Abstract: A ski pole disc is provided for attachment to a ski pole. The ski pole disc includes a body extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ski pole and having a hole in a central portion thereof to receive the ski pole. An electronic circuit is positioned in the body, and the body is configured to allow illumination generated by the electronic circuit to be visible through the body.

Abstract: Embodiments include a collapsible utility pole that snowboarders can carry easily in their pants pocket and can be quickly pulled out and extended to a completely rigid pole to push themselves over flat sections of downhill runs. The utility pole can also being useful when getting off the chair lift to move toward the slopes. Embodiments of the device have the capability of being converted into a small shovel or ice pick by detaching the snow basket and attaching a desired device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, including a shaft; a scoop, coupled to a distal end of the shaft, for collecting and holding a bolus of a compressible medium, the compressible medium retaining a post-compressed shape when operated from a proximal end of the shaft; and a former, coupled to the scoop and mating with the scoop, for molding and compressing the bolus into a generally spherical ball retained within the scoop. A method for forming a throwable ball, includes scooping a bolus of a compressible medium with a scoop coupled to a distal end of a shaft, the compressible medium retaining a post-compressed shape; and molding compressively the bolus into the scoop using a former coupled to the distal end, wherein the molding step creates the ball retained in the scoop when a user operates a proximal end of the shaft.

Abstract: Walking aid apparatus comprises handle portion and a shaft portion including a ground-contacting ferrule, the shaft portion comprising telescopically-mounted cylindrical spindle and sleeve elements and a spring means acting between seats of said spindle and sleeve elements resiliently to restrain relative axial sliding movement, in which the apparatus includes a sliding friction-reducing means between at least one end of the spring means and the associated seat, whereby the handle portion and the ferrule are axially rotatable to accommodate twisting movement as between the user and the ground in use. The sliding friction-reducing means results in controlled rotation as between the spring means and the spindle and/or elements with considerable benefits to the user in avoiding tortional loading to the twist, elbow and/or shoulder joints which can be especially painful to those who suffer from arthritis.

Abstract: A pole, for use in skiing or other sport, of the type that includes a grip handle at its upper end, wherein the handle includes a support extending from its side wall and adapted to cooperate with the thumb of a user, so as to constitute an additional mechanism for the axial transmission of forces, by the thumb, when the hand is closed on the handle of the pole.

Abstract: A telescoping, hand held pole includes telescoping pole segments releasably locked together by lock members. A lock release mechanism employed in the pole includes a manually engageable member which, when pushed, initiates unlocking of all of the lock members, allowing telescoping of all of the telescoping pole segments.

Abstract: The ski pole has normal strength when the pole is normally gripped at its handle and reduced strength when not gripped. The poles permanently deform when a predetermined level of excessive bending force is applied. The pole shaft is hollow with a short circumferential segment having reduced cross-section. When the handle is gripped, a plug slideable within the shaft spans the reduced cross-section and reinforces the pole at that region. When the handle is not gripped, the plug slides away from the reduced wall segment and reduces pole strength. A button on the handle connects to the plug by a rod, cable, hydraulics, pneumatics, etc. Alternatively, button actuation electrically drives a magnetic solenoid to move the plug. The weakened portion is replaceable so the pole is reusable.

Abstract: A ski pole strap entry device including a base member having a first side and an opposing second side, and a retainer disposed on the base member for engaging a portion of a ski pole strap. The first side includes an arcuate-shaped surface that is sized and configured to receive a portion of a user's hand, wrist, or both.

Abstract: A multi-functional walking stick that holds a variety of useful and safety-enhancing tools and devices in an efficient manner that eliminates the need to separately carry similar tools and devices on one's body when walking, hiking, traversing, climbing, and the like.

Abstract: A walking aid with supplementary features that are communicatively coupled to an integrated timepiece. The combination of the timepiece's intelligent circuitry and memory storage can increase the functionality of the supplementary features integrated therein. The timepiece can also record the use of the supplementary features for later use by the user.

Abstract: A ski stick includes an oblong shaft and a handle set on its upper end for the skiier's hand and a gripping part formed at its lower end. Below the handle the ski stick includes an elbow support. It is set in a sloping position on the upper part of the shaft and is set to receive the pressure of the skiier's forearm and to transmit it to the shaft.

Abstract: A sporting rod member which is strong against flexure, which is improved in tough and balance when it is flexed, and which can be made finer in thickness and lighter in weight. The sporting rod member uses a solid rod (8). The solid rod (8) is made up of a solid-state core member (10) and an outer layer (12) formed of fiber reinforced resin and disposed on the outside of the core member (10). In the solid rod (8), most of reinforcing fibers that are used in at least one of the solid-state core member and outer layer and that extend substantially in the axial direction thereof have a longitudinal elastic modulus of 40 ton/mm2 or higher.

Abstract: A pushing stick and a ring for the same. The lower end of a shaft comprises a stick ring comprising a fastening part and a projection-like ring frame attached to the fastening part. The bar-like ring frame is directed forwards with respect to the direction of travel and its front is provided with at least one spike. Said spike then resides at a distance from the central axis of the shaft, whereby a bending moment is directed to the ring frame on account of the push force. The ring frame is rigid in order to be able to transmit the bending moment being formed to the lower end of the shaft.

Abstract: An alpine sports pole comprising a tube (6), a handle (4) at the upper end (8) of the tube (6), and a tip (7) at the lower end (9) of the tube (6), the handle (4) having a first gripping zone (12), more particularly for positioning the phalanges of a skier's hand, and a second gripping zone (13), more particularly for positioning the palm of the skier's hand, the first gripping zone (12) defining the front (F) of the pole (1) and the second gripping zone (13) defining the rear (R) of the pole (1), the tube (6) having a substantially circular profiled section over an upper portion (17) located below the upper end (8) of the tube (6) and over a lower portion (18) located above the lower end (9) of the tube (6), and also a profiled section that changes progressively over a central portion (19) located between the upper portion (17) and the lower portion (18).

Abstract: The ski pole has normal strength when the pole is normally gripped at its handle and reduced strength when not gripped. The poles permanently deform when a predetermined level of excessive bending force is applied. The pole shaft is hollow with a short circumferential segment having reduced cross-section. When the handle is gripped, a plug slideable within the shaft spans the reduced cross-section and reinforces the pole at that region. When the handle is not gripped, the plug slides away from the reduced wall segment and reduces pole strength. A button on the handle connects to the plug by a rod, cable, hydraulics, pneumatics, etc. Alternatively, button actuation electrically drives a magnetic solenoid to move the plug. The weakened portion is replaceable so the pole is reusable.

Abstract: A stick such as a ski-stick, walking stick or same, provided with a handle comprising a gripping element and a length-adjustable pole in addition to a regulating device that contains a joint and is arranged outside the pole, whereby the gripping element can be positioned at an angle to the pole and a tubular part of the pole can be pushed through the joint into the gripping element of the pole when the regulating device is oriented in a rectilinear position. This ensures that the regulating device is substantially protected against the effects of the environment and the diameter of the pole is increased to a lesser degree. In order to achieve this, a regulating element is respectively formed by the handle on a lower extension piece of the gripping element and a cap that is firmly connected to the upper end of the pole, whereby one respective regulating element is pivotally and moveably accommodated in a recess of the other regulating element.

Abstract: A pole, for use in skiing or other sport, of the type that includes a grip handle at its upper end, wherein the handle includes a support point extending from its side wall and adapted to cooperate with the thumb of a user, so as to constitute an additional mechanism for the axial transmission of forces, by the thumb, when the hand is closed on the handle of the pole.

Abstract: A tubular body comprises: rolled layers of prepreg formed of reinforcing fibers impregnated with synthetic resin, wherein a ratio of impregnation of synthetic resin contained in a skew fiber body layer on which fibers are arranged in a skew direction and also a ratio of impregnation of synthetic resin contained in an axial fiber body layer on which fibers are arranged in an axial direction are in a range from a value approximately not lower than 10 wt % to a value lower than 25 wt %, and a thin layer, the ratio of impregnation of synthetic resin of which is high, is provided between the skew fiber body layer and the axial fiber body layer. The specific strength and specific rigidity of the tubular body are high, and the tubular body is less susceptible to separation and damage of the fibers and layers even if an impact force is given to it.

Abstract: A shock absorbing ski pole with an articulating hand grip that flexes to allow for angular motion between handle and shaft during normal use. The handle contains a spring mechanism that keeps the shaft angled away from the skier when no load is applied. When the skier plants their pole, his forward motion compresses the spring and the shaft flexes into a vertical position, in-line with the grip. The grip also contains a quick release mechanism that allows the ski glove to be quickly and directly attached and unattached to the grip. In addition, the basket of the ski pole is adjustable to allow for different ski conditions. The basket consists of two disks with petals that may be rotated relative to each other. By rotating the disks coincident to each other to reduce wind resistance. However, for soft snow conditions the disks may be rotated such that the petals are offset from each other creating a greater amount of contact with the snow.

Abstract: A racket includes a handle section, a head section, and a connecting section positioned between the handle section and the head section. One or more of the handle section, the head section, and the connecting section include a superelastic metal. The racket, other athletic devices and other devices containing superelastic components are capable of producing a spring force in response to a deflection. The superelastic components may improve the performance of rackets, athletic devices and other devices by increasing the contact duration between the active element of the device and objects against which the devices are configured to exert a force. The superelastic components also provide increased resistance to breakage or plastic deformation of the racket, athletic device or other devices, especially when exposed to frequent deflections. Superelastic components are able to decrease the weight of rackets, athletic devices, or other devices without sacrificing strength.

Abstract: An elongate metal body, for instance an aluminium rod, with a chosen cross-sectional form manufactured by extrusion. It is a first object of the invention to make an elongate metal body stiffer and stronger without this entailing an increase in weight. In respect of this objective the metal body according to the invention has the feature that the body has at least one cavity extending at least to a considerable degree in longitudinal direction, in which cavity is received a pre-manufactured elongate reinforcing rod, of which at least the ends are coupled to the body in force-transmitting manner.

Abstract: A cam buckle system has a lever arm which is pivotally connected to a base plate. The lever arm rotates a lock arm with cam teeth into abutment with a strap to lock the strap against movement. The strap also extends through a capture slot on the lever arm so that manual movement of the strap will open or lock the cam buckle as well as tension the strap. The cam buckle can be used for any tension member, but has particular utility to interconnect a pair of wrist straps of a ski pole grip. The straps and cam buckle form an adjustable length loop which can be tightened to form a heel support for the ski grip. A single point attachment at a top of the handle includes a vertical slot and spreader plate to vertically orient and open the pair of straps. This creates a wrist strap adjustment system that can be quickly manipulated using a single gloved hand.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a pole provided with a quick-releasing interchangeable lateral support extension, especially a walking, skiing, alpine skiing or other sports pole. Around the lower end of the pole (1) is injection molded a sleeve socket (2) from which a guide projection (3) and a locking projection (4) protrude. The lateral support extension sleeve (6, 8) includes a resilient tongue (12), below which there is a receiving aperture (14) for the locking projection (4). The sleeve also includes a guide groove (11) for receiving the guide projection (3). The lateral support extension (5) is easy to detach by turning the resilient tongue (12) outwards.

Abstract: An variable shaft, for example for a golf club. A hollow shaft has a cable or wire in the center, and means for varying the tension of the cable or wire. Increasing tension on the cable or wire places the shaft in compression and thereby reduces its bending stiffness. Preferably, the variation means are designed so that the wire tension may be quickly and easily varied by the user.

Abstract: A snow board is fitted with mounts to hold collapsible ski poles which allow the snow boarder to propel himself along level areas of snow, or to traverse uphill. When the user is going down-hill, the ski poles are collapsed into a compact configuration, and held securely in mounts affixed at the forward and rear areas of the snow board, each pole has a handle, a hollow upper shaft, and a nested segment. The segment has an upper end and a lower end, with the upper end slidingly inserted into the hollow upper shaft. Locking means allow the user to lock the nested segment within the upper shaft in either the compact, collapsed position, or in the extended position suitable of propelling the user along the snow. Locking is accomplished by means of an eccentric split washer mounted in proximity to the upper end of the nested segment, the washer containing a flat portion opposite the split, and rotating about an axis which is not concentric with the axis of the nested segment.

Abstract: A shock absorbing device for poles for skiing, for excursions, for walking, for crutches and similar articles has two structures (1) and (2) in general cylindrical, coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the structure to be dampened. One of the two structures is partially placed within the other with the possibility of sliding with respect to the same corresponding to the stresses which are applied on the structures during use. Between the two structures there is placed an elastic material capable of dampening the stresses in two directions. The device is characterized by the particular shape of the piece of elastic material.

Abstract: An athletic pole including a handle, a shaft, and a handle-to-shaft transition assembly, the transition assembly adapted for allowing the handle to articulate. The transition assembly includes an enlarged shaft base on the shaft, the shaft base including a handle-base-engaging surface. The transition assembly also includes an enlarged handle base on the handle. The handle base and the shaft base are biased together by a tension force into a mating, coaxially aligned position when any bending forces applied to the pole are insufficient to overcome the tension force, the handle being pivotable to an articulated position relative to the shaft upon the application of a predetermined bending force on the pole sufficient to overcome the tension force.

Abstract: A ski pole incorporating a intermittent flashing and high intensity lighting assemblies. The ski pole includes an elongate and substantially cylindrical shaft which terminates at a first end in a hand grip and at a second end in a spike engaging portion. First through sixth individual lighting elements are located at longitudinally spaced apart and circumferentially arrayed locations of the ski pole shaft. The lighting elements each include light emitting diodes which are connected in parallel to a microprocessor, the microprocessor being capable of instructing each of the lighting elements to illuminate successively for a selected period of time. A battery source is incorporated into the ski pole and is capable of powering the microprocessor and individual lighting elements. An on/off switch is located in proximity to the hand grip and is capable of activating/deactivating the microprocessor and lighting elements.

Abstract: In order to provide a member for a fishing or sport tool with light weight property and excellent exterior, the member is constructed by a body; a film formed directly on the body of the member or through an intermediate layer; and a single-color forming coating film formed on the outside of the film and capable of transmitting or reflecting only components in a wavelength region included in a specific range among incident light beams.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elongate metal body, for instance an aluminium rod with a chosen cross-sectional form manufactured by extrusion. It is a first object of the invention to make an elongate metal body stiffer and stronger without this entailing an increase in weight. In respect of this objective the metal body according to the invention has the feature that the body has at least one cavity extending at least to a considerable degree in longitudinal direction, in which cavity is received a pre-manufactured elongate reinforcing rod, of which at least the ends are coupled to the body in force-transmitting manner.

Abstract: An athletic pole including a handle, a s haft, and a handle-to-shaft transition assembly, the transition assembly being adapted for allowing the handle to articulate and for minimizing rotational motion of the handle relative to the shaft during pole operation. The transition assembly includes an enlarged shaft base on the shaft and an enlarged handle base on the handle. The shaft base includes a handle-base-engaging surface, a raised alignment post on the handle-base-engaging surface, axial splines formed with the alignment post, and radial splines extending along the handle-base-engaging surface of the shaft base. The handle base includes a shaft-base-engaging surface having spline grooves complementary to the radial splines and the axial splines of the shaft base.

Abstract: Catwalk Sticks are used by snowboarders for pulling themselves along flat terrain. The Catwalk Sticks include a handle, shaft and blade. The blade, which pivots on a bolt, is locked open when in use via a latch. The latch is secured to the shaft via a shaft clamp. The end of the latch that does not make contact with the blade, once pressed by a thumb, pivots the latch to release tension on the blade. This allows the user to swing the blade toward the shaft and secure the blade to the shaft via the blade clamp. Latch pressure on the blade is created by a spring, coiled around a pivot bolt that secures the latch to the shaft clamp.

Abstract: The specification discloses a sports pole including at least two flexible rods, the first of which is held in compression and the second of which is held in tension by the spatial arrangement of the two rods relative to one another and relative to the handle. The tension rod is slidably connected to the handle at one end and fixedly connected to the compression rod at the other end. When the user plants the pole, the movement of the tension rod within the handle allows the compression rod to deflect further, thereby acting as an energy absorbing member. As the user advances through the pole stroke, the energy stored in the pole during planting and pushing is released as the compression rod returns to its original position. This yields a forward force applied to assist the user in forward motion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel ski pole set whereby at least two ski poles form a ski carrier having pole disks which function as freely rotatable wheels for the device.

Abstract: A carving ski pole for assisting a skier/snowboarder in balancing on and carving through snow. The carving ski pole comprises a first shaft member detachably coupled to a second shaft member. A first arcuate gliding member is coupled to the free end of the first shaft member and a second arcuate gliding member is coupled to the free end of the second shaft member. The first and second shaft members each also have extendible arms for lengthening the overall length of the carving ski pole.

Abstract: The ski pole is made of a material having high resistance and being inherently fragile and it is provided, corresponding to the interior or exterior part with at least one structure which extends substantially along the entire length of the ski pole, the structure being made of material resistant to traction, ductile and having good resiliency. In particular this structure may be made of a string (2) which is held in tension between ends (3) and (4) of the ski pole.

Abstract: A method for decorating a composite fiber/resin ski pole, by applying a pre-printed transfer sheet of sublimation ink graphics in a conforming fit around the resin surface of the shaft, heating the transfer sheet to transfer the graphics from the sheet to the surface of the ski pole shaft, and subsequently removing the decorated shaft. In a preferred form, the transfer sheet is a sleeve having a pole-receiving slot whose inner surface contains the sublimation ink graphics and which conforms to the surface of the ski pole shaft when the shaft is inserted in the slot. In a most preferred form the sleeve defines multiple slots so that multiple poles can be inserted and simultaneously decorated by placing the sleeve in a suitable heating die.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for braking a person wearing wheeled skates such as in-line skates, in which an elongated shaft has an arm clamp attached at its upper end to grip the user's arm, and a wheel rotatably connected to its lower end. A hand grip and braking handle near the upper end of the shaft can be grasped by the user's hand to activate a wheel braking mechanism. In use the shaft is attached to the user's arm and extends forwardly and downwardly from the arm, so that when braking is to occur, the user triangulates forwardly onto the shaft which supports the user's weight against falling and provides braking.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pole shaft for a cross-country ski pole. Longitudinal and transverse fiber layers are used for providing a hollow shaft, whose cross section changes progressively downwards into a droplet shape and, below the mid-way point of a shaft, the length of a droplet shape in relation to its width increases while the cross-sectional area diminishes. By virtue of the droplet shape, the pole can be given more rigidity in skiing direction, whereby the bottom end of a pole can be made lighter while improving the aerodynamics of a pole.

Abstract: A locking device for mutually locking two adjacent sections of a telescoping tubular assembly. An axial extension (7) on one of the tubular sections (2) supports an expandable ring (10) received in the other tubular section (1). A nut (17) is non-rotatably slidable in the ring (10) and screwed onto a threaded portion of the axial extension (7). The ring (10) is itself non-rotatable relative to the first tubular section (1). Relative rotation between the tubular sections (1, 2) moves the nut (17) towards the second tubular section (2) and causes the ring (10) to be expanded by tapered portions (15, 16). The ring is deformed in several places to spread the frictional load.

Abstract: A device for reducing wind resistance or drag on a ski pole shaft comprising a wing foil device rotatably mounted over a significant portion of a cylindrical ski pole shaft for self-aligning rotation about the shaft axis. In one embodiment the wing foil device is an essentially hollow, thin-walled element having a rounded internal bearing surface at its leading edge which rotates on the surface of the shaft. An internal wall or rib structure maintains the primary internal bearing surface against the ski pole shaft and prevents lateral movement or rattle. In a preferred embodiment the top and bottom edges of the wing foil device are angled to be parallel with air flow when the poles are held at a predetermined angle while skiing.

Abstract: A composite ski pole is formed of fiber reinforced plastic laminates laid up around an inflatable bladder, and placed in a female mold. The bladder inflates to compact the laminates to substantially eliminate voids and form a smooth, hollow ski pole with a structurally strong and stiff skin. The molds may use compound shapes such as differing cross sections or longitudinal bends.

Abstract: An improved fiber/resin composite tapered ski pole shaft and a method for making it. The shaft is hollow and is formed from a fiber/resin composite in which the resin is a thermoplastic material capable of being reheated and reformed. A straight, non-tapered, preformed shaft is heated at the lower end until the thermoplastic resin becomes workable, and then pressure is applied to taper the lower end of the shaft toward the tip. The shaft is held at a constant length during the tapering step such that the displaced thermoplastic material increases the wall thickness of the lower end of the shaft uniformly toward the tip. The rate of taper can be such that the tip becomes solid.

Abstract: A lightweight, flexible ski pole which is virtually indestructible comprises a filament-reinforced, polymeric matrix composite shaft having a diameter of less than 0.5 inches and a tensile strength on the order of 140,000 psi or higher. The shaft is of three-layer construction, having a center layer whose filaments are diagonally offset at a bias angle for lateral bending strength. The shaft may be hollow or solid, and may be formed by either a pultrusion or table-rolling method.

Abstract: Vertically extendable ski-poles for snow skiers and conventionally having an enlarged topical handgrip are thereat herein attachably provided with a novel hand-protector structure including therewithin a hood member surroundably vertically flankably attached to the handgrip and extending rearwardly therefrom along a horizontal-axis toward a semi-rigidified hood rearward portion. Attached along the hood member adjacent the rear-end thereof is an elastic cuff member having a normal-condition away from the skier's wrist during favorable weather conditions and having a rearward-condition implantable against the skier's wrists during frigid weather conditions.

Abstract: A map holder is attached to a ski pole. The map is attached to the left side of the planar material of the holder using adhesive tabs. The map is attached to the right side of the planar material of the holder using a strap. The strap is free floating in its midregion relative the planar material. The map is attached to the free floating region of the strap which allows the map to roll up free floating on its own radius.

Abstract: A ski area trail map holder is provided for use with a ski pole. In one form, the holder comprises a tubular housing having a spring biased roller therein. The housing is attachable to the ski pole at any point along the pole. The ski area trail map is releasably secured to a map cover which is extendable from a retracted position in which it is rolled on the roller, to an extended position in which it is outside of the housing. The map cover comprises two transparent sheets, each of which is attached at one end to the roller and each of which has a free end located outside of the housing. A locking mechanism is provided for securing the map cover and/or map in an extended position. In a second embodiment, the ski pole itself acts as the outer housing for the map holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ski stick, which comprises a hollow reinforced-plastic profile (10). In the inventive ski stick, a profile wall (11) contains at least one longitudinally extending reinforcement element (13), which is at least partially embedded in the manufacturing step of the profile (10) in the wall structure (11) as an integral part thereof. The reinforcement element (13) may extend along the entire length of the reinforced-plastic profile or partially along its length, and its cross-sectional form may be circular or longitudinal or angular, e.g. triangular.

Abstract: A ski pole having a composite shaft. The composite shaft of the present invention includes a hollow first shaft of titanium alloy and a hollow second shaft of stiffening material. The first and second shafts are mounted to one another with an exterior surface of one of the shafts in surface-to-surface contact with an interior surface of the other of the shafts. The ski pole also includes a tip mounted to the lower end of the composite shaft, a basket mounted adjacent to said tip, and a hand grip mounted on said upper end of the composite shaft.

Abstract: A braking and stabilizing system for use by a roller blade skater comprises an elongated shaft adapted to be manually held by the skater and having a roller on at least one end thereof adapted to be biased against a skating surface and a brake mechanism controllable by the skater for braking rotation of the roller.