Pole Grip Strap Fastening Mechanism for Tool-Free Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening mechanisms for hand straps on pole handles, such as cross-country skiing poles, lack simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and reliability in adjusting the strap length without tools, and often fail to prevent extension unless actively released.

Innovation Solution

A fastening mechanism with a rotatably or tiltably mounted triggering element in a recessed area of the handle, allowing the hand strap to be adjusted by tilting the trigger element, which is clamped between the recess's inner wall and a retaining area, enabling extension only when actively released, and featuring a T-shaped recess for secure attachment and a spring for automatic clamping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a fastening mechanism is designed to be simple and cost-effective, then manufacturing cost and production ease improve, but reliability and security of the hand strap attachment may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing cost and production easeVSAvoidreliability of hand strap attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening mechanism is divided into distinct functional components: a trigger element for active release, an automatic locking component that engages with the hand strap, and a recess structure that guides and secures the strap. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening mechanism incorporates automatic locking and securing features that operate without external intervention once the hand strap is inserted. The automatic locking component engages with the trigger element and recess structure to secure the hand strap in place, providing reliable attachment without requiring additional fastening actions or complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the fastening mechanism allows variable adjustment of hand strap length, then adaptability and ease of operation improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariable hand strap length adjustmentVSAvoidcomplexity of fastening mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening mechanism incorporates a dynamic trigger element that can be actively manipulated to release the automatic locking component, allowing the hand strap length to be adjusted. The trigger element rotates or tilts about an axis to disengage the locking mechanism, enabling variable adjustment while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger element serves multiple functions: it acts as a manual release mechanism for active adjustment, engages with the automatic locking component to enable variable length adjustment, and maintains the structural integrity of the fastening mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the recess is designed as a through opening at an acute angle to the pole axis, then ease of operation and accessibility of the trigger element improve, but susceptibility to dirt and snow ingress increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of trigger elementVSAvoiddirt and snow ingress
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The recess is designed as a through opening oriented at an acute angle to the pole axis, creating a three-dimensional pathway that allows the trigger element to be accessed and manipulated from the rear grip area. This angular orientation provides ergonomic accessibility while the recess structure itself helps guide and contain potential contaminants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The recess structure, while potentially susceptible to dirt and snow ingress, is designed to channel and contain these contaminants within the recess boundaries. The automatic locking component and trigger element arrangement within the recess allows the structure to serve dual purposes: providing accessible operation while directing harmful factors away from critical functional areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 mechanism allows for variable hand strap length adjustment without tools, ensuring secure clamping and easy extension, while preventing dirt and snow ingress through a labyrinth seal design, enhancing user convenience and durability.

Implementation Method 1

a spring for automatic clamping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

preventing dirt and snow ingress through a labyrinth seal design

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP2547228B1Pole grip
Publication Date: 2019.04.17 LEKISPORT AG
  • EP2547228B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP2547228B1 patent drawingFigure 1d~1g

AI summary

A pole grip (1) is described and claimed, in particular for a cross-country skiing pole, trekking pole, skiing pole or Nordic walking pole, with a fastening mechanism for a hand loop (15, 16), which allows the hand loop (15, 16) to be fixed with variable length, wherein the fastening mechanism is arranged in a recess (8) in the head region of the pole grip (1). The grip is in this case characterized in particular in that the fastening mechanism comprises a triggering element (11) pivotably mounted about a pivot axis (7), arranged transversely in relation to a pole axis (28) or pole grip axis, and arranged in the recess (8), in that the recess (8) is designed as a through-opening which is aligned at an acute angle to the pole axis (28) and the lower opening (9) of which opens outwards within or above a rear grip region (4), facing the palm of the hand, and the upper opening (10) of which opens upwards towards the upper side of the pole grip (1), wherein the hand loop (15, 16) is fastened by a first end portion (16'') to the triggering element (11), passes through the lower opening (9) outwards towards the hand, and the hand loop (15, 16) is inserted with a second end portion (16') through the lower opening (9) into the recess (8), in the securely clamped state is guided between an inner wall (26, 27) and a retaining region (21) of the triggering element (11), arranged above the pivot axis (7), and is clamped in a non-positively and/or positively locking manner, and is guided through the upper opening (10) out of the pole grip (1), and wherein the clamping is released by a tilting of the triggering element (11) about the pivot axis (7) and the second end portion (16') can be moved downwards in the pole grip (1).