Nordic Walking Pole Buffer with Bayonet Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Nordic walking poles with exchangeable buffers suffer from insecure connections, particularly with extendable tips or height-adjustable designs, leading to buffer distortion, dirt accumulation, and difficulty in replacing buffers without tools.
Innovation Solution
A Nordic walking pole with a detachable rubber-elastic buffer featuring a hard plastic insert secured in a central recess, utilizing a bayonet lock for secure attachment and easy exchange, preventing rotation and ensuring a form-fitting connection that is resistant to dirt and easy to maintain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a frictionally engaged connection is used for the buffer, then the buffer can be easily attached, but the connection becomes insecure and the buffer can become distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer is divided into two distinct parts: a rubber-elastic outer layer providing cushioning and a hard inner insert providing structural integrity. This segmentation allows the soft buffer to be replaced easily while the hard insert maintains a secure, distortion-resistant connection to the pole through the bayonet lock mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer combines two different materials with complementary properties: rubber-elastic material for shock absorption and a hard material (such as plastic or metal) for structural stability and secure attachment. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by allowing the soft material to be easily attached while the hard material ensures reliable, distortion-free connection.
2Device complexity
If a purely frictionally engaged connection is used, then the buffer can be simply fitted, but the buffer cannot be securely fixed in a specific rotational position
Solution Approach 1:
The bayonet lock mechanism provides a dynamic connection that transitions from a simple friction fit during insertion to a locked, fixed rotational position upon engagement. The asymmetric profile of the insert and corresponding recess work together to automatically orient the buffer correctly while maintaining ease of attachment and detachment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an extendable tip system is used, then the pole can be adapted to changing terrain, but dirt accumulates between the tip and pole tube preventing movement
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of dirt accumulation is extracted and eliminated by replacing the friction-based extendable tip system with a bayonet lock mechanism. The hard insert with asymmetric profile prevents dirt from interfering with the connection, as the locked mechanism does not rely on friction between sliding surfaces that can accumulate debris.
4Reliability
If the buffer is made of rubber-elastic material only, then it provides good cushioning, but it is difficult to replace without tools
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer is segmented into a replaceable rubber-elastic outer layer and a permanent hard inner insert with the bayonet lock connection. This allows the cushioning element to be easily replaced by users without tools, while the structural insert remains fixed to the pole, combining ease of repair with reliable cushioning performance.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a Nordic walking pole, comprising a pole tube (2), at the lower end of which an attachment (3) is provided, to which attachment a buffer (4) of rubber-elastic material is detachably fastened. The buffer according to the invention has an insert (5) of hard material in a central cut-out. Said insert is fastened to the attachment in order to connect the buffer to the pole.