Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Insulated handle – Bar-type handle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-14
2001-11-06
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3626)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Insulated handle
Bar-type handle
C016S421000, C280S821000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311370
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a ski pole handle equipped with a safety strap consisting of a strip formed into a loop equipped with a connecting piece fixed by snap-fastening into a housing formed in the upper part of the handle so that it detaches from the handle by elastic deformation of the snap fastening under the effect of a tensile force which exceeds a predetermined value so that it can be reattached to the handle repeatedly.
A handle of this kind is known from patent DE 28 08 549, the content of which is incorporated by reference. The connecting piece consists of an elastic clip which is snap-fastened over a transverse metallic bar belonging to the handle. The two lengths of the strip which form the strap are fixed flat by means of a rivet in a slit in the connecting piece. The strap can detach from the handle both under the effect of a tensile force directed transversely to the handle and under the effect of a tensile force directed along the axis of the pole.
Patent application DE 26 56 814, the content of which is incorporated by reference, also discloses a ski pole handle equipped with a safety ski strap equipped with a bent metal connecting piece exhibiting a thickened portion in the shape of a dihedron which engages under a corresponding bent part of a spring leaf anchored in the bottom of a housing opening laterally to the side of the handle and pressing against an abutment screw which allows the release force to be adjusted. This construction is relatively complicated and the adjusting screw is liable to become unscrewed altering the setting. The strap can detach from the handle both under the effect of a lateral tensile force and under the effect of a tensile force parallel to the axis of the handle, the lateral tensile force needed for detachment however being greater than the longitudinal tensile force.
Patent application DE 23 52 600, the content of which is incorporated by reference, describes safety handles which detach from the pole under the effect of a tensile force directed in the continuation of the pole. This same document proposes a safety strap held axially in the handle of a pole by a pawl, the rounded snout of which engages directly in the material of the strap. In the normal position of use, the strap presses against one arm of the pawl so as to prevent the latter from tilting to release itself from the strap. The direction of the detachment force is therefore also selective. This construction is, however, relatively complicated and fragile, the pawl furthermore having to have a spring to prevent the strap from escaping while it is being introduced and when the pole is hung up by its strap. Furthermore a rigid connecting piece between the strap and the pawl is needed in practice.
In general, it has become apparent that strap detachment under the effect of a tensile force transversal to the handle is not needed, or even undesirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to fix a safety strap to a pole handle using means which are simpler than the means known from the prior art, which is highly robust, but which detaches from the pole only under the effect of a tensile force directed at least approximately in the continuation of the handle, and in which the strap has a more favorable position of use.
The ski pole handle according to the invention is one wherein the housing in the handle has a cavity which is bounded in the direction of the upper end of the handle by a pair of projections and wherein the housing communicates laterally with the outside of the handle via a slot, and wherein the connecting piece has a shape such that it can be forcibly axially introduced into said cavity and held in the cavity by the pair of projections in a position such that the strap passes through said slot and can turn about an axis transversal to the handle and can detach from the handle under the effect of a tensile force directed at least approximately in the continuation of the handle.
This handle is of a very simple construction. The fixing of the strap to the handle involves neither pin nor spring nor pawl. The connecting piece is fixed directly into the cavity of the housing in the handle. The strap is easy to refit. All that is required is for the connecting piece to be pushed into the housing in the handle.
According to one embodiment the strap is articulated to the connecting piece and the latter is advantageously equipped with a flange which closes off the housing in the handle, it being on this flange that the pressure is exerted for refitting the strap.
The slot is advantageously directed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle and its width is approximately equal to the thickness of the strip of the strap and is then oriented in this way in a vertical plane.
The strap can turn about an axis transversal to the handle, which gives it a great deal of freedom of movement. The vertical position of the lengths of the strap in the handle seems more favorable than the customary flat position.
This connecting piece is advantageously made of plastic and is made up of two parts joined together so that they cannot be disassembled, by snap-fastening, one of the parts having a pin passing through the strap and a split conical head which catches in the second part of the connecting piece.
According to one embodiment, the housing is located in an attached plastic component which has two lateral catching tabs capable of flexing elastically when the attached component is introduced axially into the handle so as to catch in the handle. Advantageously, said slot extends diametrically across the attached component and also acts as an elasticity slot ensuring that the attached component is held in the handle without play.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3982747 (1976-09-01), Schweinsberg
patent: 4247132 (1981-01-01), Shields
patent: 4288100 (1981-09-01), Aho
patent: 4779896 (1988-10-01), Ingalls
patent: 5632061 (1997-05-01), Smith et al.
patent: 6139060 (2000-10-01), Lenhart
patent: 2352600 (1973-10-01), None
patent: 23 52 600 (1975-04-01), None
patent: 2828612 (1978-06-01), None
patent: 26 56 814 (1978-06-01), None
patent: 28 28 612 A (1980-01-01), None
patent: 28 08 549 (1989-10-01), None
patent: 40 05 193 A (1991-08-01), None
patent: 2 270 913 A (1975-12-01), None
patent: 2382250 (1977-03-01), None
Preliminary Search Report in SN Fr 9905402.
Bugnion S.A.
Knight Anthony
Moetteli John
Skis Rossignol S.A.
Williams Mark
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