Foldable pole

Abstract

A folding pole 1 has four or five tubular sections 7-9, which, when the folding pole 1 is assembled, are connected to one another by plug-in connections and are oriented along the pole axis 32, and when the pole is folded, at least two or three tubular sections 8, 8', 9 are connected to one another only by movable connecting members 16, with the pole handle 2 being located in the top tubular section 7 and the pole tip 23 being located in the bottom tubular section 9. The folding pole is characterized in that conical closure plugs 18 having an axial through-hole 64 are removably inserted, preferably screwed, into the plug areas 49, 17'' of the plug-in connections to close the plug areas 49, 17'' against the following tubular sections, and each of these conical closure plugs 18 has an axial slit 63 through which the pull cable 16 can be introduced radially into the through-hole 64.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Particularly, but not exclusively, in the field of hiking or Nordic walking, pole designs are known that are adjustable in length. This adjustability can be used, on the one hand, to adjust the length of the pole according to requirements, and on the other hand, to reduce the pole to a minimum storage size, i.e., the pole can also be configured to be so small and reduced in length that it can be stored, for example, in a backpack or the like. Such designs are known, for example, from US Pat. No. 5,399,411 or from US Pat. No. 5,499,421 or US Pat. No. 5,523,636, in which a so-called inner tube of small diameter is displaceably mounted in an outer tube of somewhat larger diameter, the relative position of the tube parts being fixed by a fixing mechanism.

[0003] When using such a design it is essential that the individual tube sections have different diameters, plus it is necessary to ensure that the tubes can actually be displaced significantly when inserted one into the other so that a particularly small storage size can be achieved.

[0004] This can result in the pole becoming very thin, especially in the lower region where the thinnest tubes are usually located, and therefore not having a sufficient level of inherent stiffness for some applications.In addition, the designs disclosed in the above mentioned documents are often not well received by users, since the relative positions of the individual pole tubes must be ensured by rotating them relative to one another, which requires the manual application of a corresponding rotational force.

[0005] Alternative mechanisms, in which the axial position of the different tube sections relative to one another is not fixed by an internal fixing mechanism, are known, for example, from US Pat. No. 5,399,431 or from US Pat. No. 5,499,461 or from US Pat. No. 5,499,471 or from US Pat. No. 5,523,363. However, these external designs are often not suitable for displaceably mounting three or more pole tubes inserted into one another, which may result in a storage size that is not small enough.

[0006] So-called folding poles are known, for example from US Pat. No. 5,399,633, in which the individual pole segments are connected by plug-fit connections. In this case, the pole segments can have essentially the same diameter and are connected to one another via a pull cable, so that when the individual pole segments are fitted together, they are rigidly connected to one another as a result of this pull cable being under tension. The problem with these designs is that the individual pole segments need to be connected to one another with a flexible pull cable, which needs to pass through these segments. Such designs mean that they are not easy to manufacture and maintain, and are also difficult to assemble according to different customer requirements. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] German Utility Model No. 29706849 [Patent Document 2] German Patent No. 49708829 [Patent Document 3] European Patent Application Publication No. 1450906 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2010 / 085905 [Patent Document 5] German patent no. 69401765 [Patent Document 6] European Patent Application Publication No. 1217224 [Patent Document 7] European Patent Application Publication No. 0098898 [Patent Document 8] International Publication No. 2012 / 104424 Summary of the Invention

[0008] Here, the present invention is provided. The object of the present invention is to provide an improved folding pole, especially in terms of modularity, simplicity in terms of assembly, simplicity in terms of modification, and simplicity in terms of repair or replacement of parts.

[0009] This object is achieved by a folding pole as claimed in the patent claims.

[0010] In particular, the present invention relates to a foldable pole having at least three or at least four, preferably five tubes, in which in an assembled state of the foldable pole the tubes are rigidly connected to each other with plug fitting connections so as to be oriented along the pole axis, and in a folded state at least two or at least three tubes are connected to each other only via movable connecting members, the pole handle being located in the top tube and the pole tip being located in the bottom tube.

[0011] At least one of the plug-fit connections is now realized by means of an external clamping mechanism and / or a form-fit latching device.

[0012] It is also possible for one connection to be designed in the form of an external clamping mechanism, e.g. with a lever, and for the further connection to be designed in the form of a form-fitting latching device (arranged externally or internally). In this case, the external clamping mechanism is preferably arranged closer to the shank or on the tube part on which the pole shank is arranged, and the connection consisting of the form-fitting latching device follows in the downward direction.

[0013] The clamping mechanism is fixed to the first tube section, and the second tube section has an outer diameter smaller than or approximately equal to the inner diameter of the first tube section and is itself displaceably mounted within the first tube section, and the second tube section can have its relative axial position fixed by an external clamping mechanism.

[0014] An alternative or additional form-fit latching device may be mounted on the second tube section, the second tube section having an outer diameter smaller than or approximately equal to the inner diameter of the first tube section, and the second tube section may be pressed into the first tube section and the relative axial position may be fixed by the form-fit latching device.

[0015] The further plug-fit connection here is designed in the form of a simple plug-fit connection, in which in the fitted state the tube sections are only fixed in one axial direction when not held together by the pull cable.

[0016] The tube sections are connected to each other via at least one pull cable, which is fixed to the lowest tube section and to the highest tube section and is arranged to extend through the interior spaces of at least two or three central tube sections.

[0017] The folding pole is designed so that it can be brought or moved from the folded state to the assembled state by either fitting the (further) plug fitting connection or sliding one inside the other by continuous pulling of the pull cable, and then with the external clamping mechanism or the latching device released, the second tube section is pulled out of the first tube section to such an extent that the pull cable is tensioned and the external clamping mechanism or the form-fitting latching device is fixed, which also means that the further plug fitting connection is fixed in both directions of the axis.

[0018] Possible latch devices that can be used are available in various designs, for example as a latch device with an external locker, as disclosed in WO 2018 / 224417, and also as an internally arranged latch device, as described in WO 2019 / 129484.

[0019] The latch device can preferably be configured as a clamping device for form-fitting, removable axial fixation of an inner tube that can be pushed into an opening of a clamping device fixed on an outer tube. The clamping device has a surrounding plastic cuff, on the outside of which a clamping lever is attached, such that the clamping lever can be tilted against the restoring force of a spring member via an axial member arranged perpendicular to the pole axis. The plastic cuff has two projections with through openings and / or holes for the axial member, and the clamping lever is attached between these projections so that it can be tilted around the axial member. The plastic cuff has a radial through opening. The clamping lever has a first lever arm with a pressure application area accessible from the outside to release the clamping device and a second lever arm arranged opposite the axial member. The second lever arm has a clamping projection arranged essentially radially relative to the pole axis, which engages through a radial through-opening of the plastic cuff into an axial through-hole of the plastic cuff and engages in a form-fitting manner into a groove or hole of the inner tube or a guide insert connected to the inner tube in order to axially fix the two tubes. However, it is also possible to clamp the inner tube into the outer tube by means of technical solutions different from those described above.

[0020] The or at least one of the further plug-fitting connections is designed in one of the tube sections with a guide stub, which is provided with an axially extending central through hole for the pull cable and is rigidly fixed to said tube section by a fixing section and has on the axially opposite side a stub region which is exposed in the folded state of the pole and can be pressed into the other tube section, the fixing section and the stub region having an axial through hole for the pull cable.

[0021] In the stub region, each plug-fit connection has a conical end stub with an axial through hole for the pull cable, which is removably fixed, for example screwed or hung, in the stub region to close the stub region against the following tube section, and each conical end stub, or at least one of these, has an axial slot through which the pull cable can be introduced radially into the through hole.

[0022] The axial slots for radially introducing the pull cable into the through hole may become exposed, i.e., exposed or open, when the conical termination stub is removed from the stub area.

[0023] The axial slot of the conical end stub can be designed in different ways. Usually the conical end stub is made in one piece. As such, as a rigid element it has an essentially predefined width and can have an axial slot through which the pull cable can be introduced radially into the through hole when the conical end stub is removed from the stub area.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, the conical termination stub may have, as a flexible element, an axial slot of variable width which, when removed from the stub region, is expanded, preferably against a certain restoring force, to radially introduce the pull cable into the through hole.

[0025] The axial slot can also be provided by a conical end stub as a flexible element with two conical end stub halves, preferably connected via a film hinge. The film hinge connects the two conical end stub halves only on one side of the through hole. Such a conical end stub part can also be formed as two parts, i.e. without a film hinge, but it should be ensured that positioning aids are provided so that the two halves are correctly positioned relative to each other in the assembled state, which is important in particular if an external thread is provided for fixing in the guide stub. The conical end stub halves here are preferably of essentially symmetrical design and are defined by a central axial separation plane. Such a conical end stub can be removed from the stub area (for example by twisting it off) and can then be pivoted open to a certain extent via the film hinge so as to expose the axial slot. However, it is not essential that the conical end stub is fully pivoted open. The two halves need only widen to a certain extent in the vicinity of the axial slot in order to open the conical end stub for the introduction of the pull cable. Here, the film hinge is preferably provided on the axial end face of the conical end stub. In the mounted / screwed state of the conical end stub, the parallel clearance of the axial slot is zero or smaller in a partial region of the thread. It is thus possible, for example, to transmit the tightening by force fitting to the last thread and thus to prevent undesired unscrewing of the end stub. In the case of film hinges, it is usually the case that the abutment surfaces butt parallel to one another (i.e. the slot barely opens when the stub is in the mounted state, but can open when the stub is removed). In addition, if the abutment surfaces extend slightly conically to one another, a locking effect can be achieved with a slight increase in the outside diameter (since these surfaces butt parallel to one another during the mounting operation). Of course, this can also occur if the faces remain parallel to one another and the external thread of the end stub increases (in partial areas).

[0026] In this specification, "removable", particularly with respect to the conical end stub, should be understood to mean that the conical end stub can be separated in a non-destructive manner, possibly reversibly with a tool, e.g. without the need to release a strong material bond such as an adhesive (except for e.g. removable thread locking fluids, etc.). For example, the conical end stub can be released or unscrewed by a latch connection and can also be re-latched or screwed on.

[0027] The proposed design with the conical end stub, which may have or be provided with an axially extending transverse slot that allows the pull cable to be inserted into and removed from the through-hole and which can be removed by releasing the latch connection or twisted off, allows such a folding pole to be easily disassembled in a reversible manner without destroying the pull cable. For this, following the release of the plug-fitting connection, in a first step the lowest conical end stub can be unscrewed or separated by releasing the latch connection, after which the pull cable, possibly together with the fixed spring, can be pulled out of the lowest tube section. This sets the lowest tube section free. The conical end stub of the lowest tube section can then be removed from the pull cable by means of the slot in the stub. When the conical end stub of the next following tube section is unscrewed or removed by releasing the latch connection, the axial slot then allows the conical end stub to be separated from the cable and the cable can be pulled through this further following tube section. This also frees the second lowest tube section, which can for example be replaced or exchanged by another one. The transverse slot of the conical end stub can be configured such that the pull cable can be hooked into or unhooked from the through-hole of the conical end stub with little resistance, or it can also be realized by means of a film hinge, as mentioned above, which connects two conical end stub halves, more or less separated axially, on only one side of the through-hole.

[0028] The conical end stub is preferably manufactured in the form of an injection-molded part, for example made of thermoplastic material, examples of possible materials being polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyurethane and mixtures thereof or glass-fiber reinforced versions thereof.

[0029] The stub area can equally well consist of such a material, but can also be manufactured from metal. If it is necessary to provide an internal thread in the stub area, since the conical end stub needs to be screwed into such a thread, this can be provided directly in the stub area, or it is also possible to provide a separate internally threaded insert made of plastic or metal. This internally threaded insert is inserted in the stub area and fixed therein, preferably by gluing and / or press-fitting.

[0030] A first preferred embodiment is characterized in that each conical end stub has a conically tapered area that is exposed when the pole is in the folded state, said conically tapered area having means by which the conical end stub can be gripped and screwed or unscrewed or by which a latch connection can be established or released from it. These means are preferably designed in the form of at least two, or even exactly two, in particular oppositely arranged notches, steps or shoulders (for example machined recesses), with mutually parallel surfaces that form a plane tangent to the axis of the pole.

[0031] These means can be designed in the form of just two oppositely arranged steps or notches, with mutually parallel surfaces forming a plane tangent to the axis of the pole, which surfaces extend parallel to the direction in which the axial slot extends. It is thus possible, for example, to easily unscrew and rescrew the respective conical end stub, or to establish or release the latch connection, using a common open-end wrench.

[0032] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that two or three bottom tubes are connected to one another via the above-mentioned further plug-fitting connections, the subsequent or top tube of the three tubes having a terminating stub at its upper end (the terminating stub has a through hole for the pull cable, which extends freely into this hole and is not fixed), this terminating stub having a head region protruding upwards from the tubes and a neck region rigidly fixing the terminating stub to the tubes, the head region and the neck region being designed in the form of two separate parts that can be removably screwed or hooked, one inserted into the other. This design further increases the ease of maintenance, since the subsequent or top tube can be removed and separated from the pull cable by separating the two lower tubes, as described above, and for example twisting off the head region of the terminating stub, and then simply pulling the cable through this further tube as well. In this way it is also possible to separate the third tube section (or the fourth tube section, if there are four sections with three simple plug-fitting connections) when viewed from below.

[0033] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that a top end stub is provided in the first tube section, and the pull cable is fixed to this top end stub, such that when the pull cable is not taut, the pull cable can be pulled upwards from the top end stub. This is particularly preferably achieved in that the top end stub has at least one stepped through hole with a reduced diameter in the lower region, and the pull cable is preferably captured in this step by a knot or preferably a crimp. This design further increases the ease of maintenance, since when the pull cable is not taut, it is also possible to pull the pull cable upwards from the top end stub. Here too, the head and neck regions of the top end stub can be designed in the form of two separate parts that can be removably screwed together while one is inserted into the other.

[0034] A further tube section may be provided on the first tube section, the first tube section being displaceably pressable into the further tube section and fixed in various axial positions by an external clamping mechanism, the uppermost terminal stub being connected to this further tube section by a further pull cable such that the first tube section cannot be pulled out of the further tube section when the external clamping mechanism is released.

[0035] The further pull cable is preferably removably fixed, preferably against rotation, to the upper end of the further tube or on a handle fixed thereto, and optionally when the cover of the handle is removed, the fixing part of the further pull cable can preferably be released by being set free from the outside in a non-destructive manner, for example by means of a hook connection.

[0036] The pole is preferably a pole having three lower tube segments connected to each other via two simple plug-fit connections and a fourth tube segment following the three lower tube segments, into which the third tube segment engages with a sliding action. The pull cable is tensioned by setting the axial relative position between the third and fourth tube segments to a maximum so as to achieve tension in the pull cable. For this purpose, a clamping mechanism with a form fit is preferably provided between the third and fourth tube segments. There is also preferably a fifth top tube segment, which again has an inner diameter somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the fourth tube, into which the fourth tube is mounted with a sliding action. The pole shank is also fixed to the fifth tube segment. As mentioned above and described in detail below, the axial relative position between the fourth and fifth tube segments can be fixed to be variable, for example by means of an external clamping mechanism, for example with a lever. The clamping mechanism can also be an internal mechanism.

[0037] The fastening of the pull cable in the holder member (located at the bottom, i.e. fixed to the bottom tube) can preferably be of elastically spring-loaded design by providing a (helical or elastomeric) spring in the holder member of the bottom tube, the pull cable being arranged to extend through the inner space of the helical spring. Preferably, at least a certain part of the pull cable, and particularly preferably the entire length of the pull cable in the longitudinal direction, is of tension-resistant and inelastic design. The helical spring preferably has an outer diameter such that it can be pulled through the through-hole of the guide stub without the conical end stub and through the end stub without the head region.

[0038] The pull cable is preferably made of a flexible, longitudinally tensile-resistant and inelastic material and is preferably provided with a plastic coating or encapsulated in plastic, where the specific configuration of the conical end stub with axial slots makes the prior art sheath of the pull cable with a separate hose unnecessary and even disadvantageous. Such a pull cable with a plastic coating or encapsulated in a plastic layer can optimally be guided in the pole to perform its function, but can also be guided through the conical end stub or its slot.

[0039] Here, a further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the first tube is the top tube and the second tube is a first central tube adjacent to the aforementioned tube in the downward direction. This allows particularly easy handling. In addition, this design also provides an ideal weight distribution along the pole axis, since it usually has the top tube with the largest diameter and has a clamping mechanism at a high position. In the case of a form-fit latching device for tensioning a cable, the first tube is the top or second tube from the top, and the second tube is the first central tube adjacent to the aforementioned tube in the downward direction. The latching device preferably has, for example, a spring-loaded radial latch pin, which is preferably held in the radial through-bore of the second tube so as to project through the bore against the action of the spring. The spring element is preferably a leaf spring, for example a spring plate, and advantageously the latch pin is fixed, for example riveted, to the first end of the leaf spring. Here, the second end of the leaf spring preferably projects in a self-locking manner into a terminal stub channel provided along the longitudinal axis of the pole. The self-locking is achieved, for example, by a barb, which in the case of a spring plate is arranged at the second end of the spring plate. The terminal stub is preferably held at the top of the second tube. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the terminal stub is pressed and fixed by its head into the first tube and has a collar that abuts against the upper end of the second tube. The terminal stub neck, which adjoins the collar at the bottom, is preferably pressed into the second tube in the overlapping area between the first and second tubes.

[0040] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the further plug fitting connection is designed such that in the axial stop position the tube sections connected by the plug fitting connection are fixed against rotation relative to one another around the pole axis, preferably by ensuring the presence of a form-fitting connection which is rotationally fixed and also preferably automatically locking when the plug fitting connections are pressed together in the axial direction. This is particularly important, for example, when the pole tip and the pole shank are both of asymmetric design, i.e. each is specially designed in the walking direction.

[0041] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the tubes are dimensioned (especially with respect to length and especially with respect to the possible depth to which the second uppermost tube fits into the uppermost tube) such that when the pole is in the assembled state, the uppermost central tube can be pushed essentially all the way into the uppermost tube, or pushed so that only a short part remains protruding. This results in a situation in which, in the folded state, in the case of a folding pole with four tubes, the two uppermost tubes are pushed almost completely one into the other, while the two lower tubes can be connected to each other loosely, only via a pull cable, and can also be arranged to a certain extent in a zigzag manner. This results in a minimum storage size.

[0042] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the closure member, here preferably made of plastic, has a head and a neck, which can preferably be fitted into the upper end of the holder member and can be screwed therein by means of an externally threaded bore or can be fitted into the upper end and latched by a rotating action by means of a bayonet closure. For this, the holder member preferably has an internally threaded bore in its upper region. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the closure member is here arranged axially above the helical spring. A guide member is preferably provided as a stop member between the helical spring and the closure member, this guide member or stop member having a radial flange that rests against the helical spring and an axial guide that projects into the helical spring. The radial flange of the stop member here serves as a clear stop or support surface for the closure member. The lower cable attachment means, i.e. the pull cable with a knot or crimp at the bottom, thus constitutes together with the guide member, the helical spring and the closure member a unit that facilitates removal by the user from the pole tube. To replace the cable, the user releases the closure from the holder member, removes the unit and possibly releases the knot or crimp at the lower end of the pull cable (there is no absolute need to release the knot or crimp, since the entire cable unit can be removed). The cable can then be pulled out from the top, preferably through the handle. A further preferred embodiment of the proposed folding pole is characterized in that the further plug-fit connection has, in one tube section, a guide stub, preferably made of plastic in one piece, which is provided with an axially extending through-hole for the pull cable, is rigidly fixed to said tube section by a fastening section and is designed axially opposite to it with a stub area which can be pressed into the other tube section. A preferably radially surrounding, outwardly facing support flange is provided between the fastening section and the stub area, in the fitted state the support flange axially stops against the tube end of the other tube section and / or against a tube end cuff provided thereon.It is preferred that this axial stop feature is formed asymmetrically around the pole axis and / or it is further preferred that the stub region has at least a partial conically tapered region at the end facing towards the other tube portion.

[0043] Generally, the pole shank can preferably be a pole shank with a hook-like device for fastening a hand-holding device, in particular in the form of a hand loop or glove. A displaceable or rotatable internal latch means is arranged in the region of the hook-like device, such that a loop-shaped, ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped device provided on the hand-holding device is essentially pushed from above into the hook-like device and fastened therein by a self-locking action. The hook-like device is preferably arranged on the hand side in the upper region of the pole shank. It is further preferred that the hook-like device comprises a retaining spike or a retaining pin. The retaining spike or the retaining pin is preferably arranged essentially parallel to the pole axis and offset from the shank body towards the hand side forming an introduction slot or being provided in the form of a cut in the shank body. The depth of the introduction slot is preferably greater than the width and thickness of the retaining spike or the retaining pin. In particular, in other words, the pole shank is particularly preferably one as disclosed in WO 2006 / 066423. As far as the pole shank is concerned, the disclosure of said document is expressly included in the disclosure content of the present specification.

[0044] According to a further preferred embodiment, the pole handle has an ergonomic design, as for example disclosed in EP 2 168 641. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the pole handle has a removable cover at its handle head.

[0045] The handle preferably has an axial through bore at its lower end, through which the upper end of the pull cable projects into the handle. The upper cable attachment means can be configured, for example, so that the upper end of the pull cable has a knot or a crimp. Removal of the cover allows the user to access the upper end of the pull cable and pull it out of the pole without having to remove the pole handle (e.g. from the swivel hook), and allows the bearing member to be pulled out of the pole together with the pull cable engaged with the internal hook. According to a further preferred embodiment, the pole tip comprises a tip body and a buffer. The lowermost part of the tip body and / or the pole body is arranged to pass through a central opening of the buffer. The buffer is displaceably mounted so that it can be axially restrained relative to the pole body in said central opening. The buffer can be fixed in at least two axially different positions relative to the pole body by means of a form-fit connection. The tip body preferably has a latch track, in which a latch body mounted in the buffer can be engaged by form-fitting in order to fix the axial position. The latch body is pivotably and / or displaceably and / or rigidly mounted in or on the buffer. The latch body is particularly preferably designed in the form of an externally articulating latch lever, whose lower end pointing towards the asymmetric rolling surface of the buffer articulates on the outer sleeve and whose upper end, in the restrained position of the buffer, at least partially form-fittingly grips around the pole tube and / or the inner sleeve. The latch lever can be pivoted away from the outer sleeve for release. In particular, in other words the pole tip can be one that is specifically designed for Nordic walking applications, for example as described in WO 2008 / 037098. As far as the design of the pole tip is concerned, the disclosure of said document is expressly included in the disclosure content of the present application.

[0046] A further preferred embodiment of such a folding pole is characterized in that in the case of an external clamping mechanism, the external clamping device comprises a plastic cuff which essentially directly grips around at least one axial portion of the tube section and clamps said portion in the tightened state. The plastic cuff has at least one axial slot, at least in the region gripping the tube section, which makes the circumference of the plastic cuff variable in this region, and in the remaining axial region is of essentially surrounding design. Respective projections are arranged on either side of said slot on the plastic cuff. These projections have a coaxial through-opening, which is arranged essentially perpendicular to the axis of the tube section, through which a transverse pin engages. The transverse pin has a stop on the outside of the second projection and a rotation axis of the clamping lever on the outside of the first projection. This rotation axis is arranged perpendicular to the axis of the transverse pin and parallel to the axis of the tube section. The clamping lever has a lever arm which at least partially grips around the plastic cuff when the clamping device is tightened. The clamping lever has a turning area extending eccentrically around the axis of rotation, which makes it possible to reduce the gap between the stop and a counter surface arranged on the outside of the first protrusion by pivoting the clamping lever into the clamping position for clamping. The counter surface is preferably designed in the form of a metal part arranged at least partially in a recess in the first protrusion. It is further preferred that the counter surface is designed in the form of a flat surface or in the form of a concave surface whose radius of curvature is essentially adapted to the radius of curvature of the turning area. It is further preferred that the plastic cuff has at least two, preferably at least three, axially extending slots in its upper part. At least one of these slots is provided between the two protrusions, which are preferably uniformly distributed around the circumference and / or the abovementioned stop is further preferred to be of adjustable design. The stop is preferably formed with a thread and the transverse pin is formed with a counter thread.The stop is preferably designed in the form of a nut or screw and has a circumferential tooth profile and / or a tang and / or a groove for engagement by the adjustment tool. In other words, the clamping mechanism may preferably be as disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,399,363. As far as the clamping mechanism is concerned, the disclosure of said document is expressly included in the disclosure content of the present application.

[0047] If the folding pole has a form-fit latching device instead of an external clamping mechanism for tensioning the cable, the pole can be configured in an entirely length-adjustable manner. Here, the length-adjustable mechanism can be an external clamping mechanism acting in a force-fit manner as described in the previous paragraph. The clamping mechanism is preferably used for telescopic length adjustment of the second tube and is fixed to the first tube for this purpose. The lower central tube is preferably of length-adjustable construction. If the folding pole is of length-adjustable construction, it preferably has an additional tube adjacent to the first tube, preferably at the top, to which the pole handle is fixed. The external clamping mechanism is fixed to the top tube.

[0048] The pole tubes preferably consist essentially of aluminum or carbon. In the case of a carbon design, the transition areas between the individual tube sections are reinforced, for example by aluminum stabilizing sleeves. Further embodiments are detailed in the dependent claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0049] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a pole with four tubes in a folded state, with the lower two tubes in a relaxed arrangement and connected only via a pull cable, and the upper two tubes fully compressed, one inserted into the other, with their axial position relative to each other fixed via an external clamping mechanism. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an axial section through the folding pole according to FIG. 1 in the engaged state. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a view of a second embodiment of the pole in a folded state, the pole having a form-fitting latching arrangement instead of an external clamping mechanism for tensioning the cable. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a) an axial section through the folding pole according to FIG. 3 in the engaged state, and b) a section through the area of ​​the latch mechanism between the first and second tube sections serving for tensioning the cable according to V, and c) a view according to U shown in FIG. 4a) and d) a view according to T shown in FIG. 4a). [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a view of a third embodiment of the pole in a folded state, the pole having a form-fitting latching device for tensioning the cable and an external clamping mechanism for adjusting the length. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a) an axial section through the folding pole according to FIG. 5 in the engaged state, and b) a section through the region of the length adjustment region of the external clamping mechanism and the region of the upper cable attachment means, and c) a view according to R shown in FIG. 6a), and d) a view according to Q shown in FIG. 6a) and e) a view according to P shown in FIG. 6a). [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a) a partial axial section through the end stub according to FIGS. 4b) and 6c) and b) a view of the end stub relative to a form-fitting external feature and c) a view of the unscrewable top of the end stub according to b) and d) an axial section along line OO in FIG. 7c). [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a) a side view of the conical end stub showing the axial slot, b) a side view of the conical end stub taken transversely to the view of a) showing one of the notches, and c) a plan view of the conical end stub. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a) a side view of the topmost terminal stub and b) a schematic central cross-sectional view of the topmost terminal stub along line KK in a) through the pull cable and two through holes for a further pull cable. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 shows a) a top view of the cable fixing member, b) a side view of the cable fixing member, c) a view of the upper fixing member of the further pull cable, and d) a view of the inside of the pommel opened by removing the cover, showing the floor of the cavity and the fixing stub. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram of a cone-shaped end stub having two halves connected via a film hinge. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a view of a further embodiment of a pole in a mated state, the pole having an external clamping mechanism on top and a form-fitting latching device underneath for tensioning the cable, with the left side showing the pole in the mated state and the right side showing the pole without the tube to expose the clamping mechanism and pull cable etc. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0050] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, which serve for illustration purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting.

[0051] An exemplary embodiment of a folding pole 1 having four tubes 7-9 is shown in figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows the folding pole 1 in a folded state, i.e. with the top two tubes tucked completely one inside the other and the bottom two tubes arranged in a folded manner next to the top two tubes, while figure 2 shows the folding pole in an assembled state.

[0052] In particular, such a pole comprises a top tube 7, at the top of which a pole handle 2 is fixed. In this example, this pole handle 2 is of asymmetric design. Front in the walking direction it has a bevelled top part, at which it has a trigger knob 5 for a holder mechanism for a hand holding device, and somewhat rearward it has a holding nose 3 designed in the form of a pin with a slot 4 at the front side. This pole handle is for example known from WO 2006 / 066423 and can be used for example with a glove or hand loop known from WO 2006 / 066424, i.e. with a hand holding device having a loop that can be guided over the holding nose 3 between the thumb and the index finger and locked in the slot 4 by a self-locking action. The pole handle also has a grip area 6, which is usually designed in the form of an area with an easy-to-grip coating.

[0053] An external clamping mechanism 10 is arranged at the lower end of the top tube section. The tube (which applies to all tube sections) can essentially be a tube made of aluminum or carbon composite material. In this embodiment, the clamping mechanism is the external clamping mechanism known from US Pat. No. 5,399,623, but it could also be a clamping mechanism according to US Pat. No. 5,499,623 or US Pat. No. 5,499,623.

[0054] In this embodiment, the upper region of the clamping mechanism 10 is fixed on the tube section 7 via a peripheral retaining area 13, usually made of plastic, which has an axially extending slot, particularly in the surrounding area below the retaining area 13, so that the actual clamping area of ​​the cuff, which is arranged below the area 13, clamps the outer tube 7 firmly onto the inner tube 8 being pushed in, and thus a force-fit connection can be established between the outer tube 7 and the inner tube 8. Correspondingly, below the peripheral retaining area 13 there is a slotted clamping area 14, which extends between two projections, through which a transversely extending pin, which forms the axial clamping member 12, is passed. The pin is fixed at the rear side, for example by a nut, and at the side shown here at the front side, is connected to the lever 11 via an axial cross member, which forms the pivot point of the lever. The fulcrum of the lever 11 has two fork-like extensions designed in the form of an eccentric, so that in the co-clamping state shown here, when the lever is pivoted around the pole tube or the clamping device, the slot contracts so much that clamping occurs, and when the lever is pivoted outward, the eccentric spreads the two protrusions to a certain extent, releasing the clamping, thereby reducing this clamping.

[0055] In the top tube 7, the upper one 8 of the two central tubes is pressed in from the inside. The outer diameter of this upper central tube 8 therefore corresponds to a diameter that is only slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the top tube 7, so that a displacement capacity is guaranteed despite a minimal amount of play. Here, the top tube 7 accommodates the upper one 8 of the central tubes to the maximum extent inside, so that the storage size is minimized. Here, the tube 8 is usually pressed in until it stops against the upper fixing stub 27.

[0056] The upper of the two central tubes 8 is followed by a lower further central tube 8', which here overlaps to some extent and has the same tube diameter as the upper central tube 8. Between the upper and lower central tubes 8' there is a plug fitting connection 17, which here is not connected. The plug fitting connection 17 has a guide stub 49, which has a conical taper 18 at its tip. The guide stub 49 is fixed to the lower of the two tubes 8' and is pressed into the lower central tube 8' in the fixing area 37. The other tube 8 usually has an upper tube end cuff 15, in particular for protecting the tube end, but also for anti-rotation purposes (see below).

[0057] The conically tapered region 18 is designed in the form of a slotted conical end stub and is removably inserted, preferably screwed or latched, into the cylindrical region of the plug-mating connection 17. For this, the conical end stub 18 has an external thread or an internal latching element (e.g. a protrusion) in the region where it engages with the cylindrical region of the plug-mating connection 17, which in its inside has a corresponding internal thread or, in the case of a latching clip connection, for example, has a hole in the form of an oppositely positioned bore into which a resiliently mounted and movable protrusion can latch. To facilitate screwing and unscrewing, the conical end stub 18 has, in the exposed conically tapered region, two axially oppositely positioned notches 18' whose axially extending flanks run parallel to allow the conical end stub 18 to be unscrewed using a tool.

[0058] At the opposing ends of the lower of the two central tube sections 8' there is a lower tube end cuff 19. Again in the folded-back state, the lower tube end cuff 19 is followed by the lowest tube section 9, which in this example is a butted tube and which has the same diameter as the two central tube sections 8, 8' in its uppermost part, but which tapers downwards.

[0059] A pole tip 23 is fixed to the lower end of the lowermost tube 9, which pole tip is of asymmetric design, i.e. in the lowermost region it has a bevelled and rearward tapered rubber buffer 25. In this case, the rubber buffer 25 is also designed to be adjustable in that it can be adjusted between at least two positions: in the position shown here, the hard tip 24 is arranged to pass through a hole in the rubber buffer 25, which is suitable for frozen ground or gravel roads, while by pushing the adjustment lever 26 towards the right, the buffer is displaced downwards and by pulling the adjustment lever 26 up again, it can be fixed in this position, in which the tip 24 is to some extent hidden in the opening of the buffer 25, so that only the rolling surface of the asymmetric buffer is in contact with the ground. In other words, this tip is known, for example, from WO 2008 / 037098.

[0060] At its upper end, the lowermost tube 9 likewise has a plug fitting connection 17 formed essentially identically to the example already described, i.e. with a conical taper 18 at its tip and a guide stub 49 having an outside diameter such that it can be pressed into the lower end of the lower central tube 8'.

[0061] Here, the conical tapered region 18 is again designed in the form of a slotted conical end stub which is screwed into the cylindrical region of the plug-fitting connection 17. For this, the conical end stub 18 has an external thread in the region which engages in the cylindrical region of the plug-fitting connection 17, which has a corresponding internal thread on its inside. To facilitate screwing and unscrewing, the conical end stub 18 has, in the exposed conical tapered region, two axially oppositely positioned notches 18' whose axially extending flanks run parallel to enable the conical end stub 18 to be unscrewed using a tool.

[0062] Here, the individual tubes are connected via a flexible but tensile-resistant pull cable 16. The pull cable 16 is made, for example, of tensile-resistant plastic fibres, such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (=UHMWPE, or high modulus polyethylene=HMPE, for example Dyneema®), meta- or para-aramid (for example Kevlar®), etc., and is monofilament and / or braided and / or sheathed. It is likewise possible to have a sheathable wire cable. The pull cable 16 preferably has a thickness of 0.25 mm to 6 mm, preferably 0.4 mm to 3 mm, particularly preferably 0.5 mm to 2 mm. To ensure the tensile strength of the pull cable, it is preferable to use a multifilament made of several parallel monofilaments, for example made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (=UHMWPE, or high modulus polyethylene=HMPE), which can be encapsulated in a carrier material, or a multifilament made of several braided monofilaments, for example made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (=UHMWPE, or high modulus polyethylene=HMPE), which can be encapsulated individually and / or in the form of a braid in a carrier material. A chain-like pull cable is also possible. With a chain-like pull cable, the individual tubes 8' and 9 are loosely connected in this position with the two upper tubes 7, 8 pushed in one inserted into the other. This is advantageous for transportation and prevents the loss of individual parts. Certain parts of the pull cable 16, in particular the part provided for folding, can be provided with a protective sheath, preferably in the form of a PVC hose. The pull cable is preferably a flexible but tension-resistant pull cable having a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm and made of braided UHMWPE fibres, e.g. obtained by gel spinning, encapsulated or provided with a coating made of a thermoplastic material.

[0063] Figure 2 shows an axial section through said pole in the mated state, i.e. when the two lower tubes 8' and 9 are mated, one inserted inside the other, and the two upper tubes 7, 8 are stretched away from each other to their maximum extent. The pole can be transferred from the folded position shown in Figure 1 to the assembled state of Figure 2 as follows: the lowest pole tube 9 is pushed into the lower one 8' of the two central tubes by means of the plug fitting connection 17, after which (or before) the central part 8' is pushed into the other central part 8 by means of the corresponding plug fitting connection 17, then the external clamping mechanism 10 is released by releasing the lever 11, after which the tube 8 is extended from the tube 7. This is done until the pull cable 16 reaches a taut state, as shown in Figure 2, since it is fixed inside the lowest tube 9 and the top tube 7. In this position the pole is then fixed by fixing the external clamping mechanism 10 again. The plug-fit connections between tubes 8 and 8' and between tubes 8' and 9, while by themselves providing fixation in only one axial direction, are thereby also fixed and stable in the other axial direction.

[0064] 4b and 6c show an alternative exemplary embodiment in which the tensioning of the cable is made possible by a form-fitting latch mechanism instead of an external clamping mechanism 10. The clamping mechanism shown in FIG. 6b is similar to that shown in FIG. 2, but serves to adjust the length of the upper part of the second tube 8. The upper attachment point of the pull cable is shown here. The pull cable is crimped at the upper end, which crimp 30 prevents it from passing through the through hole 35 of the end stub 34. The tube 8 adjacent to the additional tube 59 is connected via a further pull cable 16' to the handle head or to a cable fixed as a fixing member between the upper end of the additional tube and the handle. The length of this further pull cable 16' is set in such a way that the tube 8 can extend downwards from the additional tube 59 just to the extent that it is thus still well guided in the additional tube 59. This ensures that the tube 8 always fits well in the additional tube 59 and the two tubes cannot be separated.

[0065] The detail presented as an inset on the right side of FIG. 6b shows how the terminating stub 34 can be screwed by means of its external thread into a threaded sleeve, e.g. made of metal, which is glued into a plastic ring fixed in the tube section 7.

[0066] The end stub 34 also has a channel 54, as shown in Figure 7a, into which the upper end of the leaf spring 52 projects and into which the leaf spring 52 is secured in a self-locking manner, in this example by a barb 55. A latch pin 51 is secured, for example by riveting, to the lower end of the leaf spring 52. When radial pressure is applied to the latch pin to release the latch mechanism, the leaf spring is tightened and at least a portion of the latch pin 51 passes through the through hole 35 and into the interior space 31 of the pole tube.

[0067] According to a further preferred embodiment, the end stub 34 can also be designed for a clamping mechanism according to DE 199 0 04 13 200 A1, i.e. a form-fitting external clamping mechanism with a spring-loaded rocker (see Figs. 7b and c). The tip of this rocker engages from the outside for form-fitting into a circumferential groove 69 in said end stub 34. The end stub 34 has a lower region 34b by means of which it is fixed, preferably glued or firmly clamped, in the tube section 8. The end stub 34 is pressed into the tube section 8 up to the collar 34c. The circumferential groove 69 is followed in the upward direction by an extension region 70 which has essentially the same outside diameter as the tube section 8. This extension region 70 ensures that the unit consisting of the tube section 8 and said end stub 34 is always well guided in the following tube section 7.

[0068] As mentioned, the end stub 34 preferably has a head region 34a which is screwed into the lower region 70 / 34b. Such a head region 34a usually also has one or more axial slots, has a narrow axial through hole for the pull cable and has an external thread 72 in the region which projects into the lower region of the stub. The extension region has a corresponding upper region with an internal thread, while the lower region of the end stub 34 has a continuous axial through hole of larger diameter. When the tube 8 is to be separated from the pull cable, correspondingly, as described above, after separating the two lower tubes, it becomes possible to unscrew the head region 34a and then pull the pull cable upwards through the tube 8, which can then also be separated.

[0069] Also in the two alternative exemplary embodiments of Fig. 4b and Fig. 6c, the second tube 8 has a respective end stub 34 with an axial through hole 35 for the pull cable. The head 34a of the end stub 34 is introduced here in the first tube 7 adjacent to the upper part of the second tube 8 when the pole is in the assembled state, while the collar 34c abuts against the upper end of the second tube 8 and projects by means of a neck 34b into the upper end of the second tube 8. As mentioned above, the head 34a is preferably designed in the form of a separate part and can be inserted, preferably screwed, into the lower part of the end stub 34. Fig. 7b shows the end stub 34 in a partially unscrewed position, so that the male thread 72 is visible. The neck 34b rests against the upper end of an optional insert member 62 fixed in the second tube 8 or directly in this tube. The insert member 62 abuts with its outer wall against the inner wall of the second tube section 8 and has a through bore 53 which is aligned or coincident with the through bore 53 of the second tube section 8 so that the latch pin 51 can project outwardly through this through bore 53 from the interior space 31 of the pole tube.

[0070] The pole according to the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4a, but also in Figures 5 and 6a, has an ergonomically shaped pole handle 2, the handle head 57 of which has an openable or removable cover 58. When this cover 58 is opened or removed, the upper end of the pull cable 16 or the above-mentioned crimping part 30 is accessible through a cavity in the handle head 57 or by a cable fastening part (described below) of a further pull cable 16', which makes it possible to replace the pull cable when it becomes worn, especially in combination with the configuration of the lower cable attachment means described below.

[0071] The plug-fit connection 17 is formed in two parts. The stub area 49 has a head with a conically tapered area 18 in the form of a conical end stub designed as a separate part and here projects into the upper part of the fixed part by a neck. Here, the stub area 49 can be made, for example, of plastic and the fixed part 37 can be made of aluminum or composite material. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 4c and Fig. 6d, the plug-fit connection 17 does not have a peripheral flange 21 between the stub area 49 and the fixed part 37, so that the two tube parts 8' and 9 abut against each other without an offset. The area where the two tube parts abut against each other is here surrounded by the tube end cuff 19. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 4d and Fig. 6e, the plug-fit connection 17 is formed in two parts from the holder part 37 and the closure part 56, the conical end stub 18. The closure member 56 here has an externally threaded bore at the neck 56b and is screwed into the upper end of the holder member 37 which has an internally threaded bore. Alternatively, the connection to the closure member or the conical end stub (and also on other members) can also be realised in a non-destructive way, for example in a bayonet closure or latch element, or by other types of connections which can also be easily released by removable joining techniques. Here, the closure member can be formed between the tube parts 8' and 9, as well as the stub area 49 of the plug-fit connection or the guide stub 17. Although not shown in figures 4d and 6e, it is advantageous for an upper stop member 40 to be arranged between the closure member 56 and the helical spring. The holder member 37 here has an upper region with an internally threaded bore, a central region with a shoulder which abuts against the upper end of the lower tube part 9, and also a lower region which effectively holds the plug-fit connection at the upper end of the lower tube part.

[0072] 8, a specially designed conical end stub is shown for the two plug-fit connections between the three lower tube sections 8, 8', 9. This conical end stub 18 has an axial through hole 64 for the pull cable 16. It also has an external thread 68 in the area that projects into the stub area 49. Furthermore, the conical end stub 18 has a single axial slot 63 extending over its entire length, which allows it to be separated from the pull cable without having to release the crimp or the like of the pull cable. The reason for this is that the pull cable is preferably fixed to the respective element by a crimp, since it is only the crimp that ensures that the corresponding fastening section actually has a long-term holding effect. It is therefore very advantageous if it is not only possible to simply unscrew and rescrew, but also possible to separate the conical end stub from the pull cable by means of the slot.

[0073] The conical end stub further has two transverse notches 18' located in a conical region that protrudes from the stub region 49. The notches 18' have axially extending flanks that are positioned parallel to allow the conical end stub 18 to be easily grasped and unscrewed or screwed using an open-end wrench or similar tool.

[0074] FIG. 9 shows the top end stub 65. It has a head region 77 that protrudes beyond the top tube 7 and a neck region 78 that is rigidly fixed to the top tube 7. This top end stub 65 is provided with a stepped through hole 66 for the pull cable 16. The stepped through hole has a narrow region 67 through which the pull cable can be guided and a further region that is arranged to follow the step 73. This allows the pull cable to be fixed to said top end stub 65 by means of a crimp that will eventually be located in this further region, but also allows it to be pulled upwards from the stub when the tension on the pull cable is released. In addition, there is a second through hole 74 for the further pull cable 16', which is stepped very significantly in the other direction. This further pull cable is pulled in an upward direction so that crimp 30 now abuts shoulder 76 and the further pull cable 16 ′ is able to extend through reduced diameter section 75 .

[0075] As shown in Figures 10a and b, at the top, a further pull cable 16' is fixed by a cable fixing member. The fixing member 79 has a plate area that can be positioned on the further tube 59 or fixed at the top in the further tube 59. For this, a setback area 81 engages, for example, in the upper cavity of the further tube 59. In the area 81, a through hole 82 for the further pull cable 16' is provided. In order to be able to guide a hook 86, which may be provided on this pull cable, through the cable fixing member 79, a lateral extension 83 may be present in the through hole. The fixing member then abuts against a lower area of ​​the floor 91 of the shank, which is shown from above in Figure 10d, when the cover is removed. The pull cable is fixed at the top so as to form an upper loop 85, which is fixed by a crimping part 84. This loop 85 is gripped by a hook 86, which is attached to a rotatable stub 87 in the actual bearing member 88. This ability to rotate is advantageous since it allows the pull cable to not twist while the tubes rotate relative to each other. The bearing member 88 is conically tapered downwardly and has a retaining ring 89 on its upper portion. The bearing member 88 rests with its downwardly conically tapered area on a step or cable fastening member 79 in a through opening 92 in the floor 91 of the handle cavity 90.

[0076] The further pull cable 16' can also be easily released by releasing the outer clamp and pushing the further tube 59 and the top tube 7 into each other as far as possible, thereby releasing the tension on the further pull cable 16'. The bearing member can then be pulled upwards from the haft by the retaining ring 89, the hook 86 can be separated from the loop 85, and the top tube 7 can then be pulled downwards from the further tube 59.

[0077] Thus, with the slotted conical end stub and the end stub 34 which can be unscrewed in the head region 34a, the folding pole can be non-destructively disassembled and reassembled and parts can be replaced, renewed or otherwise modified.

[0078] FIG. 11 shows a conical end stub 18 consisting of two conical end stub halves 96. The two halves are connected as one piece via a film hinge 93. The conical end stub halves 96 are of essentially symmetrical design and are separated by a central axial imaginary separation plane. When the two halves 96 are pivoted to each other around the film hinge 93, they form an axial through hole 64, and the slot 63 is formed by the gap between the abutment surfaces. When the conical end stub 18 is screwed into the stub area via the male thread 68, the slot 63 closes as a result of the abutment of the contact surfaces. It is important, especially for the male thread 68, that the two halves are maximally accurately positioned relative to each other, and to ensure this, it is possible to provide the contact surfaces with a positioning stub 94 and a corresponding positioning recess 95 (in the form of a blind hole), which can also be designed in the form of a latch connection, as shown here. Other form-fit and / or force-fit connections are also possible, but these connections must be removable.

[0079] Here, the film hinge 93 is arranged at the axial end face 97 on only one side, i.e. on only one side of the through hole 64 formed in the mated state, so that the axial slot 63 is purely free and the pull cable can be inserted.

[0080] Fig. 12 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a pole with five tubes. The two lowest connections between parts 9 and 8' and also between parts 8' and 8 are designed in the form of a simple plug fitting connection with a corresponding conical end stub 18. In this embodiment, it is also possible to provide only one such plug fitting connection, i.e. in this embodiment, it is also possible to design with four tubes, i.e. the part 8' shown here is not present in the example. Also here, an external latch connection is provided between tube 8 and the further tube 7 provided above it, and an external clamping mechanism is provided between the top tube 7' and said further tube 7. A pull cable, in the form of a single pull cable, runs through the entire structure and is fixed to the bottom tube 9 and the top tube 7'. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1 Folding pole 2 Pole handle 3 Retaining Nose 4 Slots 5 Trigger Button 6 2 Grip Area 7 First tube section 7' Top pipe, additional pipe 8 Second Tube 8' Further central tube 9 Lower pipe section 10 External clamping mechanism 11 Clamp lever 12 Axial clamping member 13 10 Perimeter Retention Area 14 10 slotted clamping area 15 Upper tube end cuff 16 Pull Cable 16' Further pull cable between the first tube section and the additional tube section 17 Guide stub or plug mating connection 17' 17 fixing areas in each lower tube with through holes 17'' Stub area with through hole 18 17 conical taper area, conical end stub 18' notch, step, shoulder, milled recess 19 Lower tube end cuff 19 abutment surface at 20 21 21 17 Lower Holder Support Flange 22 19 and 21 abutment surface 23 Pole tip 24 Tip member 25 Rubber Buffer 26 Adjustment lever 27 Holder member or upper fixing stub for 16 28 Central through hole for 16 in 27 29 28 expansion area on top of 27 Crimping part at 30 16 31 Internal space within the pipe 32 Pole Axis 33 Sim 34 Termination stub 34a Head region of 34 34b: Neck region of 34, region that fits into the tube 34c 34 color 35 Axial through hole for 16 in 34 Axial through hole for 16 in 36 17 37 Holder member or fixing part 36 extension for 38 39 39 Spiral Spring Guide or stop member for 40 39 Guide or end member for 41 39 42 40 / 41 radial flange 43 40 / 41 axial guide 44 19 engagement part 45 Radial outer axial rib at 44 46 Radially outer axial groove at 44 47 radially inner axial groove on the inside of 21 48 Radial inner axial rib on the inside of 21 49 17 stub areas 50 Latch device 51 Latch pin 52 Spring material Radial through bores at 53 8 and 62 54 Axial channel in 34 55 52 Retention means 56 Closure member 56a Head of 56 56b Neck of 56 56c Axial through hole of 56 57 Pommel head Cover of 58 57 59 Additional pipes, top pipes 60 External clamping mechanism for length adjustment 61 Protective sheath 62 Insert material 63 Axially extending slot at 18 Axial through hole at 64 18 65 Top Termination Stub 66 Stepped through hole for pull cable at 65 67 Reduced diameter part at 66 68 18 male thread 69 34 of 70 Circumferential groove 70 34 extension area Slots in 71 34a 72 34a stub male thread 73 66 Step 74 stepped through hole at 65 for further pull cable in upward direction 75 66 narrowing point 76 74 Step 77 65 Head Area 78 65 neck area, area that fits into the tube 79 Cable fixing member for additional tube below floor in handle cavity 80 79 Plate Area 81 79 retreat areas 82 Through hole for further pull cable 16' 83 Extension / axial groove for fixing additional pull cable 84 Crimping part of upper loop of further pull cable 16' 85 Additional upper loop of pull cable 86 85 fixing hook 87 Rotatable Stub 88 Bearing materials 89 88 Retaining Ring 90 Cavity at handle head 91 90 floor Through hole at 92 91 93 Film hinge 94 Positioning stub 95 Positioning recess 96 Cone-shaped end stub half 97 Axial end face 98 Internally threaded sleeve glued in place

Claims

1. A folding pole (1) having at least three tubes (7-9), in an assembled state of the folding pole (1), the tubes (7-9) are connected to one another by plug fitting connections so as to be oriented along a pole axis (32), and in a folded state, at least two or at least three tubes (8, 8', 9) are connected to one another only via movable connecting members (16), a pole handle (2) is located in the top tube (7, 7') and a pole tip (23) is located in the bottom tube (9), At least one of the plug-fit connections is achieved using an external clamping mechanism (10) and / or a form-fit latching device (50); the external clamping mechanism (10) is fixed to the first tube section (7), and a second tube section (8) having an outer diameter smaller than or approximately equal to the inner diameter of the first tube section (7) and displaceably mounted within the first tube section (7) can have its relative axial position fixed by the external clamping mechanism (10); The form-fit latching device (50) is mounted on a second tube (8), the second tube (8) having an outer diameter smaller than or approximately equal to the inner diameter of the first tube (7), the second tube (8) can be pressed into the first tube (7) and the relative axial position can be fixed by the form-fit latching device; at least one further plug fitting connection is designed in the form of a plug fitting connection in which, in the fitted state, the tube section (8, 8', 9) is fixed in only one axial direction, the tubes (7-9) are connected to one another via at least one pull cable (16), the at least one pull cable (16) being fixed to the bottom tube (9) and to the upper or top tube (7) and arranged to extend through an internal space (31) of at least one or at least two central tubes (8, 8'); the folding pole (1) is designed such that it can be moved from the folded state to the assembled state by engaging the further plug-fit connection and then, with the external clamping mechanism (10) released or the form-fit latching device (50) released, pulling the second tube section (8) out of the first tube section (7) to such an extent that the pull cable (16) is tensioned and fixing the external clamping mechanism (10) or the form-fit latching device (50), at least one of the further plug-fit connections is designed in one tube section with a guide stub (17) which is provided with an axially extending central through hole for the pull cable (16), which is rigidly fixed to the tube section by a fixing part (37, 17') and has on the axially opposite side a stub area (49, 17'') which is exposed when the folding pole is in the folded state and which can be pressed into the other tube section, the fixing part (37, 17') and the stub area (49, 17'') having an axial through hole for the pull cable (16), The folding pole (1) comprises: a conical end stub (18) having an axial through hole (64) is removably inserted into the stub area (49, 17'') to close said stub area (49, 17'') against the subsequent tube section, said conical end stub (18) having an axial slot (63) by means of which said pull cable (16) can be introduced radially into said axial through hole (64), Foldable pole.

2. Each conical end stub (18) has a conical tapered region that is exposed when the pole is in the folded position, the conical tapered region having means (18') by which the conical end stub (18) can be grasped and screwed or unscrewed and / or latched or unlatched. A folding pole as claimed in claim 1 .

3. The means is designed in the form of at least two, oppositely arranged, notches (18'), said notches (18') having mutually parallel surfaces forming a plane tangent to the axis of the pole. A folding pole according to claim 2.

4. each conical end stub (18) having an axial through hole (64) is removably screwed and / or latched into said stub area (49, 17''), thereby closing said stub area (49, 17'') against the following pipe section; and / or Said folding pole (1) is a folding pole having at least four or at least five tube sections (7-9), in said folded state at least three tube sections (8, 8', 9) are connected to one another only via the movable connecting member (16) and can be connected via said further plug-fitting connections, each conical end stub (18) having an axial through hole (64) is removably inserted into said stub area (49, 17'') thereby closing said stub area (49, 17'') with respect to the following tube section, each of these conical end stubs (18) having an axial slot (63) by means of which said pull cable (16) can be introduced radially into said axial through hole (64). A folding pole according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that

5. each conical end stub (18) having an axial through hole (64) is removably screwed and / or latched into said stub area (49, 17'') by means of a latching element or a bayonet-type closure, thereby closing said stub area (49, 17'') against the following tube section; and / or Said folding pole (1) is a folding pole having at least four or at least five tube sections (7-9), in said folded state at least three tube sections (8, 8', 9) are connected to one another only via the movable connecting member (16) and can be connected via said further plug-fitting connections, each conical end stub (18) having an axial through hole (64) is removably screwed into said stub area (49, 17'') thereby closing said stub area (49, 17'') with respect to the following tube section, each of these conical end stubs (18) having an axial slot (63) by means of which said pull cable (16) can be introduced radially into said axial through hole (64). A folding pole according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. Said means are designed in the form of exactly two oppositely disposed notches (18') having mutually parallel surfaces forming a plane tangent to the axis of the pole, said surfaces extending parallel to the direction in which the axial slots (63) extend. A folding pole according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

7. The two or three lowest tube sections (8', 9) are connected to one another via the above-mentioned further plug-fitting connection, the highest or subsequent tube section of the three tube sections (8) having at its upper end a terminal stub (34) which has a head region (34a) projecting upwards from said tube section (8) and a neck region (34b) which rigidly fixes said terminal stub (34) to said tube section (8), said head region and said neck region being designed in the form of two separate parts which can be removably inserted one into the other. A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The two or three lowest tube sections (8', 9) are connected to one another via the above-mentioned further plug-fitting connection, the uppermost or subsequent tube section of the three tube sections (8) having at its upper end a terminal stub (34) which has a head region (34a) projecting upwards from said tube section (8) and a neck region (34b) which rigidly fixes said terminal stub (34) to said tube section (8), said head region and said neck region being designed in the form of two separate parts which can be removably screwed and / or latched one to the other by means of a latching element or a bayonet-type closure. A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A top end stub (65) is provided within the first tube portion (7), and the pull cable (16) is fixed to the top end stub (65) such that when the pull cable (16) is not taut, the pull cable (16) can be pulled upward from the top end stub (65). A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A top end stub (65) is provided within the first tube portion (7), the pull cable (16) is fixed to the top end stub (65), and when the pull cable (16) is not taut, the top end stub (65) has a stepped through hole (66) with a reduced diameter portion (67) in a lower region, so that the pull cable (16) can be pulled upward from the top end stub (65), and the pull cable (16) is captured in the stepped portion by a knot or crimp portion (30). A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Above the first tube (7) there is a further tube (7', 59) into which the first tube (7) can be displaceably pressed and which can be fixed in various axial positions by an external clamping mechanism (10), the uppermost end stub (65) being connected to this further tube (7', 59) by a further pull cable (16') such that when the external clamping mechanism (10) is released the first tube (7) cannot be pulled out of the further tube (7', 59). A folding pole according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that

12. The further pull cable (16') is removably secured to the upper end of the further tube or to a handle secured thereto. A folding pole according to claim 11.

13. The further pull cable (16') is removably fixed to the upper end of the further tube or to a handle fixed thereto so as not to rotate freely, and when the cover of the handle is removed, the fixing part of the further pull cable (16') can be released from the outside in a non-destructive manner by means of a hook connection, thereby removing the fixing part of the further pull cable (16'). A folding pole according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that

14. The fastening of the pull cable (16) in the holder member (27, 37) is of elastically spring-loaded design by a helical spring (39) provided on the holder member of the lowermost tube (9), and the pull cable (16) is arranged to extend through the inner space of the helical spring. A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that

15. The fastening of the pull cable (16) in the holder member (27, 37) is of elastically spring-loaded design by a helical spring (39) provided on the holder member of the lowermost tube (9), the pull cable (16) is arranged to extend through the inner space of the helical spring, at least a certain portion of the pull cable (16) or the entire length of the pull cable in the longitudinal direction is of tension-resistant and inelastic design, the helical spring (39) has an outer diameter such that it can be pulled through the central through-hole of the guide stub (17) without the conical end stub (18) and through the end stub (34) without the head region (34a). A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that

16. The pull cable (16) is made of a flexible, longitudinally tension-resistant, and inelastic material that is provided with a plastic coating or encapsulated in plastic. A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that

17. The first tube section (7) is the uppermost or second-highest tube section, the second tube section (8) is a first central tube section (8) adjacent to the aforementioned tube section in the downward direction, and the at least one plug-fitting connection section is realized by a form-fitting latching device (50). A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that

18. The first tube (7) is the top or second tube from the top, the second tube (8) is a first central tube (8) adjacent to the aforementioned tube in the downward direction, the at least one plug-fitting connection is realized by a form-fitting latching device (50) having a spring-loaded radial latch pin (51) that is held in a radial through-bore (53) of the second tube (8) so as to protrude through said radial through-bore against the action of a spring member (52) or engages from the outside in a groove in a terminal stub (34), and alongside the second tube (8) there is also a further central tube (8') and a bottom tube (9), the bottom tube (9) being provided with a tip (23), the bottom tube (9) and the two central tubes (8, 8') being connected to each other via the further plug-fitting connection. A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. The tubes (7-9) are dimensioned such that the uppermost central tube (8) can be pushed essentially all the way into the uppermost tube (7) when the pole is in the assembled state. A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that

20. The tubes (7-9) are dimensioned such that, when the pole is in the assembled state, the uppermost central tube (8) can be pushed essentially all the way into the uppermost tube (7) and, if there are further additional tubes (7', 59), the uppermost tube (7) can be pushed essentially all the way into the further additional tubes (7', 59). A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. The pull cable (16) is fixed to the lowermost tube section (9) and / or the uppermost tube section (7) by providing a holder member (27, 37), which is axially fixed to each of the tube sections (7, 9) and the pull cable (16) is fixed to the holder member. A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. An outwardly facing support flange (21) is provided between the fixed portion (37) and the stub region (49), and in the fitted state, the support flange comes to rest in the axial direction against the pipe end of the other pipe portion and / or against a pipe end cuff (19) provided at the pipe end. A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. A radially surrounding, outwardly facing support flange (21) is provided between the fixed portion (37) and the stub region (49), and in the fitted state, the support flange comes to rest axially against the pipe end of the other pipe portion and / or against a pipe end cuff (19) provided at the pipe end. A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

24. The folding pole further includes a length adjustment mechanism. A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that

25. The collapsible pole further includes an external clamping mechanism configured to act in a force-fit manner to adjust the length of the pole. A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

26. The conical end stub (18) is formed in one piece, as a rigid element, an axial slot (63) having a predefined width through which the pull cable (16) can be introduced radially into the axial through hole (64), or a flexible element having an axial slot (63) of variable width, expanding against a restoring force, for radially introducing the pull cable (16) into the axial through hole (64) in a state released from the stub region, or The flexible element comprises two conical end stub halves (96) connected via a hinge (93), said film hinge (93) connecting said two conical end stub halves (96) only on one side of said axial through hole (64). A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 25, characterised in that

27. The conical end stub (18) is formed in one piece, The flexible element comprises two conical end stub halves (96) connected via a film hinge (93), said film hinge (93) connecting said two conical end stub halves (96) only on one side of said axial through hole (64). A folding pole according to any one of claims 1 to 26.

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