EXERCISE STICK ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A stick assembly for sporting and/or recreational use includes an elongated shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the shaft for allowing a user to grip the assembly. The shaft includes an engagement portion for engaging a surface and an extension portion separating the engagement portion from the handle. The shaft includes at least one curve. The engagement portion of the shaft comprises a flexible material. The shaft may also define an inner passage for accommodating at least one weight.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention relates generally to sticks and/or poles for use in exercise, sports, or other recreation.

2. Description of the Related Art

Poles are often used in several recreational pursuits including cross-country and downhill skiing. These poles are most typical rigid devices used to provide balance. These poles may also be used to impart a force against a surface of snow to accelerate the user.

While the use of rigid poles is often ideal when used with snow, a soft surface, they are less ideal when used on a dense, hard surface, such as asphalt or concrete. When used in concert with roller skates, in-line skates, roller skis, or other such devices, rigid poles can be awkward, needing precise lengths and placement to provide suitable acceleration. As such, they are often not used at all by the general sporting public.

As such, there remains an opportunity to provide an exercise pole and/or stick which may be used on hard surfaces to provide acceleration to the user as well as strength training opportunities.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The subject invention defines a stick assembly for use sporting and/or recreational use. The assembly includes an elongated shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the shaft for allowing a user to grip the assembly. The shaft includes an engagement portion for engaging a surface and an extension portion separating the engagement portion from the handle. The shaft includes at least one curve. The engagement portion of the shaft comprises a flexible material.

The shaft may also define an inner passage for accommodating at least one weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stick assembly being utilized by a user;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the stick assembly;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the stick assembly;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the stick assembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the stick assembly;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the stick assembly;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the stick assembly;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of the stick assembly;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a tenth embodiment of the stick assembly; and

FIG. 10 is close-up perspective view of a portion of the stick assembly showing access to an inner passage of a shaft for inserting a weight.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a stick assembly 10 for sporting and/or recreational use is shown herein. Specifically, the assembly 10 is intended for use in roller skating. However, the assembly 10 may be used or adapted for use in any number of sports, including, but not limited to, ice skating, skiing, and roller skiing.

The assembly 10 includes an elongated shaft 12 extending from a proximal end 14 to a distal end 16. A handle 18 is coupled to the proximal end 14 of the shaft for allowing a user to grip the assembly 10. The handle 18 may include a strap 20 for interfacing with a hand of the user, as is well known to those skilled in the art.

The shaft 12 includes an engagement portion 22 for engaging a surface (not labeled). Typical surfaces include, but are not limited to the ground, a road, a path, a sidewalk, and a floor. These surfaces may be formed of any of any number of materials including, but not limited to, concrete, asphalt, wood, clay, and soil. The engagement portion 22 is disposed adjacent to and/or extends from the distal end 16 of the elongated shaft 12. The shaft 12 also includes an extension portion 24 separating the engagement portion 22 from the handle 18.

The engagement portion 22 comprises a first material. In first through seventh embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2-8, the first material of the engagement portion 22 is further defined as a flexible material. That is, the engagement portion 22 is formed of at least a flexible material. As such, the engagement portion 22 is flexible, i.e., the engagement portion 22 bends somewhat when a force is applied thereto. The flexible material of the engagement portion 22 may comprise carbon fiber. However, those skilled in the art realize that other suitable flexible materials may also be utilized in conjunction with or as an alternative to carbon fiber.

The extension portion 24 comprises a second material. The second material of the extension portion 24 may a different material from the first material of the engagement portion 22. Alternatively, the first and second materials of the respective engagement portion 22 and extension portions 24 may be the same material.

In the second through fifth embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, the second material of the extension portion 24 is further defined as a rigid material. That is the extension portion 24 is formed of at least a rigid material. As such, the extension portion 24 does not readily flex, i.e., the extension portion 24 preferably does not bend when a force is applied thereto. The rigid material of the extension portion 24 in these embodiments may comprise aluminum. However, those skilled in the art realize that other suitable rigid materials, such as plastics or steel, may also be utilized in conjunction with or as an alternative to aluminum.

In the first, sixth, and seventh embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, the second material of the extension portion 24 is further defined as a flexible material. That is, the extension portion 24 is formed of at least a flexible material. As such, the extension portion 24 of these embodiments is flexible, i.e., the extension portion 24 bends somewhat when a force is applied thereto. The flexible material of the extension portion 24 may comprise carbon fiber. However, those skilled in the art realize that other suitable flexible materials may also be utilized in conjunction with or as an alternative to carbon fiber.

In an eighth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the first material of the engagement portion 22 and the second material of the extension portion 24 is a rigid material.

The engagement portion 22 and the extension portion 24 may also be unitarily formed of a common material. That is, the engagement portion 22 and extension portion 24 are of a one-piece construction. For example, in the eighth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the engagement and extension portions 22, 24 of the shaft 12 may be formed of a single rigid material. Likewise, in the first, sixth, and seventh embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, the engagement and extension portions 22, 24 of the shaft may be formed of a single flexible material.

In the first through seventh embodiments, the shaft 12 defines at least one curve 26. Preferably, the curve 26 is formed in one of the portions 22, 24 of the shaft 12 comprising the flexible material, e.g., the carbon fiber. More specifically, the curve 26 is present in the shaft 12 in an uncompressed state. That is, the shaft 12 defines at least one curve 26 when not being compressed by the user or any other force. As such, the curve 26 of the flexible material acts as a spring and provides a spring-action to the assembly 10.

The use of the assembly 10 can harness energy of this spring-action to generate greater speeds when skating. Furthermore, the spring-action of the at least one curve 26 may provide greater resistance to the arms of the user, thus aiding in strength training.

The shaft 12 may also define two curves 26, such as is shown in the sixth, eight, and ninth embodiments, shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8. Preferably the curves 26 are disposed in opposite directions to one another. Said another way, one curve 26 projects toward a forward direction while another curve 26 projects towards a rearward direction. As such, the curves 26 fine an “s-shape” in the shaft 12. The use of multiple curves 26 provides added spring-action to the assembly 10. Particularly, the use of multiple curves provides additional resistance and energy absorption by the assembly 10, for even greater strength training. Furthermore, the use of multiple curves 26 reduces overall deflection of the shaft 12. As such, the shaft 12 remains in a predefined area when compressed and decompressed by the user.

The dimensions of the at least one curve 26 is dependent on the amount and/or type of resistance that is desired. For example, differing radii of the curve 26 will result in differing levels of resistance. The length of the curve 26 will also result in different levels of resistance.

To further increase the resistance of the assembly 10, one or more weights 28 may be supported by the shaft 12. The weights 28 may be supported external to the shaft 12 or internal within the shaft 12. Of course, the amount of weight, i.e., the mass, may vary for each weight 28 depending on the preferences of the user.

In the eighth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the weights 28 are external to the shaft 12. Specifically, the weights of the eighth embodiment define a hole (not numbered) such the shaft 12 may be disposed through the hole. The weights of the eighth embodiment have a circular, doughnut-type shape. However, those skilled in the art realize other suitable shapes for the external weights 28.

In the other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10, the weights 28 are disposed internal within the shaft 12. Specifically, at least one portion of the shaft defines an inner passage (not numbered) for accommodating at least one weight 28. Furthermore, the shaft 12 defines an opening 30 for allowing access to the inner passage to permit insertion and/or removal of the at least one weight 28. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the opening 30 is defined at the proximal end 14 of the shaft 12. The handle 18 may provide closure of the opening 30, especially when the assembly 10 is in use.

The angle of the handle 18 with respect to the shaft 12 may be adjustable. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the handle 18 may be hingibly connected to the shaft 12 for allowing angular adjustment of the handle 18 with respect to the shaft 12. As such, the user may adjust the angle that the engagement portion 22 of the shaft 12 contacts the ground. This adjustment can change the resistance characteristics of the assembly as a whole.

The height of the handle 18 with respect to the shaft 12 may also be adjustable. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the handle 18 is longitudinally movable with respect to the shaft 12 for allowing adjustment of the handle 12 with respect to the engagement portion 24 of the shaft 12. Accordingly, the overall length of the assembly 11 is adjustable to accommodate users of varying heights. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, an adjustment piece 32 is affixed to the extension portion 24 of the shaft 12 via a pair of connectors 34. The adjustment piece 32 includes a plurality of holes 36 to allow attachment via a screw or pin (not numbered) to the connectors 34 at a plurality of different heights. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the shaft 12 includes separate parts (not numbered) that mate with one another to alter the overall length of the assembly 11. Of course, the adjustment mechanisms shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be applied to any of the embodiments. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will realize other suitable techniques for changing the overall length of the assembly 11.

The present invention has been described herein in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A stick assembly for use sporting and/or recreational use, said assembly comprising:

an elongated shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end; and

a handle coupled to said proximal end of said shaft for allowing a user to grip said assembly;

said shaft including an engagement portion for engaging a surface and an extension portion separating said engagement portion from said handle;

said shaft including at least one curve; and

said engagement portion comprises a flexible material.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said engagement portion comprises carbon fiber.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least part of said extension portion comprises a flexible material.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said shaft comprises carbon fiber.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said engagement portion and said extension portion are unitarily formed of a common material.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said engagement portion is formed of a first material and said extension portion is formed of a second material different from said first material.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shaft defines at least two curves.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said shaft has an S-shaped configuration.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said sections of said shaft defines an inner passage for accommodating at least one weight.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said shaft defines an opening for allowing access to said inner passage to permit insertion and/or removal of said at least one weight.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said opening is defined at said proximal end of said shaft.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said handle provides closure of said opening.

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said handle is hingibly connected to said shaft for allowing angular adjustment of said handle with respect to said shaft.

14. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said handle is longitudinally movable with respect to said shaft for allowing adjustment of said handle with respect to said engagement portion of said shaft.

15. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a foot disposed on said engagement portion of said shaft.

16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said foot comprises rubber.

17. A stick assembly for use sporting and/or recreational use, said assembly comprising:

an elongated shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end; and

a handle coupled to said proximal end of said shaft for allowing a user to grip said assembly;

said shaft including an engagement portion for engaging a surface and an extension portion separating said engagement portion from said handle; and

wherein said shaft defines an inner passage for accommodating at least one weight.

18. An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said shaft defines an opening for allowing access to said inner passage to permit insertion and/or removal of said at least one weight.

19. An assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said opening is defined at said proximal end of said shaft.

20. An assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said handle provides closure of said opening.