The clip of the invention is of particular interest in the field of sports equipment for example for support poles. However the clip of the invention may also be employed for other uses such as for holding cables, pipes, tubing, handles etc. as is discussed below.

Background to the Invention The present invention will be discussed in terms of poles, and in particular the types of poles that are employed in sport. While this is a primary use of the clip of the invention there are other end use applications. In particular the clip of the present invention can be used for holding cables, pipes, tubing, handles, etc.. In general the clip of the invention may be employed where there are at least two elongate members which are to be attached to each other.

Elongate members such as poles are used in a variety of sports and activities for support, while cables, pipes, tubing, handles etc. are also employed for many end uses.

Such poles are typically provided in pairs, each pole of the pair being dimensioned to be accommodated easily in a user's hand. The poles are typically used to provide support to the user. Typical examples of such use are in bill walking and skiing. It will be appreciated that the requirement for the pole during the entire activity is not always present and there is therefore often a need for a pair of poles to be temporarily held together. For other elongate members such as cables, pipes, tubing etc. there may also be a desire to hold two of said items together in a releasable fashion. One example is where the poles are used in skiing, in that they are required for the downhill portion of the ski run, but are not required to be subsequently held individually.

Using the example of ski-poles, it will be understood that when not in use, there is a requirement for a pair of ski poles to be fastened together for carrying or for storage during the activity. It is also advantageous for the skier to be able to temporarily connect his/her ski poles together during a ride in a ski lift. It is preferable, especially during a ride in a ski lift, for the poles to be comfortably held together in one hand. As the hands of the skier are often gloved, it is also advantageous to be able to simply and quickly separate the connected ski poles without need for the skier to remove his/her gloves.

In skiing and for other activities, the desirability for poles to be connectable is not limited to connecting poles for transport or storage, as there is always the possibility that one pole will become separated from the other and therefore lost, which is not desirable. Indeed outside the field of sports, such as for cables, pipes, tubing etc. , it is often desirable to connect two or more members together-often in relatively close proximity, but usually in any case in a substantially parallel arrangement.

Sports poles, such as ski poles, are typically substantially cylindrical and are usually provided with a hand loop, constructed from a loop of fabric. The loop is attached to the pole in the region of a hand grip provided at one end of the pole, remote from the end of the pole which will be placed into the ground to support the user. The loop may be passed over the user's wrist to secure the pole to the user in the event that the user loses hold of the hand grip. In skiing, these loops are commonly also used to temporarily connect the ski poles together when not in use. Two poles are hung from one or other of the skis during transportation or storage by means of placing the hand loops over an upper region of the connected skis. The problem with this method of connecting the poles is that the poles are. only loosely connected and are still able to move independently of each other and relative to the skis. This may be somewhat ameliorated by having the poles, and in particular the snow rings thereof interengageable.

When not being used for connecting related poles to one another, any arrangement for holding sports poles together must preferably not obstruct or interfere with normal use of the pole. Swiss Patent No. CH676793 describes an arrangement for

holding ski poles together, comprising a detachable clip which is completely detached from the ski poles and stored elsewhere when not required. A problem then is that the clip is not always to hand when required. Furthermore there is a requirement to secure the clip to both poles each time that the clip is required, and remove it from both poles when it is not required. This it will be appreciated is an unsatisfactory arrangement.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved device for interconnecting poles, and for particular end use purposes when not in use.

Summary of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention provides a clip for interconnecting a pair of elongate members such as poles, comprising a first engagement member for attachment to a first elongate member (pole) and a second engagement member for attachment to a second elongate member (pole), the first and second engagement members being linked together. The second engagement member is simultaneously engageable with the same elongate member (pole) as the first engagement member in a non-elongate member (pole)-interconnecting disposition of the clip. The term"pole"as used herein in relation to the present invention includes other elongate members such as cables, pipes, tubing, handles, walking sticks, crutches, etc.

Preferably, the first and second engagement members are joined by a central portion comprising a flexible hinge which allows each engagement member to be movable relative to the central portion. This enables relative movement of the engagement members.

In one embodiment of the invention, which holds the pair of poles particularly well in a fixed position relative to each other, the clip further comprises a third engagement member. Preferably, the third of engagement member is engageable with either pole in a pole interconnecting disposition of the clip.

In a non-pole-interconnecting disposition of the clip, all three engagement members are preferably simultaneously engageable with a first pole. In a pole- interconnecting disposition of the clip at least one engagement member is suitably attachable to a second pole. In such an arrangement, at least one engagement member remains on the first pole.

Desirably, the three engagement members are linked end to end in a row, the row having a central engagement member. In one arrangement, the central engagement member remains on said first pole in a pole-interconnecting disposition of the clip, and at least one of the other two engagement members engages with the second pole.

Preferably, the third engagement member is joined to the first or the second engagement member by a second central portion comprising a second flexible hinge, each engagement member being moveable relative to the second central portion thereby enabling relative movement of the engagement members.

Desirably, in any embodiment of the invention, each engagement member comprises a pair of opposing jaw grips. Desirably, the jaw grips are resiliently deformable and moveable relative to one another. An opening of the jaws away from each other enables an insertion of a pole through an opening formed between the jaws and into the engagement member, which once inserted is retained therein by a movement of the jaws back towards one another. The engagement members may thus snap-fit onto the pole.

In one arrangement, at least one of the engagement members may further comprise a raised lip adjacent the opening to ease attachment and removal of the engagement member to and from a pole.

Desirably, each jaw comprises a leading edge, two side edges, and two corners where said leading edge meets said side edges. At least one of said corners may be chamfered.

Desirably, the engagement members are substantially tubular. In one arrangement, the engagement members may be of different axial lengths.

The clip is preferably integrally formed from a resiliently deformable material.

Desirably the clip is made of rubber or flexible plastics material. In one arrangement, the clip may be formed using a moulding process.

Additionally, the clip may be adapted to display one or more images. Suitably, the clip may be adapted so as to enable interchangeable replacement of the one or more images. Alternatively, the images may be integrally formed on the clip during the moulding process.

Additionally, the clip may further comprise a thermometer. The thermometer may suitably be a flat strip thermometer, and is desirably attached to an outer surface of the clip, for example by an adhesive. A thermometer is particularly desirable on a clip for connecting ski poles as it enables a skier to maintain a check of the ambient temperature, and warn for example of very low temperatures.

The clip may also be used as a mounting arrangement. In one such arrangement, the clip may further comprise means for attaching or mounting the clip to a support, such as for example a wall. A hole may be defined in the clip through which a mounting device such as a screw on nail may pass. In an alternative arrangement, the clip may comprise a tab portion in which a hole is defined. Such means for attachment enables a pair of poles, connected by the clip, to be subsequently secured to a wall or similar support during storage of the poles.

The invention is directed to arrangements for securing two poles together, however it will be apparent that the arrangement may further be used to hold together any two elongate members and in particular members which are substantially cylindrical in cross-section. Such objects may include walking sticks, crutches, pipes, cables or similar.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising two poles connected by a clip as defined herein.

These and other features of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of a pole clip according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the clip of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the pole clip of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an end view of the pole clip of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a length of tube from which the clip of Figure 1 may be manufactured.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a pole clip according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 is an end view of the shorter engagement member of the pole clip of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is side view of a standard ski pole.

Figure 9 is a side view of a pair of ski poles with the pole clip of Figure 1 attached to one of the ski poles.

Figure 10 is a side view of a pair of ski poles connected together by the pole clip of Figure 1.

Figure 11 is a side view of the pair of ski poles of Figure 10 after having been pulled apart, with the pole clip remaining attached one of the poles.

Figure 12 is a plan view of a pole clip according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 13 is a side view of the pole clip of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a side view of a pair of ski poles connected together by the pole clip of Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a plan view of a pole clip according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described in relation to one end use application of interest, namely connecting ski-poles. As above it will be appreciated that there are other end-use applications. Referring to Figures 1-10, a pole clip 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The clip 1 comprises two pole engaging members 2a, 2b, joined by a flexible central portion, 4, which in the embodiment also acts as a flexible hinge. In the context of the present invention, the phrase'central portion'is used to identify that the central portion is disposed between the two pole engaging members, rather than centrally on the clip. Each engaging member 2a, 2b is adapted to co-operatively engage with one of the two poles making up the pair. The engagement of each engagement member 2a, 2b with a respective pole thereby secures the two poles making up the pair together. Typically, the engagement members 2a, 2b engage with their respective poles in a snap-fit action, similar to the manner of a spring clip. In use, one engagement member 2a is clipped onto a first pole, typically being a substantially cylindrical pole, while the other engagement member 2b is clipped onto a second pole positioned parallel to the first pole. In this pole-interconnecting disposition configuration, the central portion 4 bridges the two connected poles, thereby securing the two poles together, as shown in Figure 10.

The inner dimensions of each engagement member 2a, 2b is desirably adapted to co-operate with the outer dimensions of the pole with which it is to be used (so as to accommodate the pole therein). In the example of a cylindrical pole (it will appreciate that the clip of the invention could be shaped to complement other shapes such as rectangular (square tubular), as best seen in Figure 3, each engagement member 2a, 2b comprises an elongate tubular wall 6 having a substantially cylindrical interior surface 8 defining a substantially cylindrical bore 10. The wall 6 defines a pair of opposing jaw grips 14, each jaw having a leading edge 22. Between the leading edges 22 of the opposing jaws is a radially expandable pole-receiving slit or opening 12. An opening of the jaws effects a radial expansion of the slit 12 to permit snap-fitted radial engagement of the engagement member 2a, 2b around the cylindrical outer surface of a pole.

As detailed above, and shown clearly in Figures 1 to 3, each engagement member 2a, 2b comprises a pair of opposing jaws 14 forming a cylindrical bore 10. The jaws are spaced apart to define an elongate slit 12 longitudinally along their respective engagement members. Each opposing jaw has a leading edge 22 and side edges 18.

Each pair of opposing jaws 14 are linked by a spine portion 16, defined by a dotted line in Figure 2. Figure 2 shows a rear view of the clip 1 of Figure 1. The spine portion 16 runs from a first engagement member 2a through the central portion 4 to the second engagement member 2b. The opposing jaws 14 of each engagement member are resiliently deformable. The size of the slit 12 between the opposing jaws of each engagement member is increased by forcing the opposing jaws 14 apart. It is then possible to insert a cylindrical object (the pole), having a diameter approximately equal to that of the internal bore 10, between the leading edges 22 of the opposing jaws 14.

The resilient nature of the jaws 14 ensures that once a cylindrical object, such as a pole, is received within the internal bore 10, the opposing jaws 14 return to their normal position thereby holding the poles securely within their respective engagement members 2a, 2b.

As detailed above, and as shown in Figure 1, each engagement member 2a, 2b is linked by a central portion 4 which in the present embodiment is a central region of the spine portion 16 of each engagement member 2a, 2b. Preferably, the central portion 4 is formed so as to be flexible only about its transverse axis X-X, and substantially inflexible about its longitudinal axis Y-Y.

The length of each engagement member 2a, 2b may be equal or different. In one embodiment of the invention and as shown in the embodiments of both Figure 1 and Figure 6, one engagement member 2a is longer in length than the second engagement member 2b. The use of two engagement members of unequal length allows for the longer engagement member 2a to act as an anchor remaining attached to its pole when two connected poles are pulled apart. Pulling apart the two connected poles is the easiest way in which to separate the connected poles, as the shorter engagement member 2b preferably detaches from the pole to which it is attached prior to detachment of the longer engagement member 2a from the pole to which it is attached. The detachment

force required for the shorter engagement member 2b is less than that of the longer engagement member 2a.

As best seen from Figure 5, a clip 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is a unitary or integral structure formed from a single length of tube 28, and is preferably formed in a moulding process in which a portion 30 of the tubular wall 6 at a position along the length, and between the two engagement members 2a, 2b, of the tube 1 is omitted, forming a substantially planar central portion 4.

The clip 1 is desirably formed from a resilient yet flexible or pliable material.

The material may be rubber, flexible plastics material or the like. In a rest position, as shown in Figures 1 or 2, the clip 1 maintains an elongated shape with the spine portion 16 extending in a planar fashion. The material from which the clip 1 is constructed must be flexible enough to allow the central portion 4 to be bent or flexed through 90-180 degrees about the axis X-X. Movement about the axis Y-Y is restricted. The material must also be resilient enough to ensure that the jaws 14 of each engagement member remain biased towards one another when a pole is held between them.

Figure 6 shows a clip according to a second embodiment of the invention. The clip is similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 5, the principle difference being the form of the engagement members 2a, 2b. In use, the first engagement member 2a ideally remains on the first pole, while the second engagement member 2b can be moved from a stored position on the first pole to an in-use position on a second pole wherein the two poles are connected by the clip. On the first engagement member 2a, the corners 20, formed where the leading edge 22 of each opposing jaw meets the jaw's side edge 18, are rounded or chamfered. The degree of curvature is small. This maximises the available surface area of the jaws to improve the retention of the first engagement member on the first pole. The corners 24 of the second engagement member 2b are also chamfered, but the degree of curvature is larger than that of corners 20. The larger degree of curvature enables easier removal of the second engagement member 2b from the first pole and likewise, easier connection to the second pole. The configuration further avoids any sharp corners.

Figure 7 shows an end view of the shorter engagement member 2b of one embodiment of clip according to the invention. Each jaw 14 of the engagement member 2b is provided with a raised lip 26 along its leading or longitudinal edge 22 adjacent to the gap/slot/slit/elongate opening 12. The raised lip 26 aids removal of engagement member 2b from a pole by aiding manual widening of the gap 12 against the inherent closing bias.

Figure 8 illustrates a standard ski pole 30 with which the clip according to any embodiment of the invention may be used. As detailed previously, the ski pole of Figure 8 is substantially cylindrical and is provided with a hand loop 32, constructed from a loop of fabric. The loop 32 is attached to the pole 30 in the region of a hand grip 34 provided at one end of the pole 30, remote from the end of the pole 30 which will be placed into the ground to support the user. The loop 32 may be passed over the user's wrist to secure the pole 30 to the user in the event that the user loses hold of the pole 30.

At the end of the pole remote to the hand grip 34, there may be provided a snow ring 36 in the form of a circular disc mounted about the pole 30, a short distance from the end of the pole 30 which will be placed on the ground. The snow ring 36 may be adapted to connect the poles together for example by having a slot or aperture in one snow ring to accommodate the other.

Figures 9 to 11 describe the use of a clip 1 in connecting a pair of poles 30 and 40. A pair of ski poles similar to the ski pole in Figure 8 is used in these drawings.

Figure 9 shows two ski poles 30,40 to be connected together. A clip 1 is clipped onto a first pole 30 at a position along its length. Both engagement members 2a and 2b of the clip 1 are clipped or snap-fitted onto the first pole 30 in a non-pole-interconnecting disposition of the clip.

This is the intended position of the clip 1 on a pole when the poles are in use.

When the clip 1 is used in conjunction with a pair of poles, such as the ski poles shown in Figures 8 to 11, the clip 1 is readily available to the user for use when required. A major advantage of being able to secure both engagement members 2a, 2b to just one

pole 30 when the clip 1 is not in use, is that the clip 1 is streamlined in relation to the pole 30. Both engagement members 2a, 2b remain attached to the pole 30 until forcibly removed. This reduces the chance of the clip 1 becoming accidentally detached from the pole 30 and lost. The clip 1 can be positioned at any position along the length of the pole 30 although it is preferred that it is positioned towards the hand-held end of the pole 30 for ease of accessibility to the user. In this position, any obstruction or interference with the normal use of the pole 30 is minimised.

To secure a second pole 40 to the first pole 30, one engagement member of the clip 1, preferably the shorter engagement member 2b is manually unclipped from the first pole 30. The raised lips 26 on the shorter engagement member, as shown in Figure 7, may be used for this purpose. When the shorter engagement member is unclipped from the pole 30, the longer engagement member 2a remains attached to the first pole 30.

Referring now to Figure 10, the central portion 4 of the clip 1 is then bent through approximately 180 degrees about the axis X-X as the shorter engagement member 2b is folded back along the length of the first pole 30 toward the longer engagement member 2a with the longitudinal gap 12 facing away from the first pole 30.

The shorter engagement member 2b may then be clipped or snap-fitted onto a second pole 40, positioned substantially parallel to the first pole 30, to secure the second pole 40 to the first pole 30, as shown in Figure 10. The poles 30, 40 are then aligned parallel to one another and spaced a small distance, d, apart. The length of the central portion 4 is chosen to ensure that the distance, d, between the two poles 30,40 is large enough to allow the pole handles 34 and other features of the pole, such as snow rings on ski poles, to sit comfortably together. This is the common way in which poles are positioned relative to one another when not in use, in particular for storage.

Quick removal of the second pole 40 from the clip 1 is achieved by pulling the two poles 30,40 apart, as shown in Figure 11. Alternatively, the shorter engagement member 2b may be unclipped from the second pole 40 by hand using the bevelled

surface provided on each jaw 14. The shorter engagement member 2b can then be repositioned back on the first pole 30 as in Figure 9 until the clip 1 is required again.

Figures 12 to 14 show a pole clip according to a third embodiment of the invention. As shown in Figure 12, the clip differs from the embodiment described above in that it further comprises a third engagement member 102c linked to the first engagement member 102a via a second flexible central portion or flexible hinge 104b.

As previously mentioned, the phrase"central portion"is used to identify the hinge's central disposition between the two pole engaging members rather than implying that it is central on the clip. The clip as shown in Figures 12 to 14 has a first central portion 104a linking the first 102a and second 102b engagement members and a second central portion 104b linking the first 102a and third 102c engagement members.

In a non-pole-interconnecting disposition of the clip, all three engagement members 102a, 102b, 102c of the clip are clipped or snap-fitted onto a first pole. This is the intended position of the clip on the first pole when the poles are in use. All three engagement members 102a, 102b, 102c remain attached to the pole until forcibly removed, In order to secure a second pole to the first pole, the second 102b and third 102c engagement members are manually unclipped from the first pole. The first engagement member 102a remains attached to the first pole. Figure 14 shows the clip of Figures 12 and 13 in a pole interconnecting disposition of the clip, wherein it is used to connect a pair of ski poles. The second 102b and third 102c engagement members are clipped or snap-fitted onto the second pole to hold the two poles parallel to one another.

It will be appreciated that this is not the only method of connecting the two poles using the clip as shown in Figures 12 to 14. In order to secure a second pole to the first pole, any one of the three engagement members may remain attached to the first pole. For example, the second engagement member 102b and the first engagement members may be manually unclipped from the first pole and clipped onto the second pole, while the third engagement member 102c remains attached to the first pole. It will further be appreciated that only one engagement member may be manually unclipped

from the first pole and transferred to the second pole, leaving the two remaining engagement members attached to the first pole.

It will also be appreciated that a clip of the present invention may also be used as a mounting arrangement. In one such arrangement, the clip may further comprise means for attaching the clip to a support, such as for example a wall. Thus a pair of poles connected by the clip may be subsequently secured to a wall. This would be particularly useful for storage of the poles. Other end-uses which are of interest include utilising the clip to fix cables, pipes, tubing etc. to a support such as a wall.

Figure 15 shows one such embodiment of a clip of the invention. A tab 250 is provided on the clip's central portion or hinge 204. The tab has an aperture, 251, through which a fastener, such as a screw or a nail extending from a wall, may be received. In an alternative embodiment, the clip may be securable to a wall in a manner such that a first engagement member remains fixed to a wall while the second engagement member is movable relative to the first engagement member. In this embodiment, as the first engagement member is used as a fixture for the wall, it will be appreciated that only the second engagement member is free to move. The first engagement member can hold a pole in close proximity to the wall and the second engagement member can hold a further pole. It will be appreciated that both engagement members could also be arranged to fix one pole to the support (by engaging both members on a single pole).

In a further embodiment, the clip may be adapted to display images or information. In one embodiment of the invention, markings, logos or images may be formed on the external surface of the clip during the moulding process. In an alternative embodiment, an image receiving portion (not shown) may be formed during the formation process for the clip so as to enable an introduction or removal of advertising material from the clip at a later juncture. This may be in the form of a window portion provided on the external surface of the clip, behind which one or more image may be inserted. The images may be replaceable and/or exchangeable. In either embodiment,

the information or images may be specific to the user such as identification details or may be purely to distinguish one clip from another.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, the clip may incorporate a thermometer, for example, a flat strip thermometer.

Although the present invention has been described exclusively with regard to use in retaining two substantially cylindrical poles together, it will be appreciated that the clip of the present invention can be adapted for use with any configuration of a pole or similar elongate object such as a pipe, cable, tube or handle. If a non-cylindrical elongate object is used, the clip may be provided in a shape that is suitable for retaining that elongate object within a respective engagement member. Such insertion into the engagement member will still be provided by the utilisation of opposing jaws for each engagement member. The insertion is achieved by expanding the jaws away from one another, thereby increasing the distance between the two jaws enabling insertion of the elongate object. Once received, the jaws revert to the normal position, which serves to retain the elongate object within the engagement member.

It will be appreciated that the poles of interest in the present invention are those elongate members may be accommodated in a hand. This includes portable poles such as ski poles or hiking poles. Typically, such poles have a width (diameter) of about 7 cm or less, more typically of about 5cm or less and often of about 3 cm or less 3cm.

The words"comprises/comprising"and the words"having/including"when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.