Adjustable Pole Clamping Apparatus with Eccentric Lever
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices for adjustable hiking, trekking, Nordic walking, cross-country skiing, and ski poles face challenges with temperature variations affecting clamping force, elasticity, and wear, leading to inconsistent performance and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device featuring a plastic sleeve with axial slots and a metal band for enhanced stability, combined with a clamping lever and cross pin mechanism that provides high clamping force with minimal effort, and is designed to function effectively across a wide temperature range and in adverse conditions like ice and snow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a plastic sleeve clamping mechanism is used, then the device is simple in construction, but the clamping force is insufficient and affected by temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device combines a plastic sleeve with a metal band to create a composite structure. The plastic sleeve provides simplicity of construction and corrosion resistance, while the metal band adds structural stability and maintains clamping force across temperature variations. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties.
2Reliability
If a metal clamping mechanism is used, then the clamping force is high and durable, but the device becomes more complex and prone to corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure where the metal band provides the necessary clamping force and durability, while the plastic sleeve simplifies the overall construction and protects against corrosion. The metal band is integrated into the plastic sleeve, creating a hybrid component that leverages the strengths of both materials.
3Device complexity
If the plastic sleeve is made completely circumferential, then the structure is simple, but the clamping force distribution is uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic sleeve is segmented by introducing axial slots that divide the circumferential structure into sections. These slots allow the sleeve to flex and conform to the pole, enabling more uniform clamping force distribution while maintaining overall structural simplicity. The segmentation creates flexibility without significantly increasing complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If axial slots are added to the plastic sleeve, then clamping force distribution improves, but the sleeve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The axial slots are simple linear features that segment the plastic sleeve into flexible sections. This segmentation improves clamping force distribution by allowing the sleeve to conform to the pole's shape, while the slots themselves are straightforward to manufacture and do not significantly increase overall structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves a stable and long-lasting clamping force, resistant to temperature variations and wear, ensuring consistent performance and durability even in harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the clamping lever has a rolling area (or sliding area) eccentric about the axis of rotation, by means of which the distance between the stop and a counter surface arranged on the outside of the first projection for clamping can be reduced by pivoting the clamping lever into the closed position
Implementation Method 2
the clamping device comprises a plastic sleeve which essentially directly surrounds the pipe section at least in an axial section and clamps it in the closed state
Data Source
Figure 1a~1h
Figure 1i~1n
Figure 2a~2g
AI summary
The invention relates to a clamping apparatus (1) for a hiking pole, trekking pole, nordic walking pole, cross-country skiing pole or skiing pole for detachably axially fixing a pipe section (3) that can be inserted into an opening of the clamping apparatus, wherein the clamping apparatus comprises a plastic collar (5), which substantially directly encloses the pipe section (3) at least in an axial section and clamps the same in the closed state, wherein at least in the region (5b) enclosing the pipe section (2) the plastic collar (5) comprises at least one axial slot (6, 15) making the circumference of the plastic collar variable in said region and is designed in a substantially peripheral manner in the remaining axial region (5a), wherein on either side of said slot (6) a projection (13, 14) is arranged on the plastic collar (5), wherein said projections (13, 14) comprise a coaxial passage opening (23) which is arranged substantially perpendicular to the axis (24) of the pipe section (3) and through which a transverse pin (11) penetrates, which on the outside of the second projection (14) has a stop (12) and which on the outside of the first projection (13) has a rotational axis (7) for a clamping lever (4), the axis being arranged perpendicular to the axis of the transverse pin (11) and perpendicular to the axis (24) of the pipe section (3), wherein the clamping lever (4) comprises a lever arm (9), which at least partially encloses the plastic collar (5) when the clamping apparatus (1) is closed, and wherein the clamping lever (3) comprises a roll-off region (8), which is eccentric with respect to the rotational axis (7) and by means of which the distance between the stop (12) and a counter surface (19) arranged on the outside of the first projection (13) for clamping can be reduced by pivoting the clamping lever (4) into the closed position, and wherein the counter surface (19) is designed in the form of a metal element (16, 27) arranged at least partially in the first projection (13) in a depression (18).