Pole for sports activity

Abstract

The invention relates to a pole comprising a rod (1) having a lower part (1a) with respect to which a bearing member (3) for bearing against the ground is mounted in translation by means of a shock-damping system, said system comprising an elastically compressible component (8) which is interposed between said bearing member and said lower part so as to be compressed over a travel of their relative translation, the pole being equipped with a mechanism for blocking the rotation of the bearing member (3) with respect to the lower part (1a), said mechanism comprising a washer (21) and a sleeve (22) which are fixed with respect to a respective one of the bearing member (3) and the lower part (1a), said washer having a bore (21a) in which the sleeve (22) is mounted in translation over the compression travel, said bore and said sleeve comprising geometric means cooperating to guide their translation while holding them angularly.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Stick for sports activity

[0003] The invention relates to a stick for sporting activity.

[0004] It applies in particular to a walking stick, for example Nordic or trekking type, to allow the walker to propel himself using his arms to support himself on the ground, or to a running stick, particularly for trail running, to help the runner when progressing on uneven terrain.

[0005] 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 member, for example in the form of a metal tip.

[0006] The support member may be equipped with a collar which is mounted on its outer periphery, in particular by screwing, in order to limit the sinking of the stick when said member rests on soft ground.

[0007] Document EP-0 820 711 discloses a walking stick, in particular for hiking, which is equipped with a system for absorbing the shocks of the support member on the ground, said system comprising for this purpose an elastically compressible component which is arranged in a cage formed between the shaft of said stick and said support member on the ground.

[0008] When the member is supported on the ground, or when an accessory such as a collar and / or a point is mounted or removed from it, the support member may rotate relative to the rod, which represents a risk of tearing by shear of the elastically compressible component.

[0009] To solve this problem, document WO-2022 / 189458 provides for the use of a guide bearing which has on its outer periphery ribs arranged to be engaged in axial grooves formed in the inner periphery of the rod, in order to prevent any relative rotation between the support member and said rod.

[0010] The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing a stick for sporting activity in which the rotation of the support member relative to the rod is reliably prevented by means of a simplified and easy-to-assemble mechanism.

[0011] To this end, the invention proposes a stick for sporting activity comprising a shaft having an upper part equipped with a grip handle and a lower part relative to which a ground support member is mounted in translation by means of a shock-absorbing system, said system comprising an elastically compressible component which is interposed between said support member and said lower part to be compressed over a stroke of their relative translation, said stick being equipped with a mechanism for blocking the rotation of the support member relative to the lower part, the blocking mechanism comprising a washer and a sleeve fixed relative to respectively the support member for one and the lower part for the other, said washer having a bore in which the sleeve is mounted in translation over the compression stroke,said bore and said sleeve comprising geometric means cooperating to guide their translation while maintaining them angularly.,

[0012] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, given with reference to the appended figures, in which: [Fig.1] represents the lower part of a stick for sporting activity according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0013] [Fig. 2] represents, in longitudinal section along plane AA, an enlargement of figure 1 at the level of the shock absorption system;

[0014] [Fig.3a] and [Fig.3b] are longitudinal sections of Figure 1 in which the elastically compressible component is in the rest position (Figure 3a) and compressed position (Figure 3b) respectively;

[0015] [Fig.4] shows a top view of the washer of the rotation locking mechanism of the previous figures;

[0016] [Fig.5] represents, in perspective view from below, the sleeve of the rotation locking mechanism of the previous figures.

[0017] In connection with these figures, a stick for sports activity is described below.

[0018] The pole can be a walking stick, for example Nordic or trekking pole, and allows, especially when used in pairs, the walker to propel themselves using their arms to support themselves on the ground. The pole can also be a running pole, especially for trail running, to help the runner when progressing on uneven terrain.

[0019] The stick comprises a rod 1, for example formed from metal, in particular aluminum, or from a carbon-based composite material, or from wood, bamboo, glass, linen, hemp fibers or from aramid or polyethylene plastic of very high molar mass. The rod 1 has an upper part (not shown) and a lower part 1a, and can be made in a single piece or in several segments associated together, forming an inner conduit 2 extending along an axis parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the rod 1.

[0020] In the description, the terms "axial" and "radial" are defined relative to this axis (vertical in the figures), and refer to positions respectively along this axis and moving away from or approaching it. Similarly, the terms "upper" and "lower" are defined relative to the position of use of the stick, as shown in particular in figures 1, 3a and 3b.

[0021] The upper part of the rod 1 is equipped with a grip handle, by which the user grips and holds the stick during the practice of a sporting activity. The handle may for example be formed from a polymer material, and have a lower recess in which the upper part of the rod 1 is fixed.

[0022] Advantageously, the handle has a dimension and an external geometry which are adapted for a good manual grip for handling the stick. The handle may also be equipped with an element for attaching the stick to the hand of a user, in particular in the form of a wrist strap or a gauntlet, to prevent the dropping and / or loss of said stick when the user temporarily releases said handle, said element being able to be permanently or detachably attached to said handle.

[0023] The lower part 1a is equipped with a member 3 intended to come to bear on the ground when using the stick. To do this, the member 3 comprises a body 4 under which is fixed a point 5 for bearing on the ground, said point being able in particular to be made of metallic material, for example based on steel and / or tungsten carbide.

[0024] The member 3 may for example be made of an injected thermoplastic material, possibly reinforced with fibers, and comprises a lower end 3a in which a tapped hole 6 is formed to allow the ground support point 5 to be mounted by force or by screwing.

[0025] In the embodiment shown, the tip 5 is fixed by screwing into the body 4, which has for this purpose an inscription 4a, for example in alphanumeric form and / or arrows, to indicate to the user the direction of rotation to be applied to carry out said screwing.

[0026] The support member 3 may also be equipped with a collar (not shown), which may be mounted by screwing onto the outer periphery of the body 4, for this purpose having a threaded bore intended to cooperate with a screw thread 7 formed on said body. As for the tip 5, the body 4 also has an inscription 4b, in particular in alphanumeric form and / or arrows, to indicate to the user the direction of rotation to be applied to screw the collar onto the member 3.

[0027] The collar has a lower ground support surface which can advantageously be arranged to limit its sliding on the ground, in particular by having geometric patterns. In particular, this support surface can be optimized to limit sliding on soft ground, in particular by having an extended geometry, and the tip 5 is arranged to allow grip on hard ground, in particular by having a reduced support surface 5a.

[0028] In relation to figures 3a and 3b, the tip 5 comprises a body 5b provided with an upper threaded rod 5c which is fixed by screwing into the tapped hole 6 of the member 3, as well as a lower cavity in which a ground support part 5d of reduced width is fitted, the support surface 5a being formed in the lower part of said part.

[0029] The member 3 is mounted in translation relative to the lower part 1a by means of a system for absorbing the shocks of said member on the ground, said system comprising an elastically compressible component 8 which is interposed between said support member and said lower part to be compressed over a stroke of their relative translation, as shown in Figures 3a and 3b.

[0030] In the embodiment shown, the elastically compressible component is formed of a ring 8 which may be formed from an elastomeric material, in particular in the form of a foam. The elastomeric material may for example comprise a polyurethane foam, a foamed silicone, or an expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (eTPU), or even rubber, in particular of the TPR (for Thermo Propylen Rubber) type. Alternatively, the elastically compressible component 8 may comprise a spring of compressible geometry, for example helical, or be in the form of an air damping component.

[0031] The body 4 has an upper seat 4c on which the elastically compressible ring 8 is arranged in axial support. Similarly, the lower part 1a of the rod 1 is equipped with an end piece 9 having a lower seat 9a on which the ring 8 is also arranged in axial support.

[0032] Advantageously, at least one of the seats 4c, 9a may have hollow impressions 10 for locking the ring 8 in rotation, which may itself have complementary raised patterns 11 for anchoring in said impressions.

[0033] The end piece 9 can be made of plastic, and comprises a cylindrical body 9b in which the lower part 1a of the rod 1 is fixed by fitting, gluing or screwing, said body ensuring in particular the correct alignment of the parts during assembly.

[0034] Thus, when the member 3 comes to bear on the ground, the body 4 moves in translation relative to the lower part 1a of the rod 1, which causes compression of the ring 8 and therefore shock absorption. Then, when the contact of the member 3 against the ground is interrupted, said member returns to its initial position by elastic return of the ring 8 to its rest position.

[0035] To improve user comfort, the stick is equipped with means for absorbing vibrations generated by impacts of the member 3 on the ground, in order to prevent said vibrations from propagating along the rod 1, and in particular to the grip handle.

[0036] To do this, the support member 3 has an upper extension 12 which is mounted in translation in the lower part 1a of the rod 1 by means of a guide system, said guide system comprising at least one vibration decoupling element 13a, 13b which is interposed between said upper extension and said lower part.

[0037] Thus, the guidance of the support member 3 is carried out optimally inside the rod 1 by providing vibration decoupling allowing in particular, by avoiding direct contact between said support member and said rod, to absorb the vibrations before they can propagate along said rod to the handle.

[0038] In the figures, the support member 3 comprises a tube 14 having an upper part 14a forming the upper extension 12, said upper part being mounted in translation in the lower part 1a of the rod 1.

[0039] The tube 14 is formed from a piece separate from the body 4, and has a lower part 14b around which said body is arranged, in particular by fitting said lower part into a housing 4d provided for this purpose in said body.

[0040] Alternatively, the tube 14 may be formed in one piece with the body 4, in particular by molding and injection of a thermoplastic material. In particular, the tube 14 may be made from polyamide loaded with fiberglass or carbon.

[0041] Furthermore, the elastically compressible ring 8 has a bore 8a in which an intermediate part 14c of the tube 14 is arranged in order to allow the sliding of said tube over the compression stroke of said ring.

[0042] Advantageously, the guidance system comprises a top vibration decoupling element 13a and a bottom vibration decoupling element 13b, which allows optimal guidance and effective absorption of vibrations. These decoupling elements 13a, 13b are both interposed between the upper extension 12 and the lower part 1a of the rod 1, respectively in the upper part and in the lower part. Each vibration decoupling element comprises a decoupling ring 13 which is mounted around the upper extension 12. The decoupling rings 13 can be made from a viscoelastic material, in particular rubber, silicone or SEBS type thermoplastic elastomer. According to one embodiment, at least one decoupling ring 13, in particular that forming the bottom vibration decoupling element 13b, can be made in a single piece with the compressible ring 8.

[0043] The decoupling rings 13 are axially immobilized between an upper stop 15a, 16a and / or a lower stop 15b, at least one of these stops 15a, 15b, 16a being formed by a radial fold 17 formed on the upper extension 12.

[0044] In Figures 3a and 3b, the upper decoupling ring 13 is axially immobilized between two stops 15a, 15b each formed by such a radial fold 17, and the lower decoupling ring 13 is axially immobilized under an upper stop 16a formed by such a radial fold 17.

[0045] Each vibration decoupling element 13a, 13b comprises a bearing 18 for guiding the upper extension 12 in translation in the conduit 2 of the rod 1, said bearing being interposed between the decoupling ring 13 and the inner periphery of the lower part 1a of said rod. Alternatively, the decoupling ring 13 may be interposed between the bearing 18 and the inner periphery of the lower part 1a of the rod 1, in particular by providing that the ring 13 is mounted in said rod.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the vibration decoupling rings 13 have a coefficient of friction which is sufficient to keep the guide bearings 18 rotating relative to the upper extension 12, the maintenance of a guide bearing 18 rotating relative to the upper extension 12 being ensured by shape cooperation between said bearing and said extension. Furthermore, the outer periphery of the decoupling rings 13 and / or the inner periphery of the guide bearings 18 has projections 19 and / or radial recesses 20 cooperating at the interface between said peripheries to improve the axial and / or radial securing of the guide bearings 18 around the decoupling rings 12.

[0047] In particular, the inner periphery of the bearings 18 has a radial projection 19 engaged in a substantially complementary radial hollow 20 formed on the outer periphery of the decoupling rings 13.

[0048] The stick is equipped with a mechanism for locking the rotation of the support member relative to the lower part 1a, in order to limit the risks of tearing by shearing of the ring 8, in particular when said member is pressed on the ground and / or when screwing and / or unscrewing a collar and / or a point 5 as described previously onto it.

[0049] The locking mechanism comprises a washer 21 and a sleeve 22 fixed relative to the support member 3 for one and the lower part 1a for the other, the washer 21 having a bore 21a in which the sleeve 22 is mounted in translation on a compression stroke of the ring 8, said bore and said sleeve comprising geometric means cooperating to guide their translation while maintaining them angularly.

[0050] The washer 21 can be produced by stamping a metallic material, in particular stainless steel, the support member 3 or the lower part 1a having an annular groove 23 in which the periphery 21b of said washer is axially immobilized.

[0051] Likewise, the sleeve 22 can be made from a polyamide filled with glass fiber, and has fixing lugs 24 in complementary orifices 4e formed for this purpose in the support member 3 or in the lower part 1a. In the embodiment shown, the washer 21 is fixed to the lower part 1a, the sleeve 22 being fixed in the support member 3.

[0052] In particular, the washer 21 is integrated inside the end piece 9, the body 9b of which has for this purpose an annular groove 23 as described previously. Alternatively, the washer 21 can be carried by a ring which is overmolded by the end piece 9, or made in one piece with said end piece.

[0053] In relation to figures 2, 3a and 3b, the sleeve 22 is mounted in the bore 8a of the compressible ring 8, and has a bore 22a in which the intermediate part 14c of the upper tube 14 carrying the vibration decoupling element(s) 13a, 13b is axially fitted. In a variant not shown, the lower decoupling ring 13 can come into axial support on a lower stop formed in the upper part of the sleeve 22.

[0054] Furthermore, the body 4 is equipped with complementary orifices 4e in which the fixing lugs 24 of the sleeve 22 are engaged.

[0055] The geometric means for guiding the sleeve 22 in translation in the washer 21 comprise angularly spaced radial notches 25 and tracks 26 in which respectively a notch 25 is guided in translation with reduced play to ensure angular maintenance.

[0056] In Figures 4 and 5, the notches 25 are formed in the bore 21a of the washer 21, the tracks 26 being formed in the sleeve 22.

[0057] In particular, the sleeve 22 has tabs 27 which extend longitudinally, being angularly separated by grooves 28 forming the guide tracks 26.

[0058] The legs 27 are associated at their upper end with a ring 22b formed in one piece with them, and on which the lower decoupling element 13b can come into axial support. The legs 27 each have a free lower end 29, the lugs 24 being formed on at least some of said ends.

[0059] In relation to figure 5, the sleeve 22 has four angularly equidistant legs 27, two diametrically opposed legs 27a being equipped with a lug 24 on their free end 29.

[0060] Advantageously, the sleeve 22 is equipped with means 29 for axially limiting the relative translation of the support member 3 with respect to the lower part 1a following the compression stroke.

[0061] To do this, as shown in Figure 5, the sleeve 22 comprises two tabs 27b spaced angularly at a substantially right angle relative to the tabs 27a carrying the lugs 24, each of these tabs 27b having two lateral protrusions 30 which each extend angularly in a respective adjacent groove 28, in order to form a stop on which a notch 25 is intended to come into axial support at the end of the compression stroke of the ring 8.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Stick for sporting activity comprising a shaft (1) having an upper part equipped with a grip handle and a lower part (1a) relative to which a ground support member (3) is mounted in translation by means of a shock-absorbing system, said system comprising an elastically compressible component (8) which is interposed between said support member and said lower part to be compressed over a stroke of their relative translation, said stick being equipped with a mechanism for blocking the rotation of the support member (3) relative to the lower part (1a), said stick being characterized in that said blocking mechanism comprises a washer (21) and a sleeve (22) fixed relative to respectively the support member (3) for one and the lower part (1a) for the other, said washer having a bore (21a) in which the sleeve (22) is mounted in translation over the compression stroke,said bore and said sleeve comprising geometric means (25, 26) cooperating to guide their translation while maintaining them angularly., 2. Stick for sporting activity according to claim 1, in which the geometric means comprise angularly spaced radial notches (25) and tracks (26) in which respectively a notch (25) is guided in translation with reduced play to ensure angular maintenance.

3. Stick for sports activity according to claim 2, characterized in that the notches (25) are formed in the bore (21a) of the washer (21), the tracks (26) being formed in the sleeve (22).

4. Stick for sporting activity according to claim 3, characterized in that the sleeve (22) has lugs (27) extending longitudinally, said lugs being angularly separated by grooves (28) forming guide tracks (26).

5. Stick for sports activity according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sleeve (22) has lugs (24) for fixing in complementary orifices (4e) of the support member (3) or of the lower part (1a).

6. Stick for sporting activity according to one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the legs (27) each have a free end (29), the lugs (24) being formed on at least some of said ends.

7. Stick for sporting activity according to claim 6, characterized in that the sleeve (22) has four legs (27) equally distributed angularly, two diametrically opposed legs (27a) being equipped with a lug (24) on their free end (29).

8. Stick for sports activity according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the support member (3) or the lower part (1a) has an annular groove (23) in which the periphery (21b) of the washer (21) is axially immobilized.

9. Stick for sporting activity according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the washer (21) is fixed to the lower part (1a), the sleeve (22) being fixed in the support member (3).

10. Stick for sporting activity according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the support member (3) comprises a body (4) under which is fixed a point (5) for support on the ground, said body having an upper seat (4c) on which the elastically compressible component (8) is arranged in axial support.

11. Stick for sports activity according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the lower part (1a) of the rod (1) is equipped with a tip (9) having a lower seat (9a) on which the elastically compressible component (8) is arranged in axial support.

12. Stick for sports activity according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that at least one of the seats (4c, 9a) has hollow impressions (10) for maintaining rotation of the elastically compressible component (8).

13. Stick for sporting activity according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the support member (3) comprises a tube (14) having an upper part (14a) which is mounted in translation in the lower part (1a) of the rod (1), the elastically compressible component (8) being formed of a ring having a bore (8a) in which an intermediate part (14c) of the tube (14) is arranged.

14. Stick for sporting activity according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the support member (3) is equipped with a collar which is mounted by screwing (7) on the periphery of said support member.

15. Stick for sporting activity according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the support member (3) has an upper extension (12) which is mounted in translation in the lower part (1a) of the rod (1) by means of a guide system, said guide system comprising at least one vibration decoupling element (13a, 13b) which is interposed between said upper extension and said lower part.

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