U.S. patent application number 11/942836 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-29 for self-orienting adjustable length fitness pole.
Invention is credited to Jeff Lunde, William Stephens.
Application Number | 20080121260 11/942836 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39462414 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080121260 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stephens; William ; et
al. |
May 29, 2008 |
SELF-ORIENTING ADJUSTABLE LENGTH FITNESS POLE
Abstract
Provided is an adjustable length fitness pole that includes an
upper tubular section having an upper handgrip portion and a lower
joint portion. The fitness pole also includes a lower tubular
section having a lower foot mounting portion and an upper joint
portion. The joint portions of the upper and lower tubular sections
are sized and configured for slideable, registered engagement with
each other thereby to prevent relative misalignment between the
foot mounting portion and the handgrip portion.
Inventors: |
Stephens; William; (Boulder,
CO) ; Lunde; Jeff; (Denver, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael R. Henson & Associates, LLC
5613 DTC Parkway, Suite 240
Greenwood Village
CO
80111
US
|
Family ID: |
39462414 |
Appl. No.: |
11/942836 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60859980 |
Nov 20, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
135/75 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 2009/007 20130101;
A45B 9/00 20130101; A45B 2009/002 20130101; A45B 2009/025 20130101;
A45B 9/04 20130101; A45B 9/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/75 |
International
Class: |
A45B 9/00 20060101
A45B009/00 |
Claims
1. An adjustable length fitness pole comprising: an upper tubular
section having an upper handgrip portion and a lower joint portion,
a lower tubular section having a lower foot mounting portion and an
upper joint portion, said joint portions of the upper and lower
tubular sections being sized and configured for slideable,
registered engagement with each other thereby to prevent relative
misalignment between said foot mounting portion and said handgrip
portion.
2. An adjustable length fitness pole according to claim 1 wherein
said upper tubular section includes a key and said lower tubular
section includes a keyway that is geometrically congruent to said
key.
3. An adjustable length fitness pole according to claim 2 including
a foot attachment releasably secured and rotationally registered to
said foot mounting portion.
4. An adjustable length fitness pole according to claim 3 including
a handgrip secured to said upper handgrip portion, said handgrip
including a releasable hand strap.
5. An adjustable length fitness pole according to claim 1 wherein
said upper and lower joint portions have non-circular
cross-sections.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The exemplary embodiment of the present invention broadly
concerns fitness and sporting goods. More particularly, however,
the exemplary embodiment of the present invention concerns
adjustable-length poles used in activities such as Nordic walking
as well as running, hiking, rollerblading, roller skating and other
activities for which poles may be used to enhance the experience
and performance of the activity. The embodiment is specifically
directed to adjustable-length poles for which there is a correct
and incorrect orientation to the poles for proper use.
BACKGROUND
[0002] There are many activities where the use of a pole is
beneficial. For example, downhill skiers use poles to stabilize
themselves as they traverse the mountain. In addition, where the
skier plants the pole helps define a pivot point about which the
skier turns. Snowshoeing in deep snow is an example of a sport
where an adjustable pole is useful. Deep soft snow can be somewhat
unstable to walk in without poles. An adjustable pole is
particularly useful in snowshoeing because one can adjust for
varying depths of snow. Cross-country skiing also uses adjustable
poles not only for stability, but for propulsion as well. An
adjustable pole is particularly helpful because proper height
adjustment can prevent stress on the skier's back and provide for
the most efficient propulsion.
[0003] Another popular sport, of particular interest here, which
also employs the use of adjustable poles, is fitness walking or
Nordic walking. Nordic walking simulates, to some extent,
cross-country skiing and turns a regular walk into a full body
workout. Nordic walking poles engage the upper body during fitness
walking. Nordic walking involves applying force to the poles with
each stride. It is estimated that a person can burn up to 40% more
calories using walking poles over just regular walking. Correctly
adjusted poles encourage the walker to use their arms and act to
take stress off of the back and leg joints. According to some
sources the correct height for Nordic walking poles is
approximately 68% of the height of the user.
[0004] Nordic walking poles typically have both durable metal tips
in conjunction with a basket for use on snow, ice, and trails.
Nordic walking poles also usually have removable rubber tips for
use on pavement and other hard surfaces. The rubber traction tip or
foot may have directional tread and is usually contoured for use in
a particular orientation.
[0005] The telescopic sections of existing adjustable-length Nordic
walking poles can rotate freely during length adjustment. This
requires the user to re-align the traction foot with the handgrip.
This is inconvenient, time-consuming, and can be difficult for
elderly users or others having poor manual dexterity. Also,
removing and re-attaching the foot increases the possibility that
the foot will be improperly installed or aligned, and can result in
unnecessary wear over time. Adjusting the length of the poles
happens frequently, especially in situations where the user is
traveling. The poles are adjusted for different conditions,
terrain, and activities. Also the poles require adjustment based on
the anatomical geometry of different persons using the poles.
[0006] Accordingly there is a need for an adjustable-length pole
that ensures that the traction foot and hand grip are always
properly aligned, eliminating the need for the user to re-align the
foot after each length adjustment or installation and removal of
the foot.
SUMMARY
[0007] To ensure proper relative alignment of the removable
traction foot and the handgrip, the tubular telescopic pole
sections are registered angularly relative to each other, while
still allowing for longitudinal adjustment. Additionally, the
removable traction foot is registered to the lower tubular section
which prevents it from being installed with an incorrect
orientation.
[0008] The foot mounting portion includes a snap ring which engages
a mating groove formed in the traction foot. The snap ring and
mating groove are an improvement over the typical press-fit
retention method because it reduces the force needed to install and
remove the rubber traction foot, and provides the user tactile
feedback when the foot is properly seated.
[0009] The handgrip includes an easily-operable latch and release
mechanism, which securely captures and releases a catch element
installed on the hand strap. This provides added convenience by
enabling the user to easily free up the hands as needed for actions
such as zipping up a jacket, tying shoe laces, drinking from a
water bottle, talking on a cellular phone, etc. without completely
extricating the hand from the strap.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of
the self-orienting adjustable length fitness pole;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the self-orienting adjustable
length fitness pole shown in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the self-orienting
adjustable length fitness pole;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the self-orienting
adjustable length fitness pole as viewed about line 4-4 in FIG.
2;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the
fitness pole's upper tubular section;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the upper tubular
section as viewed about line 6-6 in FIG. 2;
[0016] FIG. 7 is an exploded and enlarged partial perspective view
of the fitness pole's lower tubular section;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the pole's lower tubular
section as viewed about line 8-8 in FIG. 2;
[0018] FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the
self-orienting adjustable length fitness pole showing in more
detail the clamp mechanism securing the upper and lower tubular
sections;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the clamp mechanism of FIG.
9;
[0020] FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of the hand grip with the
catch mechanism engaged as viewed about line 6-6 in FIG. 2; and
[0021] FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the hand grip with the
catch mechanism released as viewed about line 6-6 in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Provided herein is a self-orienting adjustable length
fitness pole that includes features for angularly aligning the
adjustable tubes and removable foot, to ensure proper registration
between the handgrip and foot after length adjustment or foot
re-installation.
[0023] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the exemplary embodiment of the self
orienting adjustable length fitness pole 1 which includes upper
tubular section 2 and lower tubular section 4. Upper tubular
section 2 includes handgrip 6 and lower joint portion 20. Disposed
about lower joint portion 20 is clamp 50, in the form of a clamping
collar, the structure and operation of which is described more
fully below. Lower joint portion 20 is configured to receive upper
joint portion 24 of lower tubular section 4. Lower tubular section
4 also includes lower foot end 26. Mounted to foot mounting portion
26 are basket 28 and ground engaging foot 30. An optional slide
bushing 40 may be installed between the upper tubular section 2 and
the lower tubular section 4.
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 the self orienting feature
of the fitness pole is described. Upper tubular section 2 includes
a dimple 42 formed in its lower portion, which registers in keyway
44, which is formed in the upper joint portion 24 of the lower
tubular section 4. Keyway 44 is trough-shaped so that it is
contoured to accommodate dimple 42. This arrangement allows the
lower tubular section 4 to slide longitudinally within the upper
tubular section 2 while maintaining registered alignment between
grip 6 and traction foot 30. In this context, registered alignment
refers to the proper orientation of the handgrip and foot during
intended use of the fitness pole. Once the upper and lower tubular
sections 2, 4 are longitudinally adjusted to the desired height,
clamp 50 is engaged to retain them at this height. It should be
understood that registration can be accomplished not only by the
dimple and keyway arrangement as described above but by other
suitable means as well, such as using tubes having a
non-cylindrical cross-section, such as an elliptical or D-shaped
cross-section. It should also be understood that more than two
tubular sections could be employed using the same registration
concept. Moreover, telescoping could be reversed, they could be
bungied, or slideably mated, all without departing from the
inventive concepts herein.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, which show hand strap 8
disengaged from grip 6, it can be seen that hand strap 8 is
connected to grip 6 with a tether 10. Tether 10 includes strap
catch 12 which releasably engages grip 6. Strap catch 12 includes a
toothed profile 16 which is adapted to mate with a corresponding
toothed profile 15 formed on release mechanism 14. Strap catch 12
engages toothed profile 15 when the strap catch is inserted into
opening 19 formed in handgrip 6. Depressing the release mechanism's
button 13 disengages the mating toothed profile 15 from toothed
profile 16 thereby allowing the strap catch 12 to be removed from
grip 6. Depressing the release mechanism's button 13 causes a
deflection in the tooth profile 15, which disengages the two
profiles from each other. Release button 14 is inserted into
handgrip 6 and held in place with pin 18.
[0026] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate the operation of latch
mechanism 14. In FIG. 11A the latch is shown in the engaged state.
As can be seen in the Figures, the latch mechanism button 13
includes ramped portion 17 that interacts with arm 11 when button
13 is depressed. Arm 11 extends from the toothed profile 15. In
order to disengage latch 12, button 13 is depressed forcing ramp
portion 17 against arm 11, which in turn bends toothed profile
portion 15 away from toothed profile 16 of latch 12 (see FIG. 11B).
Latch mechanism 14 is preferably formed of a resilient material
such as plastic thereby acting as a spring to return both button 13
and arm 11 to the engaged state shown in FIG. 11A. Preferably, grip
6 is permanently attached to the upper end of upper tubular section
2.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 it can be appreciated that
adjustable pole 1 is convertible between a pole having a tip and
basket 32, 28 for use in snow or ice, to a pole having foot 30
designed for use on pavement or other hard surfaces. Traction foot
30 is preferably formed of a compliant rubber. Foot mounting
portion 26 includes key 36 which registers in a geometrically
congruent keyway 37 formed in foot 30. Foot mounting portion 26
also includes a snap ring 35 which engages annular snap ring groove
34 also formed in foot 30, thereby to retain foot 30 on lower
tubular section 4.
[0028] Key 36 engages foot keyway 37, allowing the removal of the
foot by axial displacement, while maintaining proper angular
orientation of the foot. Since the handgrip 6, preferably, is
permanently affixed to the upper tubular section 2, and the food
end portion 26 is permanently affixed to the lower tubular section
4, continual alignment between the traction foot 30 and handgrip 6
is achieved regardless of the height adjustment of the upper and
lower tubular sections.
[0029] Preferably, foot 30 is loosely fitted with foot mounting
portion 26 such that the two components are secured longitudinally
solely by the interference between the snap ring 35 and groove 34,
with the vertical load resisted by a metal washer 31 bearing
against tip 32. This detent retention method results in a more
controllable installation force than the tapered press-fit method
normally used.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a view of the middle section of the self-orienting
adjustable length fitness pole, showing the upper tubular section 2
with clamp 50 installed on the lower joint portion 20. FIG. 9 shows
the clamp 50 in the locked or pressure-fit position. Clamp 50
includes split collar 52 which contacts the lower joint portion 20.
Lower joint portion 20 has a relief slot 48 extending from the end
of upper tubular section 2 to stop hole 47. Relief slot 48
facilitates deformation of lower joint portion 20 allowing the
transfer of gripping action exerted by the clamp 50 to upper joint
portion 24.
[0031] Clamp 50 also includes clamp lever arm 54, which is secured
to split collar 52 with pin 64, clamp screw 60, and clamp nut 62.
Also shown in this figure is a stop 46 which is secured to lower
tubular section 4 and operative to ride upwardly against the
interior of upper tubular section 2 until it engages stop hole 47
when upper joint portion 24 is extended to the end of its travel.
This corresponds to the longest effective length for the fitness
pole. FIG. 10 is a top view of clamping collar 50 in the unlocked
position, with the eccentric cam surface 56 of the clamp lever arm
54 disengaged from the clamp split collar 52.
[0032] Accordingly, the present invention has been described with
some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiment
of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that
the present invention is defined by the following claims construed
in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be
made to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention without
departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.
* * * * *