Telescoping adjustable pole

Abstract

An adjustable ski pole having a clamping mechanism for locking the pole in a desirable position. An outer shaft telescopically receives an inner shaft which is engaged by a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism includes a housing having a first portion attached to the outer shaft and a split portion defining a longitudinal gap. A circumferential slot separates the split portion from the first portion along about half the circumference. The split portion has a first lug on one side of the gap and a second lug on the other side. A lever is pivotably connected to the first lug. A link is pivotably connected to the lever to define an off-center linkage. A pivot rod engages the second lug, and a threaded connector adjustably connects the link to the rod. When the lever is pivoted from the release position to the clamping position, the gap width is reduced.

1 . A telescoping adjustable ski pole, comprising:
 an outer shaft having an open end;   an inner shaft having a first end slidably disposed in the open end of the outer shaft; and   a releasable clamping mechanism comprising:
 a housing having a tubular portion attached to the open end of the outer shaft and a split portion extending axially from the tubular portion, the split portion defining a longitudinal gap having a gap width, the split portion further comprising a first lug on a first side of the gap, and a second lug on an opposite side of the gap; 
 a lever having a first end pivotably connected to the first lug at a first pivot, a second end defining a thumb panel having a concave inner surface, and an intermediate aperture disposed between the first end and the thumb panel and oriented substantially parallel to the first pivot, the lever being pivotable about the first pivot between a clamping position and a release position; 
 a link having a first end pivotably connected to the lever intermediate aperture at a second pivot and a base defining a base aperture therethrough; 
 a pivot rod pivotably disposed through the second lug, the pivot rod having an intermediate threaded aperture; and 
 a threaded connector extending through the base aperture and threadably engaging the pivot rod intermediate aperture, wherein
 pivoting the lever from the release position to the clamping position reduces a width of the gap, and wherein 
 the first and second pivots define an off-center linkage such that the lever is retained in the clamping position. 
 
   
   
   
       2 . The telescoping adjustable ski pole of  claim 1 , wherein the split portion of the housing is separated from the tubular portion by a circumferential gap around at least half of the circumference of the housing. 
   
   
       3 . The telescoping adjustable ski pole of  claim 1 , wherein the split portion of the housing defines a reduced thickness panel portion that supports the first lug. 
   
   
       4 . The telescoping adjustable ski pole of  claim 1 , wherein the split portion of the housing is recessed from the tubular portion of the housing. 
   
   
       5 . The telescoping adjustable ski pole of  claim 1 , wherein the gap width in the clamping position is adjustable by threadably adjusting the threaded connector in the pivot rod intermediate aperture. 
   
   
       6 . The telescoping adjustable ski pole of  claim 1 , wherein the split portion of the housing further comprises at least one circumferential stiffening ridge extending part way around the split portion. 
   
   
       7 . The telescoping adjustable ski pole of  claim 1 , wherein the thumb panel concave inner surface conforms to a convex outer surface of the split portion of the housing. 
   
   
       8 . The telescoping adjustable ski pole of  claim 1 , wherein the thumb panel of the lever comprises a ledge portion that overhangs the split portion of the housing. 
   
   
       9 . The telescoping adjustable ski pole of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shaft and the inner shaft are made of composite materials. 
   
   
       10 . The telescoping adjustable ski pole of  claim 9 , wherein the clamping mechanism is formed from a semi-rigid polymer. 
   
   
       11 . The telescoping adjustable ski pole of  claim 10 , wherein the tubular portion of the housing is fixedly attached to the outer shaft with an adhesive. 
   
   
       12 . The telescoping adjustable ski pole of  claim 1 , wherein the ski pole is a trekking pole. 
   
   
       13 . An adjustable ski pole comprising:
 a tubular outer shaft having a first diameter;   a tubular inner shaft having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, wherein the inner shaft slidably engages the outer shaft; and   a clamping mechanism comprising:
 a housing having a collar portion attached to the outer shaft and a tubular split portion extending away from the collar portion and slidably engaging the inner shaft, the tubular split portion having a longitudinal gap, a first connecting member on a first side of the gap and a second connecting member on a second side of the gap, and further wherein an upper section of the split portion is separated from the collar portion with a circumferential slot; 
 a lever having a base portion pivotably attached to the first connecting member, a curved panel disposed away from the base portion, and an intermediate aperture between the base portion and the panel; and 
 a linking element having a first end pivotably attached to the lever intermediate aperture, and a second end pivotably attached to the second connecting member; 
   wherein the lever is movable between an engaged position wherein the upper section of the split portion clampingly engages the inner shaft, and a released position wherein the split portion does not clampingly engage the inner shaft.   
   
   
       14 . The adjustable ski pole of  claim 13 , wherein the circumferential slot extends around at least half of the circumference of the collar portion. 
   
   
       15 . The adjustable ski pole of  claim 13 , wherein the split portion of the housing defines a reduced thickness panel portion that supports the first connecting member. 
   
   
       16 . The adjustable ski pole of  claim 13 , wherein the split portion is recessed from the collar portion. 
   
   
       17 . The adjustable ski pole of  claim 13 , wherein the second end of the linking element includes a through hole and is pivotably attached to the second connecting member with a threaded connector that extends through the through hole and threadably engages a threaded aperture in a pivot rod disposed through the second connecting member. 
   
   
       18 . The adjustable ski pole of  claim 17 , wherein a width of the longitudinal gap in the engaged position is adjustable by threadably adjusting the threaded connector in the pivot rod threaded aperture. 
   
   
       19 . The adjustable ski pole of  claim 13 , wherein the split portion further comprises at least one circumferential stiffening ridge extending part way around the split portion. 
   
   
       20 . The adjustable ski pole of  claim 13 , wherein the curved panel of the lever comprises a concave inner surface that conforms to a convex outer surface of the split portion. 
   
   
       21 . The adjustable ski pole of  claim 20 , wherein the curved panel of the lever further comprises a ledge portion that overhangs the split portion. 
   
   
       22 . The adjustable ski pole of  claim 13 , wherein the tubular outer shaft and the tubular inner shaft are made of composite materials. 
   
   
       23 . The adjustable ski pole of  claim 13 , wherein the clamping mechanism is formed from a semi-rigid polymer. 
   
   
       24 . The adjustable ski pole of  claim 13 , wherein the collar portion is fixedly attached to the tubular outer shaft. 
   
   
       25 . The adjustable ski pole of  claim 13 , wherein the ski pole is a trekking pole.