Adjustable length ski pole

Abstract

An improved adjustable length ski pole which can be quickly and securely adjusted. A preferred embodiment of the pole includes two telescoping pole sections. The upper pole section includes a tree element having a series of spaced slots. The lower pole section includes a locking unit having a resiliently biased engagement member that locks into engagement with on of the spaced slots. The user simply plants the pole into a surface, twists the upper handle to rotate the upper pole section relative to the lower pole section causing the engagement member to disengage from the slot and slides the upper pole section relative to the lower pole section to the desired height. The user then allows the upper pole section to rotate back to it's original position causing the engagement member to lock back into the nearest slot.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An adjustable length ski pole, said adjustable length ski pole comprising: 
 a first pole section;    a second pole section axially slidable relative to said first pole section;    a radially extending member affixed to said first pole section;    a plurality of slots within said second pole section;    a resilient mechanism forcing said radially extending member into a selected one of said plurality of slots to prevent said sliding movement of said second pole section relative to said first pole section wherein rotation of said first pole section relative to said second pole section releases the force from said resilient mechanism against said radially extending member to move said radially extending member from said selected one of said plurality of slots to allow sliding movement of said second pole section relative to said first pole section for adjustment in the length of said ski pole.    
     
     
         2 . The adjustable length ski pole of  claim 1  wherein said resilient mechanism for forcing said radially extending member into a selected one of said plurality of slots includes: 
 a spring member.  
 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable length ski pole of  claim 2  wherein said resilient mechanism includes: 
 a torsional spring.  
 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable length ski pole of  claim 1  wherein said resilient mechanism includes: 
 an elastomer member  
 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable length ski pole of  claim 1  wherein said radially extending member includes: 
 a first member having a central axially extending aperture;  
 a second member engaged in said centrally axially extending aperture;  
 an engagement member extending radially from second member for engagement in one of said slots; and  
 a spring biasing said second member relative to said first member.  
 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable length ski pole of  claim 1  wherein said resilient mechanism forcing said radially extending member into a selected on of said plurality of slots includes: 
 an elastomer cylinder affixed on one end to said first pole section; and  
 said radially extending member is affixed to a second end of said elastomer cylinder.  
 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable length ski pole of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of slots include: 
 curved slots to minimize accidental dislodgment of said radially extending member from said slots.  
 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable length ski pole of  claim 1  wherein said adjustable length ski pole further comprises: 
 an end cap for preventing accidental separation of said first pole section from said second pole section.  
 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable length ski pole of  claim 1  wherein said adjustable ski pole further includes: 
 a cam surface formed near the lowermost of said slots on said second pole section wherein an additional force is required to move said radially extending member past said cam surface to prevent accidental separation of said first pole section from said second pole section.  
 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable length ski pole of  claim 1  wherein said adjustable length ski pole further comprises: 
 an axial slot formed in said first pole section;  
 an elastomer cylinder;  
 a first radially extending member extending radially from one end of said elastomer cylinder and through said axial slot to secure said elastomer cylinder relative to said first pole section;  
 a second radially extending member extending radially from a second end of said elastomer cylinder; and  
 means securing said second pin to said second pole section wherein shocks are absorbed by movement of said elastomer cylinder relative to said first pole section.  
 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable length ski pole of  claim 10  wherein said means for absorbing shock further include: 
 additional elastomer cylinders for additional shock absorption.  
 
     
     
         12 . A method of adjusting the length of an adjustable length ski pole having two telescoping pole sections secured together by a resilient force locking an engagement member secured to a first one of the pole sections into slots formed in the second of the pole sections, said method comprising the steps of: 
 rotating said first pole section relative to said pole section to release said resilient force to unlock said engagement member from a slot formed in said second pole section;    axially moving said first pole section relative to said second pole section to select the desired length of said ski pole; and    releasing said first pole section relative to said second pole section to allow said resilient force to lock said engagement member into the nearest adjacent slot formed in said second pole section.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said method of adjusting the length of an adjustable length ski pole further includes the steps of: 
 preventing the accidental separation of said first pole section relative to said second pole section by providing an end cap; and  
 allowing the separation of said first pole section relative to said second pole section by removing said end cap.  
 
     
     
         14 . A process of creating an adjustable length ski pole, said process comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first pole section having radially extending member affixed thereto;    providing a second pole section axially slidable relative to said first pole section;    providing a plurality of spaced slots within said second pole section;    providing means for resiliently forcing said radially extending member into a selected one of said spaced slots to lock said first pole section from axial movement relative to said second pole section at a selected length; and    providing means for releasing said resilient force from said means for resiliently forcing said radially extending member into a selected one of said spaced slots to allow axial movement of said first pole section relative to said second pole section to adjust the length of said ski pole.    
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 14  wherein said step of providing means for resiliently forcing said radially extending member into a selected one of said spaced slots to lock said first pole section from axial movement relative to said second pole section at a selected length includes a step for: 
 providing a spring member to resiliently force said radially extending member into one of said spaced slots.  
 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 14  wherein said step of providing means for resiliently forcing said radially extending member into a selected one of said spaced slots to lock said first pole section from axial movement relative to said second pole section at a selected length includes a step for: 
 providing an elastomer member to resiliently force said radially extending member into one of said spaced slots.  
 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 15  wherein said process further includes the steps of: 
 providing an end cap to prevent accidental disengagement of said first pole section from said second pole section unless an additional force is provided to move said pin past said cam surface.