Pole Attachment

Abstract

The present invention consists of a bar with a mechanism at one end that serves a dual purpose: it allows the user to attach the bar in a non-permanent fashion to a ski pole shaft and it serves as a hinge so that the bar may be fixed in a position either parallel or transverse to the ski pole shaft. In the transverse position the device, when integrated with a ski pole, may be used by an experienced skier to either tow uphill or to control the speed of inexperienced skiers.

1 . A ski pole tow bar assembly, comprising:
 a. ski pole;   b. a tow bar having a distal end and a proximal end;   c. a means for pivotally attaching said proximal end of said tow bar to said ski pole; and,   d. a means for holding said tow bar in a locked position when rotated into a parallel position with said ski pole.   
   
   
       2 . The ski pole tow bar, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for pivotally attaching said proximal end of said tow bar is a hinge-clamp body attached to said proximal end of said tow bar, said body includes a cavity that extends transversely through said body, said cavity capable of receiving a section of said ski pole extending transversely over said body, said cavity being aligned on said body so that said tow bar is perpendicular to a section of a ski pole extending through said cavity enabling said body to rotate approximately 90 degrees on a ski pole extending through said cavity. 
   
   
       3 . The ski pole tow bar, as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said means for holding said tow bar in a locked position parallel to said ski pole is a latch body attached to said distal end of said bar, said latch body including a pole slot capable of receiving a ski pole when said hinge-clamp body is attached to a ski pole and rotated so that said bar is aligned parallel to the ski pole. 
   
   
       4 . The ski pole tow bar, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for pivotally attaching said proximal end of said tow bar is a knuckle hinge-clamp comprising two leaves pivotally connected together when closed, surrounding said ski pole, said two leaves each including a pin that are engaged by a strap to hold said leaves in a closed position around said ski pole. 
   
   
       5 . The ski pole tow bar, as recited in  claim 4 , wherein each said leaf includes an elongated, quarter circular void, when said leaves are closed around said ski pole, said ski pole fits inside said voids. 
   
   
       6 . The ski pole tow bar, as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said means for holding said tow bar in a locked position parallel to said ski pole is a latch body attached to said distal end of said bar, said latch body including a pole slot capable of receiving a ski pole when said knuckle hinge-clamp body is attached to a ski pole and rotated so that said bar is aligned parallel to said ski pole. 
   
   
       7 . The ski pole tow bar, as recited in  claim 6 , wherein each said leaf includes an elongated, quarter circular void, when said leaves are closed around said ski pole, said ski pole fits inside said voids. 
   
   
       8 . The ski pole tow bar assembly, comprising:
 a. a bar having a proximal end and a distal end;   b. a hinge-clamp body attached to said proximal end of said bar, said body includes a cavity that extends transversely through said body, said cavity capable of receiving a section of a ski pole extending transversely over said body, said cavity being aligned on said body so that said bar is perpendicular to a section of a ski pole extending through said cavity enabling said body to rotate approximately 90 degrees on a ski pole extending through said cavity;   c. a lock cap selectively attached to said cavity to hold said body on a ski pole; and,   d. a latch body attached to said distal end of said bar, said latch body including a pole slot capable of receiving a ski pole when said hinge-clamp body is attached to a ski pole and rotated so that said bar is aligned parallel to the ski pole.   
   
   
       9 . The ski pole tow bar, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said bar is approximately 18 inches in length. 
   
   
       10 . The ski pole tow bar, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said hinge-clamp body is made of plastic. 
   
   
       11 . The ski pole tow bar, as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said hinge-clamp body is made of plastic. 
   
   
       12 . The ski pole tow bar, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said latch body is made of plastic. 
   
   
       13 . The ski pole tow bar, as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said latch body is made of plastic. 
   
   
       14 . The ski pole tow bar, as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said latch body is made of plastic. 
   
   
       15 . The ski pole tow bar, as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said pole slot is approximately ⅝ inches in diameter. 
   
   
       16 . The ski pole tow bar, as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said bar is approximately 18 inches in length. 
   
   
       17 . The ski pole tow bar, as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said bar is made of aluminum. 
   
   
       18 . A ski pole tow bar assembly, comprising:
 a. a bar having a proximal end and a distal end;   b. mean for pivotally attaching said bar to a ski pole, said means for pivotally said bar to a ski pole including means for enabling said bar to pivot approximately 90 degrees between a perpendicularly aligned position and a parallel position on a ski pole; and,   c. latch body attached to said distal end of said bar, said latch body including a pole slot capable of receiving a ski pole when said bar is rotated in a position parallel to the ski pole.