Pole Tube Clamping Lever for Compact Positive Axial Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pole constructions for sports such as walking, Nordic walking, and skiing lack a reliable and compact mechanism for positively locking the axial position of inner and outer tubes, especially when folded for storage, which limits their packability and usability.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device featuring a tiltably articulated clamping lever with a spring-loaded mechanism, comprising a plastic sleeve and a metal band, that securely fixes the inner tube within the outer tube through a radial passage and groove system, allowing for adjustable length settings and self-latching functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If an internal fixing mechanism is used to fix the relative position of tube portions, then the pole can be adjusted to a small pack mass for storage, but the mechanism becomes complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fixing function from the inner tube and relocates it to the outer tube. The outer tube receives a clamping device with a clamping lever that can be actuated from the outside to engage with the inner tube, thereby fixing its position. This extraction simplifies the inner tube's structure and allows for easier manufacturing while achieving the same pack mass reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the inner tube actively engage with the outer tube through an internal mechanism, the invention inverts the approach by having the outer tube's clamping device actively engage with the inner tube from the outside. The clamping lever is articulated on the outer tube and reaches through radial passage openings to clamp the inner tube, reversing the traditional internal-fixing concept.
2Device complexity
If external fixing mechanisms are used to fix the axial position of tube portions, then the structure is simpler, but they are not suitable for mounting more than two pole tubes displaceably into one another
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device designed for the outer tube is a universal solution that can accommodate multiple inner tubes simultaneously. The outer tube's clamping device with its articulated lever system can engage with one or more inner tubes displaced within it, providing a single versatile fixing mechanism that works for 2, 3, or more tube configurations without requiring different mechanisms for each case.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the fixing function by separating the clamping device (mounted on the outer tube) from the tubes being fixed. This segmentation allows the outer tube's clamping device to independently manage the positioning of multiple inner tubes, enabling the system to scale from two tubes to three or more tubes using the same fundamental mechanism.
3Reliability
If a clamping mechanism with a joint is used to fix the inner tube, then the fixing is reliable, but the mechanism becomes more complex with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the clamping lever, spring element, and radial engagement features into a single integrated clamping device that is mounted on the outer tube. The clamping lever is articulated directly on the outer tube and combines the leveraging action, spring-loaded engagement, and radial clamping function in one unified component system, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining reliable fixing.
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
Enables a compact and reliable axial fixing of pole tubes, facilitating efficient folding and storage while maintaining structural integrity and adjustability, thereby enhancing the usability and packability of sports poles.
Implementation Method 1
a clamping lever (6) which is articulated tiltably against the restoring force of a spring element (10) on the outside via an axis (8)
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping device (1) for a walking pole for securing an inner tube (3) which can be slid into an opening of the clamping device that is secured to an outer tube (2). There is a plastic sleeve (4), on which a clamping lever (6) is hinged against the force of a spring element (10). The clamping lever (6) has a first lever arm (12) for releasing the clamping device (1) and a second lever arm (11) arranged on the other side. The second lever arm (11) has a protrusion (9) which is arranged radially to the pole axis (36) and which engages into and through a radial through-opening (19) in the plastic sleeve (4) and engages into a groove (22) of the inner tube (3) in a formfitting manner in order to axially secure the two tubes (2, 3).