FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to a paddle adapted for two-handed paddling of a water craft such as a boat, a canoe, a kayak, a board, etc. Especially, the invention designate a paddle according to the pre-amble of claim 1 . The invention also specify a paddle handle according to the pre-amble of claim 12.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

A paddle usually comprises a shaft having a blade and a handle arranged at a first and second end, respectively, of the shaft. A user holds the paddle with one hand at the shaft and a another hand at the handle to paddle sitting or standing. To be able to paddle in an efficient way using powerful strokes , it is preferred that one paddles having a straight back. The distance between the hands shall preferably be a distance that yields a maximum paddle force. For reasons of safety it is important to have a stable body posture to keep the balance during the paddling. The optimum distance between the hands during the paddling varies with each user. The optimum distance for each person is the same and independent of whether the user paddles in a sitting or standing fashion.

The distance between the hands may be varied by placing a first hand at different positions on the shaft. When the second hand holds the handle there is a limitation in the distance between the hands. Especially when a body posture is changed from sitting to standing, a user can be forced to hold one hand on the h andle and the other directly below the handle to be able to paddle in a manner having a straight back. The paddling will be less efficient when a paddle needs to be held in such a way that the distance between the hands is less than the optimum distance. The distance between the hands may also be varied to change the force of the paddling or to maneuver the boat or board. To be able to grasp the shaft at a low position closer to the blade, the user needs either to bend the back to be able to hold the other hand on the handle or hold the paddle with both hands on the shaft. The disadvantage is that the back can get hurt and that less power can be used to paddle.

In certain situations of paddling a user wants to move down the full gripping geometry (the first and second hand). For example, a user may do this to lower the total center of gravity of the body and total height of the body. Or for the purpose of changing the position of the paddle and the insertion of the paddle in relation to the craft that is paddled.

A "T-grip", or other horizontal surface for the second hand , provides a better power exchange when the hand at certain parts of the paddle stroke sooner pushes the paddle downwards / backwards. This in combination with the grasp of the first hand at the shaft that pulls the paddle backwards .

The handle grip shall also provide opportunity for steering / turning the blade. This is sometimes done at the end of the paddle stroke, and is known as J-stroke or steering stroke, wherein the paddle is angled in the end phase of the paddle stroke wherein the other hand turn the paddle using its grip.

There is a need for a paddle that enables maintaining the optimum distance between the hands independently of whether the paddling is performed in a sitting or standing fashion and independent of whether the user wishes to paddle or maneuver the boat or board.

US 3, 109, 184 describes a one-hand paddle that comprises a paddle blade at one end of a shaft and one handle at the other end of the shaft. The shaft extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a shaft grip having a shaft contact surface for the hand. The handle comprises a frame defining a space in the form of an opening in the frame. The frame is connected to the other end of the shaft. The arm of a user is inserted through the opening in such a way that the hand may hold the shaft.

US 8, 100,733 describes a paddle for two hands that comprises a blade in each end of a shaft. In one of the blades, a handle is arranged as an opening approximately in the middle of the blade. The opening comprises a contact surface for one hand of a user. The contact surface is formed as a grip that extends along a first axis that forms a 90° angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. There is, thus, a need for a paddle that may be held without, or with less, limitations related to the distance between the hands during paddling. There is a need for a paddle that is ergonomical so that the optimum distance between the hands can be maintained independent of whether the paddling is performed while sitting or standing. There is a need for a paddle that can be used in different paddling situations (fast/slow paddling or during maneuvers) and that is adapted for two-handed paddling, especially for stand-up paddling . There is a need for a paddle that can be used without the need for the user to bend his/her back during paddling. There is a need for a paddle that can be used without the user having to paddle in an unstable body posture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aim of the present invention is to remove the problem above and provide a paddle adapted for two-handed paddling.

The aim is achieved by a device defined by the pre-amble of claim 1 , and characterized in that the handle comprises a second grip that extends along a second axis that forms a second angle in relation to the longitudinal axis and comprises a second contact surface for the second hand of the user, wherein the first grip and the second grip are connected by a connecting means that defines a space, and wherein the first grip is arranged at a first distance from the first end and the second grip is arranged at a second distance from the first end and wherein the first distance is smaller than the second distance.

The device according to the present invention enables that the optimum distance between the hands can be maintained independently of whether the paddling is performed sitting or standing. The distance between the hands can also be varied in a flexible way during the paddling. Therefore, the new paddle is more ergonomic and makes it possible to paddle having a straight back and stable body posture independently of whether the user is sitting or standing during the paddling. The new paddle is adapted for two-handed paddling, especially stand-up paddling.

Without a double grip, the grip for the other hand may move on the shaft. The double grip provides enhanced possibilities to spread power and steering using the second hand.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the space is arranged to allow the second hand to be brought through the space while grasping the first grip. The space is also arranged so that at least most fingers of the second hand can be brought through the space while grasping the second grip.

Another advantage of the invention is that the second grip is easy to use and that a user can hold onto the second grip in such a way that a desired paddling force can be used.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the first and second grip has a thickness that allows at least some fingers of the second hand to be brought around the grip. To enable transfer of power from the user to the paddle, the grips need to be shaped so that the hand or a part of the hand, for example the fingers, can be powerfully forced against the paddle. According to an embodiment of the invention, the first angle and the second angle are essentially equal.

According to another embodiment of the invention the first angle and the second angle are 90° or essentially 90°.

According to an embodiment of the invention the first axis, the second axis and the longitudinal axis are situated in one plane.

According to another embodiment of the invention the connecting means comprises at least one rod that connects the first grip and the second grip.

According to an embodiment of the invention the connecting means comprises two rods that connect the first grip and the second grip.

According to another embodiment of the invention the connecting means comprises at least one rod, wherein the rod extends in parallel to the longitudinal axis .

According to an embodiment of the invention the connecting means comprises at least one rod, wherein the rod extends at an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis. According to another embodiment of the invention the handle is centrally arranged at the shaft, so that a length of the first and second grip is equal on each side of the longitudinal axis.

The aim is also achieved by a paddle handle of a paddle adapted for two-handed paddling as defined in the pre-amble of claim 12, characterized in that the handle comprises a second grip that extends along a second axis that forms a second angle in relation to the longitudinal axis and comprises a second contact surface for the second hand of the user, wherein the first grip and the second grip are connected by a connecting means that defines a space, and wherein the first grip is arranged at a first distance from the first end and the second grip is arranged at a second distance from the first end, and wherein the first distance is smaller than the second distance. The advantages of the paddle handle are obvious from the above discussion related to the new paddle.

According to an embodiment of the invention the handle comprises a third grip that extends along a third axis that forms a third angle in relation to the longitudinal axis and comprises a third contact surface for the second hand of the user, wherein the first grip, the second grip and the third grip are connected by a connecting means that defines a space, and wherein the third grip is located at a distance from the first end between the distance for the first grip from the first end and the distance from the first end of the second grip.

The aim is also achieved by a use of a paddle, described above, during stand-up paddling. An embodiment of the invention refer to use of a paddle handle of a paddle, as described above, during stand-up paddling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be described in the following in more detail by means of embodiments, which are described as examples, and with reference to the attached drawings.

Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a paddle . Fig. 2 shows use of the paddle during sit-down and stand- up paddling. Fig. 3 schematically shows different embodiments of the paddle from in front.

Fig. 4 schematically shows different embodiments of the paddle from the side of the paddle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention. A paddle 1 comprises a shaft 2 having a blade 3 and a handle 4. A user paddles by grasping the shaft 2 with a first hand around a shaft grip of the shaft 2. The shaft grip forms a contact surface 5 for the first hand. The second hand holds the handle 4 at a handle grip 6.

As is illustrated in Fig. 1 , the shaft 2 comprises a first end 9 where the blade 3 is arranged and a second end 10 where the handle is arranged. The shaft 2 extends along a longitudinal axis y. The shaft grip extends in parallel or essentially in parallel with the longitudinal axis y.

The handle 4 is connected with the other end 10 of the shaft 2. The handle 4 has a first grip 6 and a second grip 7. The

distance between the first grip 6 and the first end 9 of the shaft is shorter in comparison to the distance between the second grip 7 and the first end 9 of the shaft 2. The first grip h as a first contacting surface 12 and the second grip 7 has a second contacting surface 13. The second hand of the user can hold the handle 4 at the first grip 6 or at the second grip 7 by laying the hand on the

contacting surface 12, 13 where a hand palm and the fingers of one hand can be placed at the contacting surface 12, 13 of the grip 6, 7. During paddling, the user may change grasp on the handle 4 from the first grip 6 to the second grip 7 and vice versa. The first grip 6 can be connected to, or form a part of the second end 10 of the shaft 2. The first grip 6 can be formed as a first cylindrical rod that extends along a first axis x1 that forms a first angle a in relation to the longitudinal axis y, as shown in Fig. 3b. This first angle a may be between 45° and 135°, or between 80° and 100°, or between 85° and 95°. Usually the first angle a is essentially 90°. The second grip 7 can be formed as a second cylindrical rod that extends along a second axis x2 that forms a second angle β in relation to the longitudinal axis y, as shown in Fig. 3b. This second angle β can also be between 45° and 135°, or between 80° and 100°, or between 85° and 95°. Usually the second angle β is essentially 90°.

The size of the first angle a and the second angle β can be dependent on the ergonomic shape of the paddle 1 . The size of the first angle a and the second angle β may also depend on an angle ε that the blade 3 forms in relation to the longitudinal axis y, see Fig 4c.

The first angle a and the second angle β can be equal in size, or essentially equal in size. Usually both angles α, β are 90°, or essentially 90°.

The longitudinal axis y and the first axis x1 and the second axis x2 may be situated in different planes or in the same plane. Fig. 4a, 4b shows a handle 4 where the first axis x1 and the second axis x2 lie in the same plane as the longitudinal axis y.

The grip 6, 7 may have a circular or oval cross-section. The handle 4 is preferably comfortable for users to hold and use during paddling. The grip 6, 7 may have inward grooves where the fingers can be positioned at the grip 6, 7. The thickness of the grip 6, 7 can also vary. Preferably, at least the second grip 7 has a thickness that allows a number of fingers or all fingers to be brought around the grip 7.

The distance between the first grip 6 and the second grip 7 can vary. The distance can, for example, be dependent on the total length of the paddle 1 . A paddle 1 that is used on a boat is in most cases shorter than a paddle 1 that is used for stand-up paddling on a board. The distance between the grips 6, 7 of a shorter paddle can be shorter. The distance can be between 10 to 40 cm, preferably between 15 and 40 cm, or 15 to 30 cm, or 20 to 40 cm.

The handle 4 can be centrally arranged on the shaft 2, so that a length of the second grip 6 and the second grip 7 are equal on both sides of the longitudinal axis y. Alternatively, the handle 4 can be arranged so that the length of the first grip 6 and/or the second grip 7 is un-equal on each side of the longitudinal axis y The handle 4 can be arranged so that the shaft 2 is connected to an end of the first grip 6 (Fig. 3a).

The handle 4 comprises a connecting means 1 1 that connects the first grip 6 to the second grip 7. The connecting means 1 1 can be a rod or two rods or more rods that connect(s) the first grip 6 and the second grip 7. The connecting means can extend in parallel in relation to the longitudinal axis y (Fig. 3a). The connecting means 1 1 can also form an angle γ in relation to the longitudinal axis y (Fig. 3c). Two or more rods can form different angles γ1 , γ2 in relation to the longitudinal axis y (Fig. 3a).

Fig 3a-j show different embodiments of the paddle 1 , where the handle 4 is arranged on the shaft 2 i n different ways. Different embodiments of the connecting means 1 1 having one or more rods are also shown. Fig. 3a, 3c show that the connecting means 1 1 also can be arranged between the shaft 2 and the handle 4. A space U of the handle 4 can be an opening or a notch defined by the first grip 6 and the second grip 7 and the at least one rod. The space U can be two or more openings depending on how the rod or rods between the grips 6, 7 is/are arranged. Different examples of the handle 4 having one or more openings are shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3c shows a handle 4 having a rod that forms an angle γ in relation to the longitudinal axis y. The handle 4 has a space U having a first opening at the first grip 6 and a second opening at the second grip 7.

Preferably, the space U is arranged to allow most or all fingers of the second hand to be brought through the space U when grasping the first grip 6 or the second grip 7. In one

embodiment, the space U is arranged to allow all fingers of both hands to be brought through the space U when grasping the grip 6, 7 (Fig. 3a, 3c).

Fig. 3g shows that the handle 4 can comprise a third grip 14 that extends along a third axis x4 that forms a third angle τ in relation to the longitudinal axis y and comprises a third contact surface 15 for the second hand of the user, wherein the first grip 6, the second grip 7 and the third grip 14 are connected by means of a connecting means 1 1 that defines a space U. The third grip 14 is positioned at a distance from the first end 9 that lie between the distance from the first end of the shaft 9 of the first grip and the distance from the first end 9 of the second grip.

At the first end 9 of the shaft, the blade 3 has a width B and a length L that extends along a third axis x3, as shown in Fig 1 . The blade 3 can be centrally arranged viewed in the lateral direction B of the blade, or non-centrally arranged. The blade 3 may be shaped in different ways, such as rectangular, round, oval, etc. The blade 3 can be arranged along the longitudinal axis y. The blade 3 can be arranged in the same plane as the shaft 2. The third axis x4 of the blade can also form an angle ω in relation to the longitudinal axis y (Fig . 4c). The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown above, but can be varied and modified with in the scope of the following claims.