EP1676608B1 - Device for mounting a washer on a pole intended for practicing wintersports - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a locking unit (7) movable in translation on a hollow shaft (10) fixed on a shaft of a ski-stick (2). The unit is inserted within an annular groove (80) integrated with a core (30) of a thrust washer to jointly fix and lock the washer such that the unit moves between active locking position where the unit cooperates with the groove and inactive unlocking position, where the washer is demounted. An independent claim is also included for a ski-stick having a washer mounting device and a thrust washer.

Description

The present invention relates to a support stick for walking or practicing winter sports such as downhill skiing, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing or ski touring, for example. It relates more particularly to an improvement for disassembly and easy reassembly of the washer.

In most alpine sports, including snowshoeing, snowshoeing and skiing, for example, the practitioner uses a stick to support his or her arms to help him or her progress or to balance. in his movements. The sticks are in known manner, consisting of a rod (stick body) whose lower part comprises a washer, and whose upper part comprises a handle and a retaining strap. Manufacturers have long since developed many types of sticks designed to adapt to the conditions of use of each sport practiced and the constraints experienced during use. However, these sticks of the prior art are not entirely satisfactory.

Indeed, for example according to the season of use and / or the topology of the ground, the sticks provided at their lower end with a washer having a bearing surface on the snow are not necessarily adapted to the extent that the surface and / or the shape of the washer does not provide optimum support for the user. For these reasons, it has already been proposed a range of washers with surface and shape adapted to each type of use. But still it is necessary that the user can proceed with the assembly and disassembly of the washer.

Patent is known EP-B-0906776 , a device that gives the user the possibility, for the same stick to mount and dismount a surface washer and different shape depending on, including the season of use and therefore the nature of the soil encountered. However, the time of assembly / disassembly as well as the ease of use and its reliability of the assembly could be further improved, in particular in extreme conditions of use according to which icy snow and / or ice can come sticking on the stick in the area where the puck is attached.

We also know of two previous documents CH 237 203 and CH 249 800 mounting devices with a lock of the washer on the stick made by a metal pin that can be removed or put in place. But these devices are unreliable and the locking pin can be lost.

The invention therefore aims to solve the aforementioned drawbacks using simple means, easy to implement and inexpensive. Its purpose is to provide the user with a device for removably mounting a washer to a stick for winter sports, which makes it possible to further reduce the assembly / disassembly time and to make these operations particularly simple and reliable, in any condition of use.

According to the invention the device for removably mounting a washer on the rod, a winter sports practice stick, wherein the washer comprises a central hub portion for housing the rod and a peripheral portion forming a surface bearing which extends transversely to the hub and intended to bear on the snow, the device comprising means for fixing and locking the washer, characterized in that the means for fixing and locking the washer are made jointly by the introduction of a locking element movable in lateral translation on a tip fixed on the rod of the stick, to take two positions, an unlocking position for disassembly of the washer, and a locking position according to which, the element locking cooperates with a groove made in the hub of the washer. Add that the locking element comprises at least one locking arm intended to be engaged in the locking position in the groove formed in the hub of the washer, while

the locking element is in the form of a frame, comprising two lateral branches and two end branches to form a central opening.

According to another complementary feature, the device comprises indexing means of the unlocking position and its locking position of the frame, whereas these means consist of at least two lateral notches provided on the lateral transverse branch, and intended to cooperate with each other. with a corresponding lug protruding inwardly of the nozzle so as to lock the locking member respectively in an active locking position and an inactive unlocking position.

Furthermore the device advantageously comprises, but not necessarily, means for angular positioning of the washer, which consist of indexing tabs extending towards the axis of the device to cooperate with corresponding slots made on the hub of the washer.

According to another feature, the tip comprises a hollow rod whose lower end comprises a metal hooking point, and whose upper end comprises the mounting device.

The invention relates to the washer intended for the implementation of the mounting device, and the stick equipped with this device.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given by way of non-limiting examples.

• La figure 1 représente l'extrémité inférieure du bâton avec l'embout et sa rondelle, selon une vue en perspective.
• La figure 2 représente selon une vue en perspective, l'embout monté sur la tige du bâton, avec sa rondelle mais avant sa mise en place, le bâton étant en position horizontale.
• La figure 3 est une vue en perspective représentant la rondelle.
• La figure 4 est une vue en perspective représentant l'embout mais mis à l'envers, pour une meilleure compréhension du dessin, à savoir l'extrémité inférieure étant placée au dessus de l'extrémité supérieure.
• La figure 5 est une vue en coupe longitudinale de l'embout avec sa rondelle selon la figure 1 emmanché sur un bâton, la rondelle étant en position verrouillée sur l'embout correspondant.
• La figure 6 est une vue en coupe selon 6-6 de la figure 5.
• La figure 7 est une vue similaire à la figure 5, mais avec la rondelle en position déverrouillée, permettant son déplacement vers le bas.
• La figure 8 est une vue en coupe selon 8-8 de la figure 7.
• Les figures 9a, 9b illustrent une variante de réalisation selon laquelle l'embout ne s'étend que dans la zone de la rondelle, sans s'étendre vers l'extrémité inférieure de la tige du bâton.

Figures 1 to 8 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the device of the invention, and more particularly a tip for stick on which is fixed a washer according to the invention.

• Figure 1 shows the lower end of the stick with the tip and its washer, in a perspective view.
• 2 shows a perspective view, the tip mounted on the rod of the stick with its washer but before its introduction, the stick being in a horizontal position.
• Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the washer.
• Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the tip but put upside down, for a better understanding of the drawing, namely the lower end being placed above the upper end.
• Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the nozzle with its washer according to Figure 1 fitted on a stick, the washer being in the locked position on the corresponding endpiece.
• Figure 6 is a sectional view along 6-6 of Figure 5.
• Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5, but with the washer in the unlocked position, allowing its movement down.
• Figure 8 is a sectional view along 8-8 of Figure 7.
• Figures 9a, 9b illustrate an alternative embodiment in which the tip extends only in the area of the washer, without extending to the lower end of the rod of the stick.

The ski pole (2) comprising the mounting device of the invention (1) is of the type intended for sportsmen or walkers who practice snow sports such as skiing or snowshoeing, but it could be adapted to any type of stick of another kind, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The stick is illustrated here only partially by its lower end, but is, in known manner, in the form of a rod (2) of longitudinal profile or an adjustable assembly of longitudinal profiles whose end lower includes a support washer (3) and the upper end (not shown) a handle with a retaining strap.

As shown the device for mounting and retaining the washer, comprises a tip (1) consisting of a hollow rod (10) advantageously made of plastic material, the lower end (100) comprises a metallic hook point (11), as a support element and hooking, while the upper end (101) comprises removable connection means (4) for the washer (3).

Moreover, the hollow rod (10) comprises an axial cylindrical housing (102) intended to receive the lower part of the rod of the stick (2).

According to the invention, there are provided removable connection means allowing the user to assemble / disassemble quickly and easily the washer to replace it with another washer, namely a new washer or another washer, for example shaped and different sizes of the washer (3) as illustrated.

The washer (3) provided according to the invention comprises a hub-forming central portion (30) intended to house the rod (10) and a peripheral part (31) forming a bearing surface which extends transversely to the hub (30). ), intended to take support on the snow.

Thus, according to the invention, there is provided a device (4) for removably mounting the washer (3), that is to say the removable connection means on the rod (10), of the type comprising advantageously but not exclusively, positioning means for angularly positioning the washer relative to the rod, means for longitudinally positioning the washer positioned angularly relative to the rod, and fixing means of the washer positioned longitudinally and locking means of the fixed washer; longitudinally.

According to the invention, the fastening and locking means of the washer (3) are made jointly at least in part by the introduction of a locking element (7, 74) secured to the rod, in an element to be locked ( 8, 80) integral with the hub (30) of the washer (3), the washer being locked around the rod by transverse thrust on the locking element (7), causing its displacement towards its active locking position.

According to the preferred embodiment and illustrated, the locking element (7) has a locking profile (74) intended to cooperate with the hollow profile (80) of the locking element (8) integral with the hub (30). of the washer (3). It goes without saying that conversely, the projecting profile may be provided on the element to be locked and the recessed profile may be provided on the element to be locked.

According to this illustrated embodiment, the introduction of the locking element (7) in the element to be locked (8) prevents the longitudinal translation of the washer (3) relative to the rod (10) of the nozzle.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the tip (1) comprises a locking element (7) advantageously constituted by two transverse branches (71, 72) connected at their ends by two curved end branches (73, 74.

According to the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the locking element (7) therefore has the general shape of a frame (7) closed on itself, formed by the two transverse branches (71, 72) and the two branches of curved end (73, 74) and whose central opening (75) formed by the frame (7) is intended to accommodate the hub (30) of the washer.

According to the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the locking element (7) comprises means for indexing the inactive unlocking and locking active position, which consist of at least two lateral notches (71a-71b and / or 72a). -72b) formed on the longitudinal branch (71 and / or 72), and intended to cooperate with a corresponding lug (12, 13) protruding towards the inside of the end piece so as to hold the locking element (7) respectively in an active locking position and an inactive unlocking position.

The active locking position is, in the illustrated embodiment, obtained by transverse thrust according to (MON) on the locking element (7) while the inactive unlocking position is obtained by transverse thrust in the opposite direction (DEM) also on the locking element (7).

It should be added that the end branch (74) constitutes the locking branch and therefore the locking element intended to be engaged in the annular groove (80) of the element to be locked. Note also that to give the necessary elasticity to the retention of the locking element (7) in its two positions, the locking arm (74) comprises a zone of less width (740) allowing the approximation of the two transverse branches (71). , 72).

In the illustrated embodiment, the tip and more particularly its eyelet (90) comprises an indexing tab (9) arranged longitudinally on the rod (10) and which then extends transversely towards the axis of the rod. below the locking element (7), thereby forming an angular and longitudinal positioning means (MP) by cooperation with the corresponding slot (81) formed in the tubular portion (8) of the washer (3).

In the illustrated embodiment of the washer according to the invention, the hub (30) extends above the bearing surface (31) forming a tubular portion (8) around which is formed an annular groove (80) for receiving the locking member and more particularly its locking end branch (74).

Furthermore, the locking element (7) having the form of a closed frame is mounted to move laterally relative to the endpiece and more precisely with respect to the eyelet (90) disposed at the upper part of the rod ( 10). Thus, locking of the washer on the nozzle is done by lateral displacement of the locking element (7) until the end branch (74) is engaged in the hollow profile (80) forming a groove peripheral (Figures 5, 6). Note that in the unlocked position illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 the position of the locking member allows the passage of the tubular portion (8) of the washer (3) downwards.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, there is at least one longitudinal slot (81) forming angular and longitudinal positioning means, this slot being intended to cooperate with the indexing tab (9) of the end piece (1). ) which is provided on the tubular portion (8), the lateral edge (s) (810) of this slot (81) forming angular positioning means (s), the edge constituting the bottom (811) of this slot forming longitudinal positioning means.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the mounting device provided on the endpiece (1) forms an eyelet (90) connected to the remainder of the hollow rod (10) by the indexing tab (s) (9). ), the locking frame (7) being movably mounted between the two locking and unlocking positions within the empty space (e) delimited by said eyelet and the remainder of the hollow rod (10)

The invention that has just been described allows a quick and easy assembly / disassembly of a washer on a rod rod since unlike the state of the art, the locking step of the washer on the rod is done while the washer is in the same angular position as that determined during its angular and longitudinal positioning for fixing.

Furthermore, it can be noted that, if according to the preferred embodiment illustrated, the removable mounting device (4) is made in the same room that the hollow rod (10) of the nozzle (1), it is obvious that this device incorporating the locking frame (7) can be reported for example by screwing on the hollow rod (10).

In addition, it may also be noted that if the illustrated embodiment shows two indexing lugs (9) symmetrical to each other with respect to the axis (X-X ') of the rod (10) which each cooperate with a longitudinal slot (81) provided for this purpose on the hub portion (30, 80) of the washer, it can very well be provided a single lug (9) cooperating with a single slot (81).

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented by way of examples, but it also includes all the technical equivalents as well as their combinations.

If in the illustrated embodiment, the mounting device is provided on the stick end, it goes without saying that it can very well be directly attached to the lower end of a profile of the stick. Thus and for example the tubular portion (10) of the tip may not extend to the lower end of the stick, but only extend at the mounting device, as shown in Figures 9a , and 9b.

Claims (9)

1. Device for removably mounting a washer (3) on the rod (2) of a stick for use in practising winter sports, said washer (3) comprising a central part forming a hub (30) adapted to accommodate the rod (2) and a peripheral part (31) forming an abutment surface which extends transversely with respect to the hub (30) and is adapted to bear on the snow, this device comprising means for fixing and locking the washer (3) on the rod (2), which are jointly formed by introducing a locking element (7) which is movable by lateral translation on an endpiece (10) fixed to the rod of the stick, so as to take up two positions, an inactive release position in which the washer can be removed and an active locking position in which the locking element cooperates with a groove (80) formed in the hub (30) of the washer, characterised in that the locking element (7) is in the form of a frame comprising two lateral arms (71, 72) and two end arms (73, 74) for forming a central opening (75) in which the hub of the washer (3) is accommodated.
2. Mounting device (4) according to claim 1, characterised in that the locking element (7) comprises at least one locking arm (74) which, in the locking position, engages in the groove (80) provided in the hub of the washer.
3. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that it comprises means for indexing its inactive release position and its active locking position (71a, 71b, - 72a, 72b, - 12, 13).
4. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that the means for indexing the release position and locking position consist of at least two lateral notches (71a-71b or 72a-72b) formed on the lateral transverse arms (71 or 72), and adapted to cooperate with a corresponding lug (12, 13) projecting into the interior of the endpiece so as to secure the locking element (7) in an active locking position and in an inactive release position, respectively.
5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises means for the angular positioning of the washer.
6. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that means for the angular positioning of the washer consist of at least one indexing tab (9) extending towards the axis of the device in order to cooperate with at least one corresponding slot (81) provided on the hub of the washer.
7. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that the longitudinal slot (81) is provided on the tubular portion (8) which is integral with the hub (30), the lateral edge(s) (810) of this slot forming angular positioning means, the edge that constitutes the base (811) of said slot forming longitudinal positioning means.
8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the endpiece comprises a hollow rod (10) the lower end (100) of which comprises a metallic securing tip (11), and the upper end (101) of which comprises the assembly device (4).
9. Ski stick, characterised in that it comprises the mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images