Rowing oar handle

Abstract

A rowing oar handle comprising a first portion and a second portion, in which the first portion and the second portion are axially rotatable in relation to one another, and in which in use the point of rotation is located between a user's hands.

1 . A rowing oar handle comprising a first portion and a second portion, in which the first portion and the second portion are axially rotatable in relation to one another, and in which in use the point of rotation Is located between a user's hands.  
   
   
       2 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in  claim 1  in which the rowing oar handle has an outer end at which it terminates, and an inner end which in use is adjacent an oar body, in which the first portion is located outside the second portion, in which the first portion is provided with a flange at its inner end, and in which the second portion is provided with a flange at its outer end.  
   
   
       3 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in  claim 2  in which a spigot member is centrally axially mounted to the second member in a rotating manner, in which the first portion is provided with an axially extending socket, and in which an outer end of the spigot member is non-rotatably mounted in said socket.  
   
   
       4 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in  claim 3  in which the spigot member comprises a cylindrical body provided with a flange at its inner end, in which the spigot member is mounted to the second member by block means, in which the block means is provided with a central aperture comprising a first section and a second section, in which the second section has a greater diameter than the first section and is inside the first section, in which the flange of the spigot member is disposed in the second section and the body of the spigot member passes through the first section, and in which the block means is non-rotatably fixed to the second portion.  
   
   
       5 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the first portion and the second portion are removable from one another.  
   
   
       6 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in  claim 5  in which the block means is mounted to the second portion by means of a number of screws.  
   
   
       7 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in  claim 6  in which said number of screws are located on a circle which is co-axial with the flange of the second portion, in which the flange of the first portion is provided with an aperture which is also positioned on said circle, such that the aperture can be axially aligned with each screw in use thereby to allow the screws to be accessed to assemble or dismantle the first and second portions of the handle.  
   
   
       8 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in  claim 7  In which the block means comprises a first part and a second part, in which the first part is provided with an aperture comprising the first section of said central aperture, in which the second part is provided with an aperture comprising the second section of said central aperture, in which the first part and the second part are axially aligned and fixed together with said screws.  
   
   
       9 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in  claim 8  in which a bearing surface is provided on an outermost facing surface of the block means and/or on an inner facing surface of the flange of the first portion.  
   
   
       10 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in  claim 8  or  9  in which a bearing surface is provided on an inner facing surface of the flange of the spigot member and/or on an outermost facing surface of the second portion adjacent to the flange of the spigot member.  
   
   
       11 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in  claim 8 ,  9  or  10  in which a bearing surface is provided on an outermost facing surface of the flange of the spigot member and/or on an inner facing surface of the second section of the central aperture of the block means.  
   
   
       12 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in any of  claims 8  to  11  in which bearing surfaces are provided on inner radial surfaces of the central aperture and on outer radial surfaces of the spigot member which contact one another in use.  
   
   
       13 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the rowing oar handle is dimensioned such that in use it is of suitable size for an intended user.  
   
   
       14 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which when the first portion and the second portion of the handle are axially aligned when orientated for a stroke, the first portion and the second portion are provided with an axial cross-sectional shape with a greater horizontal extent than vertical extent, and in which an underside of said axial cross-sectional shape is provided with an abutment.  
   
   
       15 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which when the handle is orientated for a stroke it has an axial cross-sectional shape with a greater horizontal extent than vertical extent.  
   
   
       16 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in  claim 15  in which the handle is provided with a substantially oval axial cross-sectional shape.  
   
   
       17 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in  claim 16  in which an underside of the axial cross-sectional shape is provided with an abutment.  
   
   
       18 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in  claim 17  in which the axial cross-sectional shape comprises a first portion proximal to the user in an in use position, a central portion, and a second portion distal to the user in an in use position, in which the first portion is substantially shaped as more than half an oval, in which the second portion is substantially shaped as less than half an oval, in which a centre of the oval of which the second portion forms a part is vertically lower than a centre of the oval of which the first portion forms a part, in which an upper surface of the central portion follows a smooth line of curvature from the first portion to the second portion, and in which a lower surface of the central portion follows a substantially straight line from the first portion to the second portion.  
   
   
       19 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the handle tapers towards an outer end.  
   
   
       20 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the handle is made from wood.  
   
   
       21 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the handle is formed as an integral part of an oar.  
   
   
       22 . A rowing oar handle as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  20  in which the handle is formed as a removable handle which is attachable and removable from an oar with which it is used.  
   
   
       23 . A rowing oar handle substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.