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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
CONNECTION ASSEMBLY BETWEEN A SKI-POLE AND THE HAND OF THE SKIER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2012/176053
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Connection assembly between a ski -pole 2 and the hand of the skier comprising at least one hooking means 4 for holding the ski pole 2 being used. Said at least one hooking means 4 comprises a fixing portion 42, adapted, in use, to be locked in a releasable manner with a grip handle 22 of ski-pole 2, and a fitting portion, adapted, in use, to be engaged by at least one portion of the hand wearing a ski glove G used during ski activities, so that the hold of ski-pole 2 can be guaranteed.

Inventors:
RIGAT MARCO (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2012/001238
Publication Date:
December 27, 2012
Filing Date:
June 22, 2012
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
RIGAT MARCO (IT)
International Classes:
A63C11/22
Foreign References:
DE19810187A11999-09-16
EP1970105A12008-09-17
DE9401287U11994-04-07
US5549330A1996-08-27
DE9401287U11994-04-07
US5549330A1996-08-27
DE19810187A11999-09-16
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
DI GENNARO, Sergio (Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 61, Torino, IT)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS :

1. Connection assembly between a ski-pole (2) and the hand of the skier comprising at least one hooking means (4) for holding the ski-pole (2) being used, said at least one hooking means (4) comprises:

• a fitting portion, which is adapted, in use, to be engaged by at least one portion of the hand wearing a ski glove (G) used during ski activities, so that the grip of the ski -pole (2) can be guaranteed;

• a fixing portion (42) , adapted, in use, to be locked in a releasable manner with a grip handle (22) of the ski- pole ( 2 ) ;

said assembly is characterized in that:

• said fixing portion (42) is substantially "U" -shaped comprising two arms or branches (42), whose concave structure is for housing at least one portion of said grip handle (22) ;

• the arms or branches (42')/ in order to lock the ski- pole (2), perform a perpendicular movement with respect to the longitudinal axis (A) of the ski-pole (2) , getting closer to each other thanks to the elastic strength provided by the "U" shape;

• it comprises a pair of opposite protuberances (43, 28), for engaging corresponding opposite recesses (23, 48) and are substantially aligned along an axis (w, w' ) .

2. Assembly according to claim 2, wherein said fixing portion (42) generates an advantageous lever.

3. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein each arm or branch (42') comprises at least one protuberance (43), for engaging at least one corresponding recess (23) comprised is said at least one grip handle (22) .

4. Assembly according to claim 3, wherein said recess (23) comprises at least one hole (24) , for housing said protuberance (43).

5. Assembly according to claim 3, wherein said recess (23) comprises two holes (24) and a guide (25), which connects the two holes (24) for directing said protuberance (43) towards the hole (24) during the locking step aimed at locking the ski-pole (2) .

6. Assembly according to claim 5, wherein the recess (23) is arranged in correspondence to the longitudinal axis (A) .

7. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the grip handle (22) comprises at least two protuberances (28) , each one for engaging at least one corresponding recess (48) , each one being comprised in the respective arm or branch (421 ) .

8. Assembly according to claim 7, wherein said recess (48) comprises at least one hole for housing said protuberance (28) .

9. Assembly according to claim 8, wherein said recess (48) comprises a guide for directing said protuberance (28) towards the hole during the locking step aimed at locking the ski-pole (2) .

10. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein said fitting portion comprises at least two loops (45) , each one for housing at least one phalanx bone of the hand.

11. Assembly according to claim 10, wherein the loops (45) have a closed perimeter, which substantially presents an elliptical shape.

12. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein said hooking means (4) is fitted to the glove (G) by means of holding elements .

13. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein said hooking means (4) comprises a plurality of straps and laces (K) , which form an adjustable structure to be fitted onto the glove (G) for fixing the hooking means (4) to the glove (G) .

14. Assembly according to claim 2, wherein the arms or branches (42'), in order to release the ski-pole (2), perform a perpendicular movement with respect to the longitudinal axis (A) of the ski -pole (2) , being set apart from each other by the opening of the hand performed by the skier .

Description:
TITLE: CONNECTION ASSEMBLY BETWEEN A SKI -POLE AND THE HAND OF THE SKIER.

The present invention is relative to a connection assembly between a ski-pole and the hand of the skier for holding the ski -pole during ski activities.

Ski -poles are know, which comprise straps to be normally wrapped around the wrist of the skier, which are adapted to keep the grip handle of the ski -pole close to the hand of the skier during the use in the different ski activities, as described for example in patent DE94012&7.

Furthermore, ski -poles are known, which comprise quick release systems, so as to allow the skier to keep hold of the ski-pole, as described for example in patent US5549330.

Both solutions mentioned above, though, are not very safe, since they can hardly be adjusted the skiers needs and prevent the skier from actually releasing the ski-pole in case of fall or necessity, even in the event of a reflex movement of the skier.

Said systems, indeed, are adapted to keep the ski-pole close to the skier, thus preventing the skier from loosing the ski-pole in the snow.

In case of a fall, said strap or quick release system keeps the ski-pole close to the skier, even if the skier releases his grip on the grip handle, thus generating a danger due to the fact that the ski-pole itself can cause injuries to skier in the event of a fall.

Indeed, while practicing professional Alpine skiing, the skier can normally straddle a gate with the hand or with the arm; this event becomes more dangerous, if the skier does not manage to release his grip on the ski -pole during the impact. The ski -pole constrained to the hand of the skier during the impact remains trapped in the gate, thus being constrained to a fixed spot. Under this condition, the skier can be subject to dangerous falls that inevitably cause wounds, in some cases very serious ones, to the upper limb involved and to the shoulder joint.

The solutions mentioned above, furthermore, make it more difficult for the skier to correctly move the ski- pole, since they hinder the natural movement of the wrist and this occurs, for example, when the skier has to perform the proper movement of the ski -pole while taking a bend or has to release his hold on the ski -pole due to an immediate need, such as his involvement in an avalanche or in an emergency situation where he needs to catch hold of something with his hands.

Moreover, patent application DE19810187 discloses a pole-glove assembly, adapted to keep the glove to the ski- pole. According to this solution, a portion of the glove and a portion of the ski pole are provided with two complementary layers of Velcro, so as to keep the ski -pole close to the glove and allow it to be released in case of need .

This solution, though, is not very performing, since Velcro loses its adhesive properties with the passing of the time due to the dirt that gathers the two layers.

Furthermore, the release of the ski -pole is not very immediate, since a mere hand opening movement does not always allow the two parts to be completely disconnected from one another or, in other cases, the mere hold relaxing movement can cause an unintentional release of the ski- pole. These phenomena are due to the features and properties of Velcro. The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing a connection assembly between a ski -pole and the hand of the skier, said assembly comprising a hooking means, adapted to be locked in a releasable manner with a grip handle of the ski -pole.

An aspect of the present invention is relative to a connection assembly between a ski -pole and the hand of the skier with the features set forth in appended claim 1.

Further accessory features are set forth in the appended dependent claims.

The additional features and advantages of the assembly according to the present invention will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of different embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which respectively illustrate:

• figure 1 shows the assembly consisting of the grip handle of the ski -pole and of the glove, to which the hooking means is fitted;

• figure 2 shows a first embodiment of the hooking means according to the present invention;

• figure 3 shows an embodiment of the assembly of figure 1 ;

• figure 4 shows a pair of gloves, which are provided with a hooking means according to a second embodiment ;

• figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the assembly according to the present invention.

With reference to the figures mentioned above, the connection assembly between a ski -pole 2 and the hand of the skier comprises at least one hooking means 4 for holding ski pole 2 being used. Said at least one hooking means 4 comprises a fixing portion 42, adapted, in use, to be locked in a releasable manner with a grip handle 22 of ski -pole 2, and a fitting portion, adapted, in use, to be engaged by at least one portion of a ski glove G used during ski activities, so that the hold of ski-pole 2 can be guaranteed.

As shown in figures 2 and 5, said fixing portion 42 is substantially "U" -shaped, it comprises two arms or branches 42', and it presents a concave structure adapted to house at least one portion of said grip handle 22; for the purpose of the present invention, the expression "substantially U-shaped" indicates a structure consisting of two arms or branches 42 ' , which are connected to one another at one of their ends, so as to create a structure with a shape that is similar to that of a "U" .

Said arms or branches 42', in order to lock ski -pole 2, perform a perpendicular movement with respect to longitudinal axis "A" of ski-pole 2, getting closer to each other thanks to the elastic resistance provided by the "U" shape .

Said hooking means 4 comprises a pair of opposite protuberances 43, 28, which are adapted to engage corresponding opposite recesses 23, 48 and which are substantially aligned along an axis (w, w' ) .

In the embodiment of figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, said fixing portion 42 comprises at least one protuberance 43, adapted to engage at least one corresponding recess 23, which is comprised in said grip handle 22.

Preferably, grip handle 22 has an ergonomic shape, as shown in the figures, so as to make it easier for the skier to keep hold of the ski -pole. Said at least one protuberance 43 is preferably shaped as a cone .

Said recess 23 comprises at least one hole 24, adapted to house said protuberance 43. Said hole 24 has a shape that is complementary to said protuberance 43, so as to increase the fixing power with which hooking means 4 is fixed to ski-pole 2.

In particular, each branch 42 ' of the "U" comprises at least one protuberance 43.

The "U" -shape of said fixing portion 42 generates an advantageous lever.

Advantageously, the shape of hooking means 4 causes fixing portion 42 and, in particular, arms 42 ' to be preferably arranged close to the adductor muscles of the thumb and to the dorsal interosseous muscle of the skiers hand.

The concave structure of fixing portion 42 is adapted to house at least one portion of said grip handle 22.

Said at least one portion of grip handle 22 is preferably the portion close to recess 23, where, for example, said grip handle 22 presents a reduction of the outer diameter, so as to make it easier for the skier to keep hold of it.

Each protuberance 43 is substantially perpendicular to arm 42' to which it is associated.

For the purpose of the present invention, the expression "protuberance 43 substantially perpendicular to arm 42 1 " means that longitudinal axis "L" of each protuberance 43 is the perpendicular of the plane defined by the arm or branch 42' itself. The pair of protuberances 43, adapted to engage corresponding recesses 23, are opposite to one another and substantially aligned along an axis "w" .

In detail, each protuberance 43 is arranged on the inner portion of fixing portion 42, so that the two protuberances 43 face each other, for example in a mirrorlike manner.

In the embodiment of figure 2, said fitting portion comprises at least two loops 45, each of which adapted to house at least one phalanx bone of the hand wearing glove G. Loops 45 preferably have a closed perimeter, with a substantially circular or elliptical shape, into which at least one finger of the hand is inserted.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) , said loops 45 are open with a "C" -shape, so as to prevent the finger from coming out of loop 45 itself.

Said loops 45 are fixed to fixing portion 42, preferably on the outer faces of arms or branches 42 ' , for example above axis "L" of protuberances 43, as shown in figure 2.

Preferably, the fitting portion comprises a first loop 45', which is adapted to house the thumb, and a second loop 45 ' ' , which is adapted to house one or more fingers, for example the index finger, the medium finger, the ring finger or the little finger.

In an alternative embodiment, in case the skier, instead of using gloves G, uses mittens, said second loop 45' ' has a size that allows the second loop 45' 1 itself to house all the fingers of the hand.

The assembly according to the present invention substantially assumes two operating configurations: • locking configuration, in which ski -pole 2 is constrained to hooking means 4 ;

• release configuration, in which ski -pole 2 is completely disconnected from hooking means 4 ;

Indeed, arms or branches 42', in order to lock ski- pole 2, perform a perpendicular movement with respect to longitudinal axis "A" of ski-pole 2, getting closer to one another or moving away from one another as a function of the movements of the skiers hand.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the "U" shape of hooking means 4 guarantees an elastic resistance, which is adapted to avoid an unintentional spreading of the arms of branches 42', thus preventing ski-pole 2 from being released in an unintentional manner.

In particular, the arms or branches 42 1 , in order to lock ski -pole 2, perform a perpendicular movement with respect to longitudinal axis "A" of ski-pole 2, getting closer to each other thanks to the elastic resistance provided by "U" shape.

In order to constrain ski-pole 2 to the hooking means, it is necessary for protuberances 43 to engage the corresponding recess 23 comprised in grip handle 22.

Preferably, in order to make it easier for ski -pole 2 to be locked to hooking means 4, recess 23 comprises at least one guide 25, which is adapted to direct said protuberance 43 towards hole 24. In an preferred embodiment, said guide 25 connects the two holes 24.

In use, during the different ski activities, the skier catches hold of ski-pole 2. The position of the fingers around grip handle 22 causes arms 42' of fixing portion 42 to get closer to one another, thus guaranteeing the hold of ski -pole 2, since protuberances 43 are firmly engaged in respective holes 24.

The point in which ski-pole 2 is constrained to hooking means 2 is preferably arranged close to longitudinal axis "A" of ski-pole 2 itself. The position of recess 23 and, in particular, of holes 24 is preferably arranged in correspondence to longitudinal axis "A" . Indeed, said holes 24 are preferably perpendicular to longitudinal axis "A", thus allowing an easy rotation of ski -pole 2 around said point, so as to make it easier for the skier to lift ski-pole 2. The rotation around a point that is perpendicular to axis "A" allows the skier to naturally, correctly and safely move the wrist and the hand associated to the ski -pole both as he takes a bend and during a ski run in general .

Said loops 45 can have an ergonomic shape, similar to that of the loops used in the cutting means, such as scissors, so as to make it easier for the skier to fit into them and allow the compression of said fixing portion 42.

In the release configuration, the skier, by opening his hand, causes arms 42 ' of fixing portion 42 to move away from one another, thus allowing protuberances 43 to disengage holes 24.

This disengagement allows the skier to release ski- pole 2. This configuration can occur either when the skier voluntarily decides to release his hold on ski-pole 2 or in the event of a fall.

Furthermore, ski -pole 2 can be disconnected from the hand of the skier even if the force exerted on ski -pole 2 itself exceeds a predetermined resistance threshold. Said resistance threshold is a function of the rigidity of fixing portion 42, of the size of protuberances 43, of respective holes 24, and of the elastic resistance of hooking means 4 itself.

Said force exerted on ski-pole 2 can derive, for example, from an impact of ski -pole 2 against an obstacle during use .

In some cases, for example when the skier straddles a gate with an upper limb, skip-pole 2 is released from the skiers hand due to a combination of the impact force exerted on ski-pole 2 and of the unintentional reflex of the skier, who, due to the impact, opens the hand.

In an alternative embodiment shown in figure 5, grip handle 22 comprises at least two protuberances 28, each one adapted to engage at least one corresponding recess 48, each one being comprised in respective arm 42' of fixing portion 42. Said recess 48 comprises at least one hole, which is adapted to house said protuberance 28.

Said protuberance 28 is substantially similar to protuberance 43 described in the previous embodiment.

For the purpose of the present invention, the expression "substantially similar" indicates two structures, which differ from one another for negligible size differences but keep the functions and technical features unchanged.

The pair of protuberances 28, which are adapted to engage corresponding recesses 48, are opposite to one another and substantially aligned along an axis "w 1 ".

Preferably, said recess 48 comprises a guide (non shown) , which is adapted to direct said protuberance 28 towards the hole of recess 48 during the locking step aimed at locking ski-pole 2.

Fixing portion 42, which is adapted to house at least one portion of grip handle 22, comprises, in the connection portion between the two arms or branches 42 ' , at least one striker element 47, which is adapted to limit the rotation of ski -pole 2 around axis "L" of protuberances 28, 43, which are preferably arranged in correspondence to axis "A" of the ski-pole.

Said striker element 47, in the embodiment shown in figure 5, is a protuberance, which is adapted to strike against grip handle 22 of the ski -pole, thus limiting the possible rotation angle of ski-pole 2 around the axis of protuberances 28.

In case the rotation speed of ski-pole 2 around the axis of protuberances 28 is higher than a predetermined threshold, ski-pole 2 is released.

The free ends of arms 42', if necessary, are rounded off, thus assuming a roundish profile, so as to avoid hindering the hand closing movement of the skier.

The two embodiments of the presents invention described above are equivalent to one another in terms of functions and technical features.

Said hooking means 4 can be manufactured by means of hot molding process, for example starting from a plastic material .

Said hooking means 4 has predetermined elastic features, which are adapted to allow the elastic movement of arms 42 1 during the hand opening and closing movements of the skier.

In the embodiment of figure 2, said hooking means 4 is a separate means, which the skier fits onto his hand after having worn gloves G or the mittens. Said hooking means, furthermore, can be fixed to glove G by means of holding means, such as loops, straps, buckles or Velcro portions, which are comprised in glove V, for example by means of seams, or it can also be directly be built-in in glove G under the outer membrane .

In an alternative embodiment shown in figure 4, said hooking means 4 comprises a plurality of belts or straps K, which build an adjustable structure to be fitted onto glove G. Said adjustable structure is preferably wound tight around the glove by means of Velcro portions.

A particularly performing version of said fitting portion, which is not shown, comprises a loop 45' ', which is adapted to house both the middle finger and the index finger of the skiers hand. Said loop 45'' is constrained to respective arm 42 ' . This embodiment requires a lower hand opening force in order to obtain the opening of fixing portion 42, thus allowing arms 42' to move away from one another, so as to release ski-pole 2.

The assembly according to the present invention advantageously allows the skier, during a fall or an impact, to easily release his hold on ski-pole 2 by means of the spontaneous opening of the fist or by means of impact forces that exceed a predetermined threshold, thus allowing arms 42' to spread. The assembly according to the present invention allows a reduction of the damages caused to the skier.