7 is inserted into this uppermost tubular part 7'. The relative axial position of these two tubular parts can be fixed by an external clamping mechanism 7, preferably of a design of the kind described in WO 2015 / 044012, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. In this clamping mechanism there is a clamping lever 11, which engages via a substantially axially extending spindle with a clamping spindle 12 extending perpendicularly to the stick axis 32, while the eccentric part of the clamping lever rests on a washer provided on a projection provided in a slotted clamping area 14 below the annular holding area 13.

[0048] The upper end of the tension cable 16 is fixed in a first tubular portion 7, which is provided at its lower end with a locking device 50, and more particularly in an upper fixing plug 27 having a central through opening 28 and an enlarged area 29 above the through opening 28 in which a knot 30 or fold is provided for fixing the cable.

[0049] The closure plug 18 consists of two closure plug halves 96, which are connected together by a film hinge 93. The conical closure plug halves 96 are designed substantially symmetrically and are separated by a central axial imaginary dividing plane. When the two halves 96 are rotated relative to one another about the film hinge 93, an axial through opening 64 is formed and a slot 63 is provided by the spacing between the contact surfaces. When the conical closure plug 18 is screwed into the plug region 49 by means of the external thread 68, the slot 63 is closed by the contact between the contact surfaces. In order to ensure the most accurate possible positioning of the two halves relative to one another, which is particularly important because of the external thread 68, it is possible, as shown, to provide the contact surfaces with positioning projections 94 and corresponding positioning recesses 95 (in the form of blind holes), which may be designed as a latching connection. Other form-fitting and / or frictional connections are also possible, but these connections must be detachable.

[0050] In this case, the film hinge 93 is arranged only on one axial end face 97, i.e., on only one side of the through opening 64 formed in the assembled state, thus making it possible to open the axial slot 63 and insert the tension cable 16 together with the protective sheath 61.

[0051] Furthermore, the closure plug 18 has an annular groove 3 at its axial through opening 64, into which a fixed widening 21 at the lower end of the protective sheath 61 engages, so that the protective sheath 61 is fixed to the closure plug 18 by form-fitting and the tension cable 16 is displaced in the protective sheath 61 without slipping, even if a certain friction occurs during this process. The protective sheath 61 therefore remains in the required position.

[0052] In FIG. 2 the essential steps of assembly are shown, the tension cable being not shown for the sake of a clearer view of the drawing. In the first step on the top side, the closure plug 18 is provided in an open form. The protective sheath 61 is screwed onto the tension cable 16 or already pre-attached to it and moved into the required position, then the two are inserted into the axial through-opening 64 so that the fixed widening 21 can be placed in the groove 3, the outer surface 35 or the central area 40 of the protective sheath 61 resting against the inner surface of the axial through-opening 64. The part of the closure plug 18 shown on the left side in the figure is then folded back to the right and up according to the arrow shown, after which the contact surfaces of the two halves are placed against each other and the positioning projection 94 engages in the positioning recess 95. The closure plug 18 with the protective sheath 61 fixed in a form-fitting manner can then be screwed by means of the external thread 68 into the corresponding internal thread provided in the plug area 49. Instead of this kind of male thread, the split closure plug may have two opposing point-like projections which engage in two corresponding holes, for example in the form of bayonet catches, provided in the plug area. The height of the point-like projections may, however, be somewhat greater than the wall thickness of the plug area. In this case, the closure plug may be manufactured from a somewhat softer material to ensure that it is elastically deformed during positioning in the plug area and snaps into the corresponding holes. The point-like projections thus additionally fulfill the function of play and sound damping.

[0053] In Fig. 3, another exemplary embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, everything is designed basically the same as in the first exemplary embodiment, the only difference being the configuration of the protective sheath. In this embodiment, the protective sheath has two further radial widenings, which are provided for fastening to the closure plug. In addition to the already described widening 21, which is provided for engaging in the groove 3, there is a terminal widening edge 26 and a second widening edge 37, which is provided on the side closer to the next tubular part. The first widening edge 26 and the second widening edge 37 are axially spaced apart by just enough to ensure that they clamp the axial length of the closure plug 18. In other words, the radially extending inner stop surface 26' of the first widened edge portion 26 is in stop contact with the surface 97 in the assembled state, and the radially extending inner stop surface 37' of the second widened edge portion 37 is in stop contact with the surface 4 of the closure plug in the assembled state. This clamping, in addition to the engagement of the widened portion 21 in the groove 3, ensures a stable, form-fitting connection between the closure plug 18 and the protective sheath 61.

[0054] 4 shows that it is also possible to dispense with the groove 3 and the corresponding fixed widening 21 if two widening edges 26, 37 are provided. In the illustrated configuration, the form-fit connection between the closure plug 18 and the protective sheath 61 is achieved without special measures in the configuration of the closure plug 18, the protective sheath 61 being form-fittingly fixed to the closure plug 18 by clamping the closure plug 18 between the first widening edge 26 and the second widening edge 37. The conical widening region 38 ensures that there is a smooth transition between the cylindrical outer surface 35 of the protective sheath and the radially outermost region of the second widening edge 37. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 Folding Stick 2 Stick Handle 3 Circular groove provided at 64 4 18 end faces 5 61 free end 6. Handle area 2 7 First tubular part 7' Uppermost tubular section, additional tubular section 8 Second tubular section 8' additional tubular midsection 9 Lower tubular part 10 External fastening mechanism 11 Clamping lever 12 Clamping spindle 13 10 circular retention regions 14 10 slotted clamping areas 15 Tube closure collar 16 Tension Cable 17 Guide plug or plug-in connection mechanism 17' 17 fastening areas to each lower tube with through openings 17'' plug area with through hole 18 Closure plug 19 Tube closure collar 19 contact surfaces with 20 22 61 fixed widening portion for engaging within 21 3 22 Contact surface 23 Stick tip 24 Tip Element 25 18 stop face 26 First widened edge portion for stop contact with 97 26' The radially extending stop surface of 26 27 Retaining element or upper fixing plug for 16 28 Central through-hole in 27 for 16 29 The widening area 28 provided in the upper part of 27 30 Knots in 16 31 Inside the Tube 32 Stick axis 33 Washer 34 Closure plug 35 61 exterior 36 Axial through opening for 16 provided in 17 37 Second widened edge portion for stop contact with 4 37' 37's radially extending stop surface 38 37 conical widening area 39 Coil spring 40 61 central region Guide or end element for 41 39 42 17 / 18 conically tapered area 43 50 Rocca 49 17 plug areas 50 Latching device 57 Handle Head 58 57 Cap 61 Protective sheath 63 18 has an axially extending slot 64 axial through opening at 18 68 18 external threads / annular ribs 69 34 Circular groove 93 Film hinge 94 Positioning protrusion 95 Positioning recess 96 Conical Closure Plug Half Body 97 Axial end face

Claims

1. A foldable stick (1) comprising at least three tubular sections (7-9), which in an assembled state of the foldable stick (1) are interconnected by a bayonet connection mechanism and aligned along a stick axis (32), and in a folded state at least two or at least three tubular sections (8, 8', 9) are interconnected only by movable connecting elements in the form of tension cables (16), with a stick handle (2) arranged in the uppermost tubular section (7, 7') and a stick tip (23) arranged in the lowermost tubular section (9), at least one of the bayonet connections is formed by a locking system in the form of an external tightening mechanism (10) and / or a form-fit latching device (50); the locking system is fixed to the first tubular portion (7), and a second tubular portion (8) having an outer diameter smaller than or approximately equal to the inner diameter of the first tubular portion (7) and supported so as to be substantially movable within the first tubular portion (7) can be fixed in a relative axial position by the locking system; at least one further plug-in connection is designed as a pure plug-in connection which fixes the tubular section (8, 8', 9) in only one axial direction in the assembled state, At least the tubular sections (7-9) participating in the pure plug-in connection mechanism are interconnected by at least the tension cable (16), which is fixed to the lowermost tubular section (9) and is fixed to the upper tubular section (7) or the uppermost tubular section (7) and is arranged so as to extend through the interiors (31) of at least the tubular sections (8-9) participating in the pure plug-in connection mechanism, the folding stick (1) is designed to be able to be moved from the folded state to the assembled state by mating the further bayonet connections with one another, then releasing the locking system, pulling the second tubular part (8) out of the first tubular part (7), tensioning the tension cable (16) and securing the locking system, the at least one further plug-in connection mechanism is designed to have a guide plug (17) in one tubular part, the guide plug (17) having an axially extending central through-opening (36) for the tension cable (16), fixedly fixed in the one tubular part by a fixing part (17'), and having at its axially opposite end a plug region (49, 17'') which is exposed in the folded state and which can be inserted into the other tubular part, the fixing part (17') and the plug region (49, 17'') having through-openings for the tension cable (16); a closure plug (18) having an axial through-opening (64) is preferably removably mounted in the plug region (49, 17"), closing the plug region against the following tubular section, the closure plug (18) having an axial slot (63) through which the tension cable (16) can be introduced radially into the axial through-opening (64); In the folding stick (1), In at least one pure plug-in connection, a tubular protective sheath (61) is provided surrounding the tension cable (16) and is held in a form-fitting manner within or against the closure plug (18), the tension cable (16) being arranged to slide within the protective sheath (61). A foldable stick (1) characterized by:

2. in the assembled state, the free end (5) of the protective sheath (61) does not extend to the end of the subsequent tubular part into which the plug region (49, 17'') is inserted, 2. A foldable stick (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the free end (5) preferably extends up to two-thirds of the length of the subsequent tubular portion, particularly preferably up to one-half or one-third of the length of the subsequent tubular portion.

3. 3. A foldable stick (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protective sheath (61) has, at its end towards the closure plug (18), at least one widened portion (21, 26, 37) projecting radially outwards, preferably annular, for form-fitting connection to the closure plug (18).

4. the axial through opening (64) of the closure plug (18) has at least one recess or groove (3), preferably an annular groove, into which the widened portion (21) engages; 4. Foldable stick (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the widened portion (21) is preferably arranged at the end of the protective sheath (61) that is closer to the closure plug (18).

5. said grooves being annular grooves (3) preferably designed as grooves of square cross section, with a depth in the range of 0.5 to 3 mm, preferably in the range of 1 to 2 mm, and / or an axial width in the range of 0.5 to 4 mm, preferably in the range of 1 to 3 mm; 5. A foldable stick (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the widened portion (21) has a radial length in the range of 0.5 to 3 mm, preferably in the range of 1 to 2 mm, by which length the widened portion (21) protrudes beyond the cylindrical outer surface (35) of the protective sheath (61).

6. 2. A foldable stick (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective sheath (61) has two radially widened portions (26, 37) spaced apart from each other in the axial direction, the distance between the opposing radial surfaces (26', 37') substantially corresponding to the axial length of the closure plug (18), so that the radial surfaces (26', 37') are brought into contact with the radial closure surfaces (4, 97) of the closure plug (18).

7. 7. A folding stick (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the surface (38) of the widened portion (37) towards the subsequent tubular portion is designed as a conical widened portion (38) widening from the cylindrical outer surface (35) to the maximum radial extent of the widened portion (38).

8. The protective sheath (61) has an axial through opening with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the tension cable (16); the protective sheath (61) preferably has an inner diameter in the range of 0.75 to 3 mm, preferably in the range of 1 to 2.5 mm, in particular in the range of 1.25 to 2 mm; Foldable stick (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tension cable (16) has an outer diameter in the range of 0.3 to 2.5 mm, preferably in the range of 0.5 to 1 mm.

9. the protective sheath (61) is made of a thermoplastic material, preferably produced by an extrusion or injection molding process, the material being preferably a crosslinked or non-crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer selected from the group of thermoplastic polyamide elastomers, thermoplastic copolyester elastomers, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic styrene block copolymers, in particular SBS, SEBS, SEEPS or MBS, the material being preferably transparent or translucent; and / or the tension cable (16) is made of a flexible material that is longitudinally tension-resistant and inelastic. A folding stick (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is

10. The clamping mechanism (10) is fixed to the first tubular portion (7), and a second tubular portion (8) having an outer diameter smaller than or approximately equal to the inner diameter of the first tubular portion (7) and supported so as to be substantially movable within the first tubular portion (7) can be fixed in a relative axial position by the external clamping mechanism (10); The form-fitting latching device (50) is formed on a second tubular portion (8) having an outer diameter smaller than or approximately equal to the inner diameter of the first tubular portion (7), the second tubular portion (8) being insertable into the first tubular portion (7) and fixable in the relative axial position by the form-fitting latching device. A folding stick (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is

11. each closure plug (18) having an axial through opening (64) is removably screwed, press-fit and / or hooked into said plug region (49, 17"), preferably by means of a latching element or a bayonet catch, to close said plug region against said subsequent tubular portion; and / or the folding stick (1) comprises at least four or at least five tubular sections (7-9), in which in the assembled state at least three tubular sections (8, 8', 9) are interconnected only by movable connecting elements (16) and can be connected by means of said further bayonet connection mechanism, each closure plug (18) having an axial through-opening (64) is removably mounted, preferably screwed, in said plug area (49, 17'') to close said plug area relative to the following tubular section, each closure plug (18) having an axial slot (63) through which the tension cable (16) can be introduced radially into said through-opening (64). A folding stick (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is

12. 2. A foldable stick (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the two or three lowest tubular sections (8, 8', 9) are interconnected by the pure plug-in connection mechanism, and the subsequent tubular section (7) or the uppermost tubular section (7) of the three tubular sections has a closure plug (27) at its upper end, and the tension cable (16) is fixed in the uppermost closure plug (27).

13. 2. The foldable stick (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that above the first tubular part (7) there is a further tubular part (7') into which the first tubular part (7) can be inserted and which can be fixed in an infinitely variably axial position by an external tightening mechanism (10), the first tubular part (7) is preferably connected to the further tubular part (7') by a further tension cable, so that the first tubular part (7) cannot be pulled out of the further tubular part (7') when the external tightening mechanism (10) is released, the further tension cable being preferably detachably, preferably non-rotatably, fixed to an upper end of the further tubular part or to a handle fixed to said upper end, the fixation of the further tension cable being releasable from the outside in a non-destructive manner, for example by a hook connection, optionally after removing a cover from the handle.

14. The closure plug (18) is of one-piece design, an axial slot (63) having a predetermined width but preferably expandable against a restoring force, through which the tension cable (16) with its protective sheath (61) can be introduced radially into the through opening (64) and which allows the protective sheath (61) to be fixed in a form-fitting manner to the closure plug (18); Alternatively, the flexible component preferably comprises two closure plug halves (96) connected via a film hinge (93), said film hinge (93) connecting said closure plug halves (96) only on one side of said through opening (64). A folding stick (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is

15. 2. A method for assembling or repairing a folding stick (1) according to claim 1, comprising at least one step of expanding the closure plug (18) by opening the slot (63), inserting the tension cable (16) with the attached protective sheath (61) into the through opening (64) and reclosing the closure plug (18), in the process establishing a form-fit connection between the closure plug (18) and the protective sheath (61) and fixing the closure plug (18) in the plug area (49, 17''), characterized in that in the case of several purely plug-in connection mechanisms, each individual protective sheath (61) is attached, preferably surrounding the same tension cable.

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