Title:
HAND ENCLOSURE FOR SKI POLES
United States Patent 3746356
Abstract:
An enclosure dimensioned to receive a skier's gloved hand and containing a hand grip secured to a ski pole, the grip being removably or permanently secured at its ends to the top and bottom of the enclosure so that a skier may insert his gloved hand around the grip and clench his fist.
US Patent References:
Hand covering for use in association with handlebars
Grothe et al. - September 1953 - 2650361
Sking gloves and mits
Marchand - November 1965 - 3218089
SKI POLE GRIP
Giambazi - February 1971 - 3565451
Hand covering for use in association with handlebars
Grothe et al. - September 1953 - 2650361
Sking gloves and mits
Marchand - November 1965 - 3218089
SKI POLE GRIP
Giambazi - February 1971 - 3565451
Application Number:
05/126076
Publication Date:
07/17/1973
Filing Date:
03/19/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
2/16
International Classes:
A63C11/22; A63C11/00; A63C11/22
Field of Search:
280/11.37H,11.37B,11.37E,11.37D 2/16,17 74/558.5
Primary Examiner:
Hersh, Benjamin
Assistant Examiner:
Smith, Milton L.
Claims:
I claim
1. An enclosure for a skier's hand, and intended also to receive an end of a ski pole, the enclosure comprising:
2. An enclosure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure and hand grip are permanently joined.
3. An enclosure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure and hand grip are separably connected.
4. An enclosure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure is shaped in approximate conformity to a skier's gloved hand when clenched to form a fist, and the hand grip is offset from the center of the enclosure.
5. An enclosure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes an attaching means engageable with the extended end of the ski grip.
6. An enclosure, as defined in claim 5, wherein the attaching means is forcibly detachable by the skier's hand to permit angular movement of the hand grip with respect to the enclosure.
7. Means for attachment to a ski pole for protection of a skier's gloved hand, said means comprising:
8. A protecting means, as defined in claim 7, wherein:
9. A protecting means, as defined in claim 7, wherein:
10. A protecting means, as defined in claim 7, wherein:
1. An enclosure for a skier's hand, and intended also to receive an end of a ski pole, the enclosure comprising:
2. An enclosure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure and hand grip are permanently joined.
3. An enclosure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure and hand grip are separably connected.
4. An enclosure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure is shaped in approximate conformity to a skier's gloved hand when clenched to form a fist, and the hand grip is offset from the center of the enclosure.
5. An enclosure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes an attaching means engageable with the extended end of the ski grip.
6. An enclosure, as defined in claim 5, wherein the attaching means is forcibly detachable by the skier's hand to permit angular movement of the hand grip with respect to the enclosure.
7. Means for attachment to a ski pole for protection of a skier's gloved hand, said means comprising:
8. A protecting means, as defined in claim 7, wherein:
9. A protecting means, as defined in claim 7, wherein:
10. A protecting means, as defined in claim 7, wherein:
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Ski poles are customarily provided with a hand grip and a looped strap secured to the hand grip. In use, the strap is looped about the skier's wrist to prevent loss of the ski pole should the skier relax his grip. The strap is, however, a nuisance. It is necessarily rather large so that it can be removed in an emergency; but, being large, often a skier will clamp a portion of the strap between the hand grip and his fist. Even though the skier will have gloves on, the side edges of the strap may press locally into the surface of the hand to interfer with blood flow, with attendant discomfort.
Although a skier's hand is protected from the surrounding cold air by a ski glove, the movement of the hands through the air, as the skier walks with the aid of the ski poles, or more particularly, as he is traveling at high speed downhill, increases the dissipation of heat from the hand. Also, the very fact of tightly gripping the hand grip, reduces circulation so that the supply of heat energy is reduced. As a result, even though the skier may wear heavy gloves, his hands often become excessively chilled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an enclosure which fits over a skier's hand and contains a ski pole grip, the invention being summarized in the following objects:
First, to provide a hand enclosure and ski pole grip which eliminates the need of a ski pole strap, and also permits the skier to flex and unflex his hand to improve circulation, while providing increased heat insulation.
Second, to provide a hand enclosure and ski pole grip wherein the ski pole grip may be permanently mounted in the enclosure or may be arranged for removal therefrom, and, in particular, may be arranged so that its upper end may be disconnected by internal pressure exerted by the hand so as to aid in emergency removal of the hand from the enclosure.
Third, to provide a hand enclosure and ski pole grip, one embodiment of which includes a fluted wristband so arranged as to fold close about the wrist, but free to expand to facilitate removal of the enclosure.
Fourth, to provide a hand enclosure, an embodiment of which is longitudinally divided, except for its extremity, the divided portions normally overlapping, but separable.
Fifth, to provide a hand enclosure, an embodiment of which is provided with adjustable venting means to permit air circulation if needed to reduce the temperature within the enclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view, showing one embodiment of the hand enclosure for ski poles, taken through 1--1 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view thereof, taken through 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, taken through 3--3 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, taken in the same direction as FIG. 3, showing a modified form of the hand enclosure, with the hand grip omitted.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view, taken through 5--5 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is an end view, showing a further modified form of the hand enclosure for ski poles.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view thereof, taken through 7--7 of FIG. 6, the view being rotated ninety degrees.
FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view, taken through 8--8 of FIG. 9, showing a still further modified form of the hand enclosure for ski poles.
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, taken through 9--9 of FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the hand enclosure, with the hand grip omitted, taken through 10--10 of FIG. 9, with the two parts of the hand enclosure shown folded outwardly from each other.
FIG. 11 is a similar fragmentary sectional view, showing the two parts joined together.
FIG. 12 is an end view of a further embodiment of the hand enclosure.
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken through 13--13 of FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken through 14--14 of FIG. 13.
Reference is first directed to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The hand enclosure includes an enclosure member 1 formed of pliable material, preferably plastic, which may have elastomeric properties. The material may be non-porous or include a porous core; that is, the midportion of the material may be porous, but the surface is preferably non-porous. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 may be molded in a single piece, or two pieces fused together to function as a single piece.
The enclosure includes a first encompassing portion 2, conforming approximately to the shape of a clenched fist, and a wrist encompassing portion 3 extending therefrom and terminating in an access opening 4. At the bottom of the fist encompassing portion is a recessed opening 5, and depending from the upper side of the fist encompassing portion in alignment with the opening 5 is a retainer boss 6.
The enclosure receives a hand grip 7, having an upwardly extending ski pole socket 8, which receives an end of a ski pole 9. The upper end of the hand grip is provided with a recess 10, which receives a screw 11, adapted to be screwthreaded into the upper end of the ski pole 9 so that the hand grip may be fixed to the ski pole. Other conventional means of attachment, such as adhesive material, may be used. The lower end of the hand grip, that is, the end from which the ski pole 9 extends, is provided with a flange 12, which conforms to the recessed portion of the opening 5. Above the flange is a groove 13, which receives the margins of the opening 5 so that the hand grip may be removably secured in the opening 5. The recessed upper end of the hand grip receives the retainer boss 6.
The hand grip 7 is provided with finger recesses 14, and otherwise contoured to fit confortably within the clenched, gloved hand of a skier, as indicated by broken lines in FIGS. 1 and 3. The hand grip is offset, as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3, so that the palm of the hand may fit one side and the fingers the other. Also, sufficient space is provided between the glove worn by the skier and the walls of the enclosure so that the skier may readily insert his hand to grip the hand grip, or remove his hand therefrom. Ideally, the enclosure would be molded to fit the individual skier's gloved hand, but this, of course, is impractical; therefore, clearance between the glove and the enclosure must be such as to fit a range of sizes. As the spacing between the glove and the enclosure decreases, ability to extract one's hand also decreases. However, the retainer boss 6 and recess 10 may be so proportioned that a sudden pull on the hand grip with respect to the enclosure, permits the hand grip to tilt, as indicated by the arrow 15 in FIG. 1, facilitating the removal of the hand.
Should the skier prefer, however, the ends of the hand grip may be permanently attached by adhesive to the enclosure. Also, if desired, the screw 11 may extend through the top of the enclosure into the ski pole.
Reference is directed to FIGS. 4 and 5, which illustrate a modified embodiment of the hand enclosure. In this case, the lower side of the enclosure between the access opening 4 and the recessed opening 5 is slit and the sides of the slit extend to form overlapping margins 16. One or more snap fasteners 17 secure the margins 16 together. In addition, if desired, a pull tab 18 may be provided. With this arrangement, if force is applied in a direction to move the hand grip toward the access opening, the overlapping margins 16 twist to accommodate the hand grip and as the hand grip approaches the snap fastener 17, the force is in a direction to cause the parts of the snap fastener to disengage.
Reference is now directed to FIGS. 6 and 7. In this construction, the hand grip 7 may be the same as in the first described structure. However, the enclosure 19 includes a spherical fist encompassing portion 20, in which the hand grip is centered, and a fluted wrist encompassing portion 21 extending therefrom. The flutes may take various shapes, but in any case, are radially yieldable to permit insertion or withdrawal of a gloved hand.
Reference is now directed to FIGS. 12, 13 and 14. This construction adds to the construction shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a means for providing ventilation through the enclosure. Due to the fact that the temperatures vary over wide ranges on the ski slopes, conditions can develop in which some circulation within the enclosure is desirable. This may be accomplished by providing a retainer boss 22 at the closed end of the enclosure. The retainer boss is provided with a polygonal shank 23 and receives a rotatable semi-spherical disc 24 conforming to the fist encompassing portion 20. The disc, like the enclosure, is formed of plastic material with sufficient elastomeric qualities that it may be snapped from one position to another about the shank 23. The portion of the enclosure underlying the disc 24 is provided with perforations 25, which may be aligned or misaligned with respect to perforations 26 provided in the disc.
Reference is now directed to FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11. The enclosure 27 here illustrated is formed of two complementary portions 28, having flat ends 29, having a foldable connection 30.
When the portions 28 are folded into complementary relation, they form fist encompassing subportions 31 and wrist encompassing subportions 32, having overlapping bottom margins 33 and overlapping top margins 34. The bottom and top margins have, respectively, retainer openings 35 and 36, capable of occupying a coaxial position. The enclosure 27 receives a hand grip 37, similar to the hand grip 7. The hand grip 37 is provided with a bottom groove 38 which receives the lower retainer opening 35 and a top groove 39 which receives the upper retainer opening 36. The grooves may be relatively deep or shallow, depending upon the force intended to be used to separate the hand grip from the enclosure 27. Still further, if desired, the hand grip 37 may be cemented in place. Conversely, if it is desired to facilitate separation of the hand grip from the enclosure, the overlapping margins may be arranged as indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5, permitting the retainer openings 35 and 36 to be split apart. Also, as in FIGS. 4 and 5, one or more snap fasteners 17 may be provided.
While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it is not intended to limit the same to the details of the constructions set forth, but instead, the invention embraces such changes, modifications and equivalents of the various parts and their relationships as come within the purview of the appended claims.
Ski poles are customarily provided with a hand grip and a looped strap secured to the hand grip. In use, the strap is looped about the skier's wrist to prevent loss of the ski pole should the skier relax his grip. The strap is, however, a nuisance. It is necessarily rather large so that it can be removed in an emergency; but, being large, often a skier will clamp a portion of the strap between the hand grip and his fist. Even though the skier will have gloves on, the side edges of the strap may press locally into the surface of the hand to interfer with blood flow, with attendant discomfort.
Although a skier's hand is protected from the surrounding cold air by a ski glove, the movement of the hands through the air, as the skier walks with the aid of the ski poles, or more particularly, as he is traveling at high speed downhill, increases the dissipation of heat from the hand. Also, the very fact of tightly gripping the hand grip, reduces circulation so that the supply of heat energy is reduced. As a result, even though the skier may wear heavy gloves, his hands often become excessively chilled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an enclosure which fits over a skier's hand and contains a ski pole grip, the invention being summarized in the following objects:
First, to provide a hand enclosure and ski pole grip which eliminates the need of a ski pole strap, and also permits the skier to flex and unflex his hand to improve circulation, while providing increased heat insulation.
Second, to provide a hand enclosure and ski pole grip wherein the ski pole grip may be permanently mounted in the enclosure or may be arranged for removal therefrom, and, in particular, may be arranged so that its upper end may be disconnected by internal pressure exerted by the hand so as to aid in emergency removal of the hand from the enclosure.
Third, to provide a hand enclosure and ski pole grip, one embodiment of which includes a fluted wristband so arranged as to fold close about the wrist, but free to expand to facilitate removal of the enclosure.
Fourth, to provide a hand enclosure, an embodiment of which is longitudinally divided, except for its extremity, the divided portions normally overlapping, but separable.
Fifth, to provide a hand enclosure, an embodiment of which is provided with adjustable venting means to permit air circulation if needed to reduce the temperature within the enclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view, showing one embodiment of the hand enclosure for ski poles, taken through 1--1 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view thereof, taken through 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, taken through 3--3 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, taken in the same direction as FIG. 3, showing a modified form of the hand enclosure, with the hand grip omitted.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view, taken through 5--5 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is an end view, showing a further modified form of the hand enclosure for ski poles.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view thereof, taken through 7--7 of FIG. 6, the view being rotated ninety degrees.
FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view, taken through 8--8 of FIG. 9, showing a still further modified form of the hand enclosure for ski poles.
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, taken through 9--9 of FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the hand enclosure, with the hand grip omitted, taken through 10--10 of FIG. 9, with the two parts of the hand enclosure shown folded outwardly from each other.
FIG. 11 is a similar fragmentary sectional view, showing the two parts joined together.
FIG. 12 is an end view of a further embodiment of the hand enclosure.
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken through 13--13 of FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken through 14--14 of FIG. 13.
Reference is first directed to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The hand enclosure includes an enclosure member 1 formed of pliable material, preferably plastic, which may have elastomeric properties. The material may be non-porous or include a porous core; that is, the midportion of the material may be porous, but the surface is preferably non-porous. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 may be molded in a single piece, or two pieces fused together to function as a single piece.
The enclosure includes a first encompassing portion 2, conforming approximately to the shape of a clenched fist, and a wrist encompassing portion 3 extending therefrom and terminating in an access opening 4. At the bottom of the fist encompassing portion is a recessed opening 5, and depending from the upper side of the fist encompassing portion in alignment with the opening 5 is a retainer boss 6.
The enclosure receives a hand grip 7, having an upwardly extending ski pole socket 8, which receives an end of a ski pole 9. The upper end of the hand grip is provided with a recess 10, which receives a screw 11, adapted to be screwthreaded into the upper end of the ski pole 9 so that the hand grip may be fixed to the ski pole. Other conventional means of attachment, such as adhesive material, may be used. The lower end of the hand grip, that is, the end from which the ski pole 9 extends, is provided with a flange 12, which conforms to the recessed portion of the opening 5. Above the flange is a groove 13, which receives the margins of the opening 5 so that the hand grip may be removably secured in the opening 5. The recessed upper end of the hand grip receives the retainer boss 6.
The hand grip 7 is provided with finger recesses 14, and otherwise contoured to fit confortably within the clenched, gloved hand of a skier, as indicated by broken lines in FIGS. 1 and 3. The hand grip is offset, as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3, so that the palm of the hand may fit one side and the fingers the other. Also, sufficient space is provided between the glove worn by the skier and the walls of the enclosure so that the skier may readily insert his hand to grip the hand grip, or remove his hand therefrom. Ideally, the enclosure would be molded to fit the individual skier's gloved hand, but this, of course, is impractical; therefore, clearance between the glove and the enclosure must be such as to fit a range of sizes. As the spacing between the glove and the enclosure decreases, ability to extract one's hand also decreases. However, the retainer boss 6 and recess 10 may be so proportioned that a sudden pull on the hand grip with respect to the enclosure, permits the hand grip to tilt, as indicated by the arrow 15 in FIG. 1, facilitating the removal of the hand.
Should the skier prefer, however, the ends of the hand grip may be permanently attached by adhesive to the enclosure. Also, if desired, the screw 11 may extend through the top of the enclosure into the ski pole.
Reference is directed to FIGS. 4 and 5, which illustrate a modified embodiment of the hand enclosure. In this case, the lower side of the enclosure between the access opening 4 and the recessed opening 5 is slit and the sides of the slit extend to form overlapping margins 16. One or more snap fasteners 17 secure the margins 16 together. In addition, if desired, a pull tab 18 may be provided. With this arrangement, if force is applied in a direction to move the hand grip toward the access opening, the overlapping margins 16 twist to accommodate the hand grip and as the hand grip approaches the snap fastener 17, the force is in a direction to cause the parts of the snap fastener to disengage.
Reference is now directed to FIGS. 6 and 7. In this construction, the hand grip 7 may be the same as in the first described structure. However, the enclosure 19 includes a spherical fist encompassing portion 20, in which the hand grip is centered, and a fluted wrist encompassing portion 21 extending therefrom. The flutes may take various shapes, but in any case, are radially yieldable to permit insertion or withdrawal of a gloved hand.
Reference is now directed to FIGS. 12, 13 and 14. This construction adds to the construction shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a means for providing ventilation through the enclosure. Due to the fact that the temperatures vary over wide ranges on the ski slopes, conditions can develop in which some circulation within the enclosure is desirable. This may be accomplished by providing a retainer boss 22 at the closed end of the enclosure. The retainer boss is provided with a polygonal shank 23 and receives a rotatable semi-spherical disc 24 conforming to the fist encompassing portion 20. The disc, like the enclosure, is formed of plastic material with sufficient elastomeric qualities that it may be snapped from one position to another about the shank 23. The portion of the enclosure underlying the disc 24 is provided with perforations 25, which may be aligned or misaligned with respect to perforations 26 provided in the disc.
Reference is now directed to FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11. The enclosure 27 here illustrated is formed of two complementary portions 28, having flat ends 29, having a foldable connection 30.
When the portions 28 are folded into complementary relation, they form fist encompassing subportions 31 and wrist encompassing subportions 32, having overlapping bottom margins 33 and overlapping top margins 34. The bottom and top margins have, respectively, retainer openings 35 and 36, capable of occupying a coaxial position. The enclosure 27 receives a hand grip 37, similar to the hand grip 7. The hand grip 37 is provided with a bottom groove 38 which receives the lower retainer opening 35 and a top groove 39 which receives the upper retainer opening 36. The grooves may be relatively deep or shallow, depending upon the force intended to be used to separate the hand grip from the enclosure 27. Still further, if desired, the hand grip 37 may be cemented in place. Conversely, if it is desired to facilitate separation of the hand grip from the enclosure, the overlapping margins may be arranged as indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5, permitting the retainer openings 35 and 36 to be split apart. Also, as in FIGS. 4 and 5, one or more snap fasteners 17 may be provided.
While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it is not intended to limit the same to the details of the constructions set forth, but instead, the invention embraces such changes, modifications and equivalents of the various parts and their relationships as come within the purview of the appended claims.