Multi-segment mid-weighted trekking pole

Abstract

Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for multi-segment mid-weighted trekking poles are provided. A typical three-segment trekking (or other) pole may have a light-weight middle segment replaced, for example, with one or more weighted segments designed to mate with the original upper and lower segments thereof.

1 . A multi-segment trekking pole, comprising:
 an upper segment comprising a first end and a second end, the second end comprising a female mating portion;   a handle portion coupled to the first end of the upper segment;   a bottom segment comprising a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a ground-engaging portion and the second end comprising a male mating portion;   a middle segment comprising a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a male mating portion operable to selectively couple to the second end of the upper segment, and the second end comprising a female mating portion operable to selectively couple to the second end of the bottom segment; and   at least one of the upper segment, the middle segment, and the bottom segment further comprising a plurality of removable weights comprising at least one annular-shaped container.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-segment trekking pole of  claim 1 , wherein the middle segment comprises a rod element, and the rod element is disposed through the center of the at least one annular-shaped container and the at least one annular-shaped container is retained on the middle segment by one or more retaining portions. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-segment trekking pole of  claim 2 , wherein the middle segment further comprises a compressible spacer element disposed between the at least one annular-shaped container and the one or more retaining portions. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-segment trekking pole of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one annular-shaped container defines a passage that permits at least one of water, glycol, sand, concrete, and rocks to be added to the container. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-segment trekking pole of  claim 1 , wherein the middle segment comprises a first middle segment and a second middle segment, the first and second middle segments being coupled at a mating joint, wherein the first middle segment comprises the first end of the middle segment and the second middle segment comprises the second end of the middle segment. 
     
     
         6 . A multi-segment mid-weighted trekking pole, comprising:
 an upper hollow tube segment defining an upper interior passage and comprising a first end and a second end, the second end comprising a female mating portion;   a handle portion coupled to the first end of the upper hollow tube segment;   a lower-middle hollow tube segment defining a middle interior passage and comprising a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a female mating portion and the second end comprising a female mating portion;   a lower rod segment comprising a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a ground-engaging portion and the second end comprising a male mating portion, the second end of the lower rod segment being disposed within the middle interior passage and being removably secured to the lower-middle hollow tube segment at the second end thereof;   a weighted upper-middle rod segment comprising a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a male mating portion and the second end comprising a male mating portion, the first end of the weighted upper-middle rod segment being disposed within the middle interior passage and being removably secured to the lower-middle hollow tube segment at the first end thereof, and the second end of the weighted upper-middle rod segment being disposed within the upper interior passage and being removably secured to the upper hollow tube segment at the second end thereof; and   a removable annular-shaped weight disposed on the weighted upper-middle rod segment between the upper hollow tube segment and the lower-middle hollow tube segment, wherein the removable annular-shaped weight comprises a container.   
     
     
         7 . The multi-segment mid-weighted trekking pole of  claim 6 , wherein the removable annular-shaped container defines a passage that permits at least one of water, glycol, sand, concrete, and rocks to be added to the container. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-segment mid-weighted trekking pole of  claim 7 , wherein the removable annular-shaped container comprises at least one of a valve, a nipple, and a spout. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-segment mid-weighted trekking pole of  claim 6 , wherein the removable annular-shaped container weighs two and one-half pounds. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-segment mid-weighted trekking pole of  claim 6 , wherein the removable annular-shaped container weighs between three and five pounds. 
     
     
         11 . The multi-segment mid-weighted trekking pole of  claim 6 , wherein the removable annular-shaped container comprises a plurality of removable annular-shaped containers that each weighs two and one-half pounds. 
     
     
         12 . The multi-segment mid-weighted trekking pole of  claim 6 , wherein the removable annular-shaped container comprises a plurality of removable annular-shaped containers that each weighs between three and five pounds. 
     
     
         13 . The multi-segment mid-weighted trekking pole of  claim 6 , wherein the weighted upper-middle rod segment weighs two and one-half pounds. 
     
     
         14 . The multi-segment mid-weighted trekking pole of  claim 6 , wherein the weighted upper-middle rod segment weighs between two and one half and twelve and one half pounds. 
     
     
         15 . The multi-segment trekking pole of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one annular-shaped container comprises at least one of a valve, a nipple, and a spout.