Ski pole grip

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to Class 280, subclasses 11.37,11.38 and 11.39.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The prior art includes the following prior U.S. Pat. Nos.: 2,208,365; 2,347,789; 2,627,421; 3,113,786; 3,378,272.

Some of the differences or advantages that the present invention has over these prior patents is as follows:

The ski pole grip provides increased support for the hand and wrist as compared to the previous devices, and wherein the present invention prevents the pole from being accidentally dropped from the hand, and wherein increased safety is assured, the ski pole grip also having an improved appearance and adapted to be used with any pole grip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a ski pole grip which includes a handle that is connected to the end of the ski pole, there being an adjustable strap having a portion thereof connected to the handle, the strap having an adapter connected thereto which is arranged in engagement with the ski pole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective showing the ski pole and grip in use.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged end elevational view of the ski pole grip of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 ofFIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates the ski pole grip of the present invention which comprises a handle 11 that has a recess 13 therein for snugly receiving an end portion of a ski pole 12, FIG, 3. As shown in the drawings, the handle 11 has a plurality of finger-engaging recessed portions 14 on one edge thereof, and the recessed portions 14 may be separated by ridges 15. The opposite longitudinal edge of the handle 11 may have a slightly rounded or slightly enlarged portion 16, and this assures that the handle 11 can be firmly and comfortably gripped by the user and, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper and lower ends of the handle 11 may be slightly enlarged as at 17 and 18. There is provided in the upper end portion of the handle Ila slot or cutout 19 which is provided for a purpose to be later described. The numeral 20 indicates a strap that includes a first portion 21 which has an aperture 22 therein, and the portion 21 of the strap 20 is positioned in or seated in the slot 19, as shown in the drawings. There is provided in the end of the handle 11 a countersunk opening 23 and the numeral 24 indicates a securing element or screw which extends through the countersunk opening 23 and through the aperture 22 and into engagement with the handle 11 as at 25. The strap 20 further includes a second portion 26 which is adjustably connected to the first portion 21 by means of a buckle 27. The portion 26 of the strap 20 has a loop 28 thereon. The numeral 29 indicates an adapter made of a suitable material such as a suitable plastic substance, and the adapter 29 has an aperture or opening 30 therein for the projection therethrough of the ski pole 12. The adapter 39 further includes a slit or cutout 31 which has the loop 28 of the strap 30 arranged in engagement therewith.

FIG. 1 shows the position of the parts when the ski pole grip of the present invention is being used, and it will be noted that the strap 20 surrounds or engages a portion of the hand 33, instead of the strap engaging the wrist 34 as do conventional ski pole grips. Also, in FIG. 1, the numeral 35 indicates the fingers of the hand 33 and the fingers 35 are adapted to snugly and comfortably grip the recessed portions 15 of the handle 11.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided an improved ski pole grip, and in use with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, the strap 20 is adapted to engage or surround the portion of the user’s hand 33, as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, the strap does not engage the wrist such as the wrist 34 as do conventional ski pole grips. In addition, the present invention includes the adjustable strap 20, that is, the strap 20 includes the first portion 21 as well as the second portion 26, and these portions are adjustably connected together as by means of the buckle 27 so as to permit the strap to be adjusted to the desired length or size. Further, the strap 20 is provided with the loop portion 28 which has an adapter 29 connected thereto and the adapter 29 has an opening 30 therein through which extends a portion of the ski pole 12. When the parts are properly assembled as shown in the drawings, the adapter 29 is positioned just below the lower edge 18 of the handle 11. The handle 11 has the recess 13 therein for snugly receiving an end portion of the ski pole 12, as shown in the drawings. In addition, the strap 21 has the aperture 22 through which extends the securing element or screw 24. The handle 15 includes the recessed portions 14 as well as the side portion 16, and this construction assures that the handle 11 can be comfortably and firmly gripped in the hand 33 of the user.

It will therefore be seen that, in accordance with the present invention, there has been provided a ski pole grip which has important advantages over those now in use. For example, the ski pole grip of the present invention provides greater support to the hand than previous grips. Further, the present invention prevents the pole from becoming accidentally dropped from the hand which frequently occurs during skiing and especially racing when a slalom pole is contacted with the hand or when the basket tangles with a bow, twig, or slalom pole. In addition, the ski pole of the present invention is safer to use, because, for example, if the pole hangs up on a tree, the hand will be pulled out as the thumb and larger part of the hand do not go through the loop as it does in regular or conventional pole straps. Also, the ski pole grip of the present invention has an improved appearance and is neater looking.

In the prior ski pole grips the strap wraps around the user’s wrist, while with the present invention the grip is adapted to be used with any pole grip. Also, the strap attaches at the top similar to the regular or conventional grip and at the bottom under the grip or handle there is provided an adapter that fits on the pole and a buckle or adjusting mechanism is provided so that the hand fits into the space between the strap and handle and the strap is cinched up over the forepart of the hand. This is important or advantageous because it eliminates the necessity of requiring the entire hand including the thumb to go through and come down and rest against the wrist as in regular or conventional grips.