Accessory for a sports activity

Abstract

The invention relates to an accessory comprising a rod (1) having an outer tube (2c) mounted to slide telescopically around an inner tube (2b) along a longitudinal travel, wherein the inner tube comprises an inner opening (9) fitted with a member (10) accommodated so as to be movable in translation in a radial extension direction (DR) while being elastically biased between a retracted position and a projecting position, wherein the outer tube (2c) has an outer opening (11) arranged in longitudinal alignment with the inner opening (9) during telescopic sliding, and is arranged so as to accommodate the member (10) when it projects from the inner opening (9), in order to arrest the telescopic sliding in a position in which the member (10) extends into the openings (9, 11), and wherein the member (10) has two portions (21) provided with a spacing means (22) in an expansion direction (DT), which is arranged so as to bias the expansion of the member accommodated in the outer opening (11).

Description

[0001] Accessory for sports activity

[0002] The invention relates to an accessory for sporting activity having a rod formed from a set of tubes.

[0003] It applies in particular to a pole for sporting activity, such as a walking pole, for example of the Nordic or trekking type, allowing the walker to propel himself using his arms to support himself on the ground, or a running pole, particularly for trail running, in order to help the runner when progressing on uneven terrain.

[0004] Traditionally, this type of stick comprises a shaft with an upper part equipped with a grip and a lower part equipped with a ground support device, for example in the form of a metal tip.

[0005] Accessories are known in which the set of tubes has at least one outer tube, for example the lower tube, which is mounted to slide telescopically around an inner tube, for example an intermediate tube, over a longitudinal stroke for adjusting the height of the rod.

[0006] In particular, document US-5,593,196 describes a height-adjustable stick whose shaft comprises a set of telescopic tubes in which each lower tube is arranged to be telescopically disposed inside the adjacent upper tube.

[0007] To enable the locking in the deployed position of an inner tube, document US-5,593,196 provides a “push-pin” type system in which:

[0008] - the inner tube has an inner orifice in which a member is housed in translation along a radial extension direction while being elastically constrained between a retracted position in the inner tube and a position projecting from the periphery of said inner tube;

[0009] - the outer tube has an outer orifice arranged to house the member projecting from said inner orifice, in order to block the telescopic sliding in an adjustment position in which the member is extended in the radially facing orifices.

[0010] In this type of system, the dimensional dispersions between the member and the orifices can induce functional clearances at their interface, said clearances being detrimental to the locking in position of the tubes, in particular by allowing relative longitudinal and / or rotational movements of said locked tubes.

[0011] In addition to the mechanical stresses experienced by the tubes during relative movements, these functional clearances can also generate discomfort when using the accessory, particularly in the case of a walking or running stick, when the support member impacts the ground.

[0012] The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing in particular an accessory for sporting activity comprising a rod formed from a set of telescopic tubes which can be locked in sliding in a simple, rapid and reliable manner, in particular by limiting the possibilities of relative movements of the locked tubes in order to improve the comfort of use of the accessory.

[0013] To this end, the invention proposes an accessory for sporting activity having a rod formed from a set of tubes, said set having at least one outer tube which is mounted in telescopic sliding around an inner tube over a longitudinal stroke, said inner tube comprising an inner orifice opening radially from its periphery, said inner orifice being equipped with a member secured in longitudinal translation to the inner tube, said member being housed in translation along a direction of radial extension in said inner orifice while being elastically constrained between a retracted position in the inner tube and a position projecting from the periphery of said inner tube, the outer tube comprising at least one outer orifice which is arranged in longitudinal alignment with the inner orifice during telescopic sliding of the tubes,said external orifice being arranged to house the member projecting from the internal orifice in order to block said telescopic sliding in a position in which the member is extended in the radially facing orifices, the member having two portions equipped with a spacing means in a direction of expansion which is arranged to constrain the expansion of said member housed in the external orifice.,

[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, made with reference to the attached figures, in which: [Fig.1] represents an accessory for sporting activity according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0015] [Fig.2a] and

[0016] [Fig. 2b] represent in partial longitudinal section the assembly of two adjacent tubes of the accessory of figure 1, centered on the sliding locking member of the inner tube deployed outside the outer tube;

[0017] [Fig.3] shows in partial radial section the sliding locking member projecting from the orifices of the tubes of the accessory of figures 1, 2a and 2b;

[0018] [Fig. 4] represents, in perspective side view, the assembly of the sliding locking member in a socket intended to be assembled in the inner tube of the preceding figures;

[0019] [Fig.5] represents, in perspective side view, the sliding locking member of the previous figures;

[0020] [Fig.6a] and

[0021] [Fig.6b] represent, along longitudinal section planes respectively radial (figure 6a) and tangential (figure 6b), the sliding locking member projecting and expanding in the respective orifices of the tubes of the previous figures.

[0022] In relation to these figures, an accessory for sporting activity is described below having a rod 1 formed from a set of tubes 2a, 2b, 2c.

[0023] In the embodiment shown, the accessory forms a pole for practicing a sporting activity such as walking or running. The pole can in particular be used for Nordic walking or trekking, in order to allow the walker to propel himself using his arms to support himself on the ground, or for practicing running in a natural environment, in particular trail running, in order to help the runner when progressing on uneven terrain.

[0024] The tubes 2a, 2b, 2c have a substantially cylindrical geometry. They can be formed, for example, from metal, in particular aluminum, or from a carbon-based composite material, or from glass, linen, hemp fibers, or from aramid or polyethylene-type polymers with a very high molar mass.

[0025] In the description, the terms of positioning in space are defined in relation to the geometry of the stick. In particular:

[0026] - the term “longitudinal” is defined in relation to a direction DL following the extension axis of the stick;

[0027] - the term “radial” is defined in relation to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction;

[0028] - the term “tangential” is defined in relation to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and radial directions;

[0029] - the terms “upper” and “lower” are defined in relation to the position of use of the stick, and in the longitudinal direction;

[0030] - the terms “top” and “bottom” are defined in relation to the radial direction;

[0031] - the terms "inner" and "outer" refer to a radial arrangement respectively close to and far from the longitudinal axis of the stick.

[0032] The shaft 1 comprises an upper tube 2a equipped with a grip handle 3, by which the user grasps and holds the stick during the practice of a sporting activity. The handle 3 may for example be formed from a polymer material, and have a lower recess in which the upper part of the upper tube 2a is fixed. Advantageously, the handle 3 has a dimension and an external geometry which are adapted for a good manual grip for handling the stick. The handle 3 may also be equipped with an element for attaching the stick to the hand of a user (not shown), in particular in the form of a wrist strap or a gauntlet, to prevent the dropping and / or loss of said stick when the user temporarily releases said handle, said element being able to be permanently or detachably fixed to said handle.

[0033] The lower tube 2b carries a member 4 intended to come to bear on the ground when using the stick. To do this, the member 4 comprises a body 5 under which is fixed a point 6 for bearing on the ground, said point being able in particular to be made of metallic material, for example based on steel and / or tungsten carbide.

[0034] The body 5 may for example be made of an injected thermoplastic material, possibly reinforced with fibers, and comprises a lower end in which a hole is formed to allow the ground support point 6 to be force-mounted or screwed on.

[0035] The set of tubes 2a, 2b, 2c comprises at least one outer tube 2c which is mounted in telescopic sliding around an inner tube 2b over a longitudinal stroke. In the embodiment shown, the sliding stroke allows the height of the rod 1 to be adjusted. Alternatively, the sliding may allow the tubes 2c, 2b to be assembled to form at least one portion of rod 1, in particular in relation to a foldable rod 1.

[0036] The rod 1 shown comprises a third intermediate telescopic tube 2c which forms such an outer tube, and the lower end of which is provided for this purpose with an opening 8 to allow its telescopic sliding around a lower tube 2b provided with a ground support member 4. In Figure 1, the intermediate tube 2c further comprises an upper end which is equipped with a circumferential clamping collar 7 to allow the height adjustment of the handle 3 by relative sliding of the upper tube 2a relative to said intermediate tube.

[0037] Alternatively, the upper tube 2a can form an outer tube mounted in relative sliding around an inner intermediate tube 2c, following a configuration identical to that connecting the intermediate 2c and lower 2b tubes.

[0038] The inner tube 2b comprises an inner orifice 9 opening radially in its periphery, being equipped with a member 10 which is integral in longitudinal translation with said inner tube, said member being housed in translation along a direction DR of radial extension in said inner orifice, being elastically constrained between a retracted position in the inner tube 2b and a position projecting from the periphery of said inner tube.

[0039] Likewise, the outer tube 2c comprises at least one outer orifice 11 which is arranged in longitudinal alignment with the inner orifice 9 during the telescopic sliding of the tubes, said outer orifice being arranged to house the member 10 projecting from the inner orifice 9 in order to block said telescopic sliding in an adjustment position in which the member 10 is extended in the radially facing orifices 9, 11.

[0040] In the embodiment shown, the inner orifice 9 is formed near the edge of the inner tube 2b which is adjacent to the outer tube 2c, i.e. the upper edge of said inner tube.

[0041] Furthermore, the outer tube 2c comprises a single outer orifice 11 which is formed near its lower edge, in order to allow sliding locking of the tubes 2b, 2c only in the maximum deployment position of said inner tube outside of said inner tube. Thus, in this embodiment, the inner tube 2b is deployable only in one position, and is arranged to be fully retracted into the outer tube 2c to allow adjustment of the minimum height of the rod 1 to facilitate storage of the stick.

[0042] In a variant not shown, the outer tube 2c may have a plurality of outer orifices 11 which are aligned longitudinally, in particular by being spaced two by two at a constant pitch, each to define an adjustment height of the rod 1.

[0043] In relation to figures 2a, 2b, 3 and 4, the stick comprises a cylindrical socket 12 which is fixed in the upper end of the inner tube 2b, said socket having a housing 13 in which the member 10 is mounted.

[0044] Advantageously, the sleeve 12 is extended by a corolla 14 which is arranged in longitudinal projection from the upper end of the inner tube 2b, said corolla being arranged in longitudinal translation in the outer tube 2c during the telescopic sliding of the tubes 2b, 2c, in order to provide guidance for said sliding.

[0045] In particular, the outer tube 2c has longitudinal grooves 16 equally distributed angularly on its inner wall, the corolla 14 having ribs 15 arranged in said grooves to angularly index the telescopic sliding of the tubes 2b, 2c, in particular to prevent any relative rotation of said tubes around the longitudinal direction DL during said sliding.

[0046] In the embodiment shown, an elastic means 17 exerts a radial force of extension of the member 10 through the orifices 9, 11. To do this, a helical spring 17 is mounted in radial support between a lower wall of the housing 13 and an upper wall formed in the member 10. In particular, the spring 17 comprises a lower end which is arranged around a radial lug 18 formed in the housing 13 and an upper end which is arranged in a housing 19 formed under the member 10, in order to limit the movements of said spring during its radial movements. Furthermore, the member 10 has a base 20 which is arranged to come into abutment under the internal orifice 9 to define the projecting position, the housing 19 for receiving the spring 17 extending radially under said base.

[0047] The member 10 further has two portions 21 equipped with a means 22 for spacing along an expansion direction DT which is arranged to constrain the expansion of said member housed in the external orifice 11.

[0048] This arrangement makes it possible to limit the functional clearances between the member 10 and the external orifice 11, and therefore the relative movements of the tubes 2b, 2c in their adjustment position.

[0049] In the embodiment shown, the spacing means is arranged to exert a force between the portions in a direction DT which is perpendicular to the radial direction DR of extension of the member 10 through the orifices 9, 11.

[0050] Advantageously, the expansion direction DT of the member 10 extends tangentially, which makes it possible to prevent any relative rotation of said tubes around the longitudinal direction DL in their adjustment position.

[0051] In the figures, the member 10 is formed of two separate parts 10a, said parts each forming a portion 21. In particular, the member 10 is formed of two lateral parts 10a which are symmetrical along a plane P1 containing the radial direction DR of extension of the member 10 in the orifices 9, 11 and the longitudinal direction DL.

[0052] In the embodiment shown, the spacing means 22 is elastic, and is in the form of a helical spring mounted to bear between the portions 21.

[0053] In variants not shown, the member 10 may be formed from a single piece, having two portions 21 which are arranged to move apart tangentially by partial elastic deformation of said member. Similarly, the spacing means 22 may be formed from a piece arranged to be attached between the portions 21 after the member 10 has projected into the orifices 9, 11, in order to constrain their spacing to ensure the expansion of said member in the external orifice 11. According to another embodiment, the spacing means 22 may comprise at least one magnet.

[0054] In relation to figures 5 and 6a, each part 10a has lower walls 23 whose geometry is arranged to ensure the centering of the member 10 in the internal orifice 9 by radial extension of said member.

[0055] As shown in Figure 6a, the lower centering walls 23 have a conicity which is oriented in the direction DR of extension of the member 10, and the periphery of the internal orifice 9 has flat edges 24 on which respectively one of said walls comes into centering support by extension of said member.

[0056] The member 10 also has high walls 25 whose geometry is arranged to come into contact without play in the external orifice 11 by expansion of said member, in order to limit the risks of untimely relative movements between the tubes 2b, 2c in their adjustment position.

[0057] As shown in Figures 5 and 6b, the upper support walls 25 have a conicity which is oriented along the direction DT of expansion of the member 10, and the periphery of the external orifice 11 has edges 26 of geometry complementary to that of said upper walls.

[0058] In particular, each of the portions 21 has two lower centering walls 23 and two upper support walls 25, said lower walls - respectively upper walls - being symmetrical along a plane P2 containing the directions of extension DR and expansion DT of the member 10.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Accessory for sporting activity having a rod (1) formed from a set of tubes (2a, 2b, 2c), said set having at least one outer tube (2c) which is mounted in telescopic sliding around an inner tube (2b) over a longitudinal stroke, said inner tube comprising an inner orifice (9) opening radially from its periphery, said inner orifice being equipped with a member (10) integral in longitudinal translation with the inner tube (2b), said member being housed in translation along a direction (DR) of radial extension in said inner orifice while being elastically constrained between a retracted position in the inner tube (2b) and a position projecting from the periphery of said inner tube, the outer tube (2c) comprising at least one outer orifice (11) which is arranged in longitudinal alignment with the inner orifice (9) during the telescopic sliding of the tubes (2b, 2c),said external orifice being arranged to house the member (10) projecting from the internal orifice (9) in order to block said telescopic sliding in a position in which the member (10) is extended in the radially facing orifices (9, 11), said accessory being characterized in that the member (10) has two portions (21) equipped with a spacing means (22) in an expansion direction (DT) which is arranged to constrain the expansion of said member housed in the external orifice (11)., 2. Accessory for sporting activity according to claim 1, characterized in that the member (10) is formed of two separate pieces (10a) which each form a portion (21).

3. Accessory for sporting activity according to claim 2, characterized in that the member (10) is formed of two lateral parts (10a) which are symmetrical along a plane (P1) containing the radial direction (DR) of extension and the longitudinal direction (DL).

4. Accessory for sporting activity according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the spacing means (22) is elastic.

5. Accessory for sporting activity according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spacing means (22) is arranged to exert a force between the portions (21) in a direction (DT) which is perpendicular to the radial direction (DR) of extension of the member (10) through the orifices (9, 11).

6. Accessory for sporting activity according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the member (10) has lower walls (23) whose geometry is arranged to ensure the centering of said member in the internal orifice (9) by extension of said member.

7. Accessory for sporting activity according to claim 6, characterized in that the lower centering walls (23) have a conicity oriented in the direction (DR) of extension of the member (10), the periphery of the internal orifice (9) having flat edges (24) on which respectively one of said walls comes into centering support by extension of the member (10).

8. Accessory for sporting activity according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that each of the portions (21) has two lower centering walls (23), said walls being symmetrical along a plane (P2) containing the directions of expansion (DT) and extension (DR) of the member (10).

9. Accessory for sporting activity according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the member (10) has high walls (25) whose geometry is arranged to come into contact without play in the external orifice (11) by expansion of said member.

10. Accessory for sporting activity according to claim 9, characterized in that the upper support walls (25) have a conicity oriented along the direction (DT) of expansion of the member (10), the periphery of the external orifice (11) having edges (26) of geometry complementary to those of said walls.

11. Accessory for sporting activity according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that each of the portions (21) has two upper support walls (25), said walls being symmetrical along a plane (P2) containing the directions of expansion (DT) and extension (DR) of the member (10).

12. Accessory for sporting activity according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a cylindrical sleeve (12) which is fixed in the inner tube (2b), said sleeve having a housing (13) in which the member (10) is mounted, said sleeve (12) being extended by a corolla (14) which is arranged in longitudinal projection from the inner tube (2b), said corolla being arranged in longitudinal translation in the outer tube (2c) during the telescopic sliding of the tubes (2b, 2c).

13. Accessory according to claim 12, characterized in that the outer tube (2c) has internal longitudinal grooves (16), the corolla (14) comprising ribs (15) arranged in said grooves to angularly index the telescopic sliding of the tubes (2b, 2c).

14. Accessory for sporting activity according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises an upper tube (2a) equipped with a gripping handle (3) and a lower tube (2c) carrying a ground support member (4) so as to form a walking or running stick.

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