Collapsible ski pole system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a collapsible pole system. One embodiment of the present invention is directed at a collapsible ski pole with an improved locking system that minimizes operational failures. The collapsible ski pole includes at least two pole segments and a non-twisting locking mechanism disposed between each of the corresponding pole segments. The pole segments are cross-sectionally shaped to prevent rotation with respect to one another. Therefore, the non-twisting locking mechanisms cannot be misaligned or impeded as a result of the inadvertent twisting of the corresponding pole segments.

1 . A collapsible ski pole comprising: 
 at least two shaft segments, wherein the shaft segments are slidably engaged with one another such that they can be extended and collapsed along a particular distance with respect to one another;    at least one non-twisting releasable locking mechanism disposed at a slidable coupling point between the at least two shaft segments, wherein the at least one non-twisting releasable locking mechanism is configured to releasably lock the shaft segments relative to one another along the particular distance; and    wherein the at least two shaft segments are cross-sectionally shaped to prevent rotation with respect to one another.    
   
   
       2 . The collapsible ski pole of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two shaft segments includes three shaft segments and wherein a non-twisting releasable locking mechanism is disposed at a slidable coupling point between the first and second shaft segments and the second and third shaft segments.  
   
   
       3 . The collapsible ski pole of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two shaft segments are cross-sectionally shaped in a non-circular shape.  
   
   
       4 . The collapsible ski pole of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-twisting releasable locking mechanism utilizes a compression system to releasably lock the corresponding shaft segments with respect to one another.  
   
   
       5 . The collapsible ski pole of  claim 4 , wherein the compression system includes a camming action to create a sufficient compression force to lock the corresponding shaft segments with respect to one another.  
   
   
       6 . The collapsible ski pole of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-twisting releasable locking mechanism utilizes a pin system to releasably lock the corresponding shaft segments with respect to one another.  
   
   
       7 . The collapsible ski pole of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft segments are composed of carbon fiber.  
   
   
       8 . The collapsible ski pole of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two shaft segments are cross-sectionally shaped in a non-circular shape that includes a weak bending axis and a strong bending axis, and wherein the at least two shaft segments are oriented such that the weak axis is substantially normal to a direction of use.  
   
   
       9 . The collapsible ski pole of  claim 1 , wherein one of the at least two shaft segments is coupled to a handle and another of the at least two shaft segments is coupled to a spike.  
   
   
       10 . A collapsible ski pole comprising: 
 at least two overlapping shaft segments, wherein the shaft segments are slidably engaged in an overlapping manner with one another such that they can be extended and collapsed along a particular distance with respect to one another;    a non-twisting releasable locking mechanism disposed at a slidable coupling point between two of the at least two overlapping shaft segments, wherein the non-twisting releasable locking mechanism is configured to releasably lock the overlapping shaft segments relative to one another along the particular distance; and    wherein the at least two overlapping shaft segments are cross-sectionally shaped to prevent rotation with respect to one another.    
   
   
       11 . The collapsible ski pole of  claim 9 , wherein the at least two shaft segments includes three shaft segments and wherein a non-twisting releasable locking mechanism is disposed at a slidable coupling point between the first and second shaft segments and the second and third shaft segments.  
   
   
       12 . The collapsible ski pole of  claim 9 , wherein the at least two shaft segments are cross-sectionally shaped in a non-circular shape.  
   
   
       13 . The collapsible ski pole of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one non-twisting releasable locking mechanism utilizes a compression system to releasably lock the corresponding shaft segments with respect to one another.  
   
   
       14 . The collapsible ski pole of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one non-twisting releasable locking mechanism utilizes a pin system to releasably lock the corresponding shaft segments with respect to one another.  
   
   
       15 . The collapsible ski pole of  claim 9 , wherein the shaft segments are composed of carbon fiber.  
   
   
       16 . The collapsible ski pole of  claim 9 , wherein the at least two shaft segments are cross-sectionally shaped in a non-circular shape that includes a weak bending axis and a strong bending axis, and wherein the at least two shaft segments are oriented such that the weak axis is substantially normal to a direction of use.  
   
   
       17 . The collapsible ski pole of  claim 9 , wherein one of the at least two shaft segments is coupled to a handle and another of the at least two shaft segments is coupled to a spike.  
   
   
       18 . A method of releasably locking a collapsible pole into a particular length comprising the acts of: 
 extending at least two overlapping slidably engaged shaft segments away from one another, wherein the at least two shaft segments are cross-sectionally shaped to prevent rotation with respect to one another; and    engaging a non-twisting releasable locking mechanism between the at least two shaft segments to releasably secure the at least two shaft segments at a particular overlapping orientation with respect to one another.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the non-twisting releasable locking mechanism utilizes a compression system to releasably lock the corresponding shaft segments with respect to one another.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the non-twisting releasable locking mechanism utilizes a pin system to releasably lock the corresponding shaft segments with respect to one another.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the shaft segments are oriented such that their strong bending axis is aligned with a direction of use.