TREKKING POLE TIP COVER

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of outdoor equipment, and more particularly to a trekking pole tip cover for a walking or trekking pole.

BACKGROUND

Trekking poles are an essential tool for hiking, trekking, and walking activities. These poles are typically equipped with relatively sharp metallic tips at their lower ends, which provide traction on a variety of terrains such as ice or snow, rocky paths, or muddy trails. However, such sharp tips can suffer significant wear and tear due to continuous contact with harsh ground surfaces and may erode over time, or potentially cause inadvertent damage to other equipment or personal injury when being transported or stored.

Tip covers are often used for trekking poles on various surfaces where a sharp pole tip will wear quickly, or on delicate terrain like mossy trails. They also serve to protect the tip from wear and tear during transport. While existing tip covers may have tread patterns for improved grip, they may not be suitable for some surfaces and may have limited traction on uneven ground.

SUMMARY

The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support a trekking pole tip cover for a walking or trekking pole. The described apparatuses include a tip for an ambulatory stability pole having an anterior side and a posterior side. The tip may include a single base member extending for a first dimension along a first direction that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ambulatory stability pole, and a plurality of extension members extending from the single base member along the first direction, where the plurality of extension members terminate in contact regions, where the contact regions of the plurality of extension members define a first plane that is inclined relative to a second plane that is orthogonal to the first direction. The plurality of extension members may include one or more first extension members that are located proximate to the rear side of the tip, the one or more first extension members having a second dimension along the first direction, and one or more second extension members that are located proximate to the front side of the tip, the one or more second extension members having a third dimension along the first direction, wherein the second dimension is greater than the third dimension.

The described apparatuses include a tip for an ambulatory stability pole that includes a single base member extending for a first dimension along a first direction that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ambulatory stability pole, and a plurality of extension members extending from the single base member along the first direction and being separated from each other by slits, the plurality of extension members terminating in contact regions. The tip may include a cavity between the plurality of extension members that extends to a depth that is deeper than each of the slits separating the plurality of extension members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D show views of a trekking pole tip cover, in accordance with various aspects disclosed herein.

FIGS. 2A-2C show example contact region patterns for a trekking pole tip cover, in accordance with various aspects disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a trekking pole tip cover, in accordance with various aspects disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Trekking poles, a vital accessory in numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, walking, or mountaineering, typically include metallic (e.g., carbide) tips at their lower ends for traction and stability. However, these sharp and pointed tips can potentially lead to abrasion, potential damage to other equipment, or even injury when not in active use, while themselves suffering from significant wear and tear over time.

Tip covers are often used for trekking poles on various surfaces where a sharp pole tip will wear quickly, or on delicate terrain like mossy trails. They also serve to protect the tip from wear and tear during transport. While existing tip covers may have tread patterns for improved grip, they may not be suitable for some surfaces and may have limited traction on uneven ground, which may result in the pole tip sliding or providing an unstable feel to the user.

According to various aspects described herein, a trekking pole tip cover is described having improved characteristics on various surfaces and an improved user feel. Features of the described tip cover include a ground-engaging surface with multiple contact points, separated by slits to allow for flexibility and adaptability to a range of surface types. According to various aspects, a central cavity in the arrangement of the contact points serves to enhance the tip cover's traction capabilities. The described tip cover may increase traction on diverse terrain, reducing the risk of slippage and subsequently increasing the safety and confidence of the user.

Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of a trekking pole tip cover. Aspects of the disclosure are then described with reference to example trekking pole tip covers. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams that relate to a trekking pole tip cover. Although described with reference to trekking poles, the tip covers discussed herein may be applicable to other ambulatory aids such as walkers, canes, and the like.

This description provides examples, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the principles described herein. Rather, the description herein provides those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing various aspects of the principles described herein. As can be understood by one skilled in the art, various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the application.

It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that one or more aspects of the disclosure may be implemented to additionally or alternatively solve other problems than those described herein. Furthermore, aspects of the disclosure may provide technical improvements to “conventional” systems, processes, or apparatuses as described herein. However, the description and appended drawings only include example technical improvements resulting from implementing aspects of the disclosure, and accordingly do not represent all of the technical improvements provided within the scope of the claims.

FIGS. 1A-1D show views of a trekking pole tip cover 100. The trekking pole tip cover 100 has a base member 105 at a first end (e.g., top end) and multiple extension members 115 extending from the base member to a second end (e.g., bottom end). The extension members 115 may be separated from each other by slits 120, which may extend from the second end towards the first end, terminating where base member 105 begins (e.g., where the extension members 115 are no longer separated from each other by the slits 120). The trekking pole tip cover 100 may have a front side in the direction of the arrow on y-axis 140, and a rear side opposite the front side.

FIG. 1A shows an isometric bottom view of trekking pole tip cover 100. As seen in FIG. 1A, each of the extension members 115 may terminate in a contact region 110. Each of the contact regions 110 (e.g., contact regions 110-a, 110-b, 110-c, 110-d, and 110-e) may be flat or have a convex shape providing a contact area for the trekking pole tip cover 100 on a walking surface. In the illustrated example, the trekking pole tip cover 100 has five extension members 115 (e.g., extension members 115-a, 115-b, 115-c, 115-d, and 115-e), which are separated from each other by five slits 120 (e.g., slits 120-a, 120-b, 120-c, 120-d, and 120-e).

According to various aspects, trekking pole tip cover 100 may have a cavity 125 between the extension members 115. In some cases, the cavity 125 may be the same depth as slits 120, while in other cases cavity 125 may be deeper (e.g., a middle of the cavity may extend farther from the second end towards the first end) than the slits 120. A combination of the cavity 125 in the middle of the extension members 115 and the slits 120 may provide secure footing by allowing some flexibility for the extension members 115 to adapt to walking gait and terrain. For example, the trekking pole tip cover 100 may be formed of a pliable material such as an elastomeric material (e.g., a rubber material). The elastomeric material may be, for example, an unsaturated rubber, a saturated rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, or a polysulfide rubber. For example, the elastomeric material may have an elasticity modulus of less than 10 MPa.

In some cases, the extension members 115 of trekking pole tip cover 100 may be radially symmetrical, and may include a quantity of extension members (e.g., four, five, six, seven, eight, more than eight) and slits 120 that have the same dimensions. In some cases, the extension members 115 may have radial dihedral symmetry (e.g., the extension members may be radially symmetrical and may also have dihedral symmetry around one or more lines of reflection).

In other examples, as is shown in FIG. 1A, the extension members 115 may lack radial symmetry. For example, FIG. 1A shows an example where different extension members 115 have different sizes. In the example shown in FIG. 1A, the trekking pole tip cover 100 has symmetry in a plane defined by a y-axis 140 and a z-axis 144 (e.g., a y-z plane). In this example, the posterior extension member (extension member 115-e) extends to both sides of the y-z plane bisecting the trekking pole tip over 100, and may be the largest extension member 115. Also in this example, extension members 115-a and 115-d are the same size and shape (e.g., mirrored) as each other, and may be mirrors of each other about the y-z plane, while extension members 115-b and 115-c (e.g., anterior extension members) may also have the same size and shape (e.g., mirrored) as each other, and may be mirrors of each other about the y-z plane. In some cases, where one extension member (e.g., extension member 115-e) is larger than other extension members 115, the slits 120 bordering the larger extension member may be deeper than the other slits 120. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the larger extension member 115-e is at the rear side of the trekking pole tip cover 100 while extension members 115-b and 115-c are at the front side. In some cases, having the larger extension member 115 at a rear side of the trekking pole tip cover 100 may provide a more solid initial contact region as the user plants the trekking pole, which may contribute to a more solid feel for the user.

FIG. 1B shows an isometric top view of trekking pole tip cover 100. Visible in the view shown in FIG. 1B is a cavity 150 at a top side of the trekking pole tip cover 100 for receiving a pole tip of a trekking pole. FIG. 1B also shows base member 105 and extension members 115-c, 115-d, and 115-e, with slit 120-c between extension members 115-c and 115-d, and slit 120-d between extension members 115-d and 115-e.

The view in FIG. 1B shows that extension member 115-e, located at the rear side of the trekking pole tip cover 100, is larger than the other extension members 115, and may extend to both sides of the y-z plane bisecting the trekking pole tip cover 100.

FIG. 1C shows a side view of trekking pole tip cover 100. In the side view shown in FIG. 1C, the positive y-axis 140 extends in a direction corresponding to the front side of the trekking pole tip cover 100, and the x-axis 142 extends out of the page.

FIG. 1C shows an ambulatory stability pole 180 (e.g., trekking pole) inserted into the cavity 150 in the top of the trekking pole tip cover 100. The ambulatory stability pole 180 may be an elongated pole, and may have a longitudinal axis 190. Base member 105 may extend for a first dimension 132 along a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis 190 of the ambulatory stability pole 180. The extension members 115 may extend from the base member 105 along the direction, and may each have a contact region 110. The extension members 115 may be separated by slits, such that base member 105 extends from the top of the trekking pole tip cover 100 to the slits.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the contact regions 110 of the extension members 115 may define an inclined contact area for the trekking pole tip cover 100. For example, the contact regions 110 may define a plane 130 that is angled relative to a plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 190 of the ambulatory stability pole 180. The incline angle may allow the contact regions 110 to provide a more positive feel when planted as a more limited quantity of the contact regions 110 (e.g., contact region 110-e) may initially contact the ground when positioned forward to be planted, while a greater quantity of the contact regions 110 may then contact the ground as the ambulatory stability pole 180 rotates forward according to walking motion 185 after the initial contact of the trekking pole tip cover 100 with the ground.

Although FIG. 1C illustrates all contact regions 110 of the extension members 115 defining the plane 130 that is angled relative to a plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 190 of the ambulatory stability pole 180, in some cases a subset of the contact regions 110 may be on the plane 130. For example, the plane 130 may be defined by the contact regions on the rear side and the front side (e.g., contact regions 110-e, 110-b, and 110-d for the illustrated example with five extension members 115). In such examples, some of the contact regions 110 (e.g., contact regions in-between the front side and the rear side of the trekking pole tip cover 100) may not be on the plane 130, but instead may be lower than plane 130 to provide divergence in how the contact regions initially contact the ground as the top of ambulatory stability pole 180 is rotated forward according to walking motion 185.

FIG. 1C illustrates cavity 125 between extension members 115, and illustrates that trekking pole tip cover 100 may have a hole 152 between cavity 150 and cavity 125. In some cases, hole 152 may allow ambulatory stability pole 180 to be inserted easier, and a tip (e.g., metal or carbide tip) of ambulatory stability pole 180 may extend through hole 152 into cavity 125 when ambulatory stability pole 180 is inserted in cavity 150.

FIG. 1D shows a cross-sectional view of trekking pole tip cover 100. The cross-section for FIG. 1D may be in the y-z-plane bisecting trekking pole tip cover 100, and shows that extension member 115-e may extend to both sides of the y-z plane (e.g., the cross-section along the y-z plane may bisect extension member 115-e). However, the front extension members 115-b and 115-c (not shown), may be on either side of the y-z plane, separated by slit 120-b.

The cross-sectional view in FIG. 1D illustrates the cavity 125 between extension members 115, and hole 152 between cavity 150 and cavity 125. In the trekking pole tip cover 100 illustrated in FIG. 1D, the depth of slit 120-b is the same as the depth of cavity 125, although in some cases cavity 125 may be deeper than some or all of slits 120. The hold 152 may allow water to drain from cavity 150, and may allow a tip portion of the ambulatory stability pole 180 to pass through to extend partially into cavity 125.

In some examples, a washer 154 (e.g., metal washer) may be placed at the bottom of cavity 150 and may provide a rigid surface that engages with a region around the tip portion of the ambulatory stability pole 180 to provide a secure engagement that helps to prevent the tip portion of the ambulatory stability pole 180 from extending too far into the cavity 125, particularly through repetitive deformation of the bottom of cavity 150 of trekking pole tip cover 100 while in use.

FIGS. 2A-2C show examples of contact region patterns 200 of a trekking pole tip cover 100, in accordance with various aspects.

FIG. 2A shows a first example contact region pattern 200-a. Contact region pattern 200-a includes six (6) contact regions 210, each separated from other contact regions 210 by slits 220. In contact region pattern 200-a, contact regions 210 are each the same shape (e.g., circular), and may be the same size. In addition, contact region pattern 200-a has a cavity 125-a between contact regions 210. Contact region pattern 200-a has radial symmetry about an axis 250 that may be a central axis of trekking pole tip cover 100, as well as bilateral symmetry about a plane 240 (e.g., y-z plane). Thus, contact region pattern 200-a may have radial dihedral symmetry as well. The contact regions for contact region pattern 200-a may define an inclined plane (e.g., a plane that is angled relative to a plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the ambulatory stability pole, as shown in FIG. 1C).

FIG. 2B shows a second example contact region pattern 200-b. Contact region pattern 200-b includes six (6) non-circular contact regions 210, each separated from other contact regions 210 by slits 220. In contact region pattern 200-b, contact regions 210 are each the same shape (e.g., rotated or mirrored from each other), and may be the same size. In addition, contact region pattern 200-b has a cavity 125-b between contact regions 210. Contact region pattern 200-b has radial symmetry about an axis 250 that may be a central axis of trekking pole tip cover 100, as well as bilateral symmetry about a plane 240 (e.g., y-z plane). Thus, contact region pattern 200-b may have radial dihedral symmetry as well. The contact regions for contact region pattern 200-b may define an inclined plane (e.g., a plane that is angled relative to a plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the ambulatory stability pole, as shown in FIG. 1C).

FIG. 2C shows a third example contact region pattern 200-c. Contact region pattern 200-c includes five (5) contact regions 210 (e.g., contact regions 210-a, 210-b, 210-c, 210-d, and 210-e), each separated from other contact regions 210 by slits 220. Some of contact regions 210 (e.g., contact region 210-e) may be larger than others of the contact regions 210. In addition, contact region pattern 200-c has a cavity 125-c between contact regions 210. Contact region pattern 200-c lacks radial or dihedral symmetry, but may have bilateral symmetry about a plane 240 (e.g., y-z plane). The contact regions for contact region pattern 200-c may define an inclined plane (e.g., a plane that is angled relative to a plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the ambulatory stability pole, as shown in FIG. 1C), with the contact region 210-e extending the furthest and being toward the back side of the trekking pole tip cover 100, such that it contacts the ground first when a user plants the trekking pole.

FIG. 3 shows an isometric bottom view of an example trekking pole tip cover 100. FIG. 3 shows that the contact regions 110 of trekking pole tip cover 100 may be oblong or non-circular. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, contact region 110-e may be oblong or have multiple lobes (e.g., bow-tie shaped). In other cases, one or more contact regions 110 may be oval or triangular shaped (e.g., a rounded triangular shape).

FIG. 3 shows that some extension members 115 may have projecting points 312 extending from a side. For example, in FIG. 3 extension members 115-a, 115-b, 115-c, and 115-d have projecting points 312 extending from a front side of the extension member. Projecting points 312 may extend to be at a height of the contact regions 110, and thus may contact the ground as the trekking pole tip cover 100 is rotated through the walking motion (e.g., walking motion 185). Projecting points 312 may have an angular or semi-circular shape when viewed from the side, and may have a triangular shape when viewed from the bottom.

As shown in FIG. 3, contact regions 110 and projecting points 312 may take the appearance of an animal paw, and thus trekking pole tip cover 100 may leave an imprint similar to an animal track in soft ground including imprints corresponding to contact regions 110 (e.g., pads) and projecting points 312 (e.g., claws) of the trekking pole tip cover 100. The contact regions 110 and projecting points 312 may be shaped to leave imprints similar to various animal species such as bobcats, bears, wolves, and the like.

It should be noted that these are examples of implementations, and that the elements may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible. In some examples, aspects from two or more of the examples may be combined. For example, aspects of each of the examples may include elements of the other examples, or other techniques described herein. Thus, aspects of the disclosure may provide for improved performance of a trekking pole tip cover. The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term “exemplary” used herein means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples.” The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (for example, a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or “one or more of”) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on.”

In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

The description herein is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.