Latest posts for the topic "An invention"

An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:35:32 GMT

When I went skiing in January I thought of an invention,it seems such an obvious thing I am sure there is a reason why it is not invented already?

The situation:

1. Skiing down a run (applicable at all levels of skiing), you fall over at quite some pace. Skis & poles flapping around everywhere. When you stop at the bottom you realise that your poles came out of your hands just as you fell over - 50m up the slope.

2. Putting all your gear on at the start of the day, or after a rest. With bulky gloves/mittens it can be difficult to get your hands up through the straps on the poles. A general pain.

Solution

A different type of strap for the poles. Why is there a need to put your hand up through the strap? Why not have a simple strap that clips onto the glove. Imagine the type of clip that is on the chin strap of a helmet, that could then clip onto the gloves. That way, when I fall over I naturally open my hands and dont have to worry about the poles falling off. Also, when I start off I just clip on my poles and off I go!

They could be designed so they can replace current straps so they are not confined to the existing pole. There could be special gloves or possibly an add on to existing gloves that work with the poles. The gloves are the main challenge as far as I see it. But I am pretty sure there is a way round that and selling a package. If someone has the gloves required they can still hire gear and use their gloves/straps package with those poles.

As far as I can see something like this does not exist. Is there some kind of reason - say a safety reason?

I have drawings and everything :)

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:45:06 GMT

Like it.I can't see any reason why this would not work

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:46:41 GMT

Ok, off to the Patent office.

I will give you all reduced price version if you want it!

An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:46:48 GMT

Iceman wrote:When I went skiing in January I thought of an invention,it seems such an obvious thing I am sure there is a reason why it is not invented already?

The situation:

1. Skiing down a run (applicable at all levels of skiing), you fall over at quite some pace. Skis & poles flapping around everywhere. When you stop at the bottom you realise that your poles came out of your hands just as you fell over - 50m up the slope.

2. Putting all your gear on at the start of the day, or after a rest. With bulky gloves/mittens it can be difficult to get your hands up through the straps on the poles. A general pain.

Solution

A different type of strap for the poles. Why is there a need to put your hand up through the strap? Why not have a simple strap that clips onto the glove. Imagine the type of clip that is on the chin strap of a helmet, that could then clip onto the gloves. That way, when I fall over I naturally open my hands and dont have to worry about the poles falling off. Also, when I start off I just clip on my poles and off I go!

As far as I can see something like this does not exist. Is there some kind of reason - say a safety reason?

I have drawings and everything :)

Well undoing clips in gloves is an equal faff and to be honest having to do that every time i wanted to put both pole in one had (lifts, digging in pockets etc..) would really start to p me off.
If i am honest i hardly ever use my straps, only when i am skiing terrain where i feel i may fall or drop them....generally i don't bother.

Plus, i would suggest if you are finding it difficult to get your hands through the loops then they may be just too tight.

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:48:04 GMT

I remember when little W was younger we used to run some wool through the arms of her jacket and attach to her gloves .... you could do the same with your poles :twisted:

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:49:17 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:I remember when little W was younger we used to run some wool through the arms of her jacket and attach to her gloves .... you could do the same with your poles :twisted:

and why not skis ??
:mrgreen:
string up the salopettes down the other leg?

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:50:44 GMT

I may be the only one here with this thought but......in all honesty i don't really like the idea of tumbling with a metal spiky pole attached to me.
Like my skis, if i fall (especially violently) i would want all my kit detached from me.

Skiing deep powder is obviously less risky and i wouldn't want to loose my poles so i would prob be a little happier there.

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:52:09 GMT

OldAndy wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:I remember when little W was younger we used to run some wool through the arms of her jacket and attach to her gloves .... you could do the same with your poles :twisted:

and why not skis ??
:mrgreen:
string up the salopettes down the other leg?

Perhaps we should follow the Northern lad down the Patent office .... do you know where it is :roll:

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:52:47 GMT

Edited my initial post now to include another development

Hear what you say Snapzzz, but in my experience even when the straps are loose I still struggle to get my hands through the straps. You know how quick it is to undo the clip on your helmet, I imagine that unclipping a pole is just as quick? It is just the same as faffing about when you have your hands through straps?

Ian - this is one of my more serious posts and you have just wibblised it ;)

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:54:05 GMT

Iceman wrote:Edited my initial post now to include another development

Hear what you say Snapzzz, but in my experience even when the straps are loose I still struggle to get my hands through the straps. You know how quick it is to undo the clip on your helmet, I imagine that unclipping a pole is just as quick? It is just the same as faffing about when you have your hands through straps?

Ian - this is one of my more serious posts and you have just wibblised it ;)

You got it wrong Icy that was my most serious post :thumbup:

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:56:34 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:I may be the only one here with this thought but......in all honesty i don't really like the idea of tumbling with a metal spiky pole attached to me.
Like my skis, if i fall (especially violently) i would want all my kit detached from me.

Skiing deep powder is obviously less risky and i wouldn't want to loose my poles so i would prob be a little happier there.

But thats my point. They would not be near you. When you fall over and are in danger of losing your poles you are usually sliding. It is this motion that makes the poles come loose and stay at the top of the hill. If you have the 'Iceman Clip' they will simply drag behind you. The current design strap does not have the same effect as a binding.

Andy - The Northern lad is "up" from you, not "down" :)

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:02:40 GMT

Iceman,
All the good ski instructors I have had took great care to make sure we were all holding our ski poles correctly (grasping the straps) so that if we needed to we could let them go. So, I rather think, as you suggest, there would be a safety issue with your ingenious idea.

I do know that I broke my shoulder on the dry ski slope because the ski pole got stuck in the mat and I fell over with my hand still holding the stick and the other end stuck in the mat.

I think I would rather pay for another ski pole if I lost it in deep snow or wherever than risk breaking my shoulder again. It took about 6 months to heal and the exercises I had to do were total agony.

Just imagine if you were ski-ing fast downhill at 50 mph and your ski pole got stuck in a rock or something and you were still attached to it :shock:

I think Ian's idea of wool is quite good - kind of like the powder ribbons. You could have a strong normal strap so that you could 'lean' on your pole when turning or in moguls and the wool would just be for emergencies.

But don't give up - keep thinking - I'm sure eventually you will be on to a winner :D

Just remember to share your millions with the rest of us :lol:

Ally

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:10:34 GMT

Hmm, Ally Good points there - especially getting your pole stuck in something (no comments please,wibble free zone)

How about, if it was developed so it had a quick release on it so if it gets stuck at speed or on a chair left it would simply release? But dragging along the floor it would not.

It is important to remember that the current design for ski poles is not so they have a quick release mechanism. The awful accident that you had Ally would not be made worse by the Iceman Clip.

I know one of the first pieces of info an instructor gives beginners is how to hold a pole so you dont break your thumbs!

Building in somekind of release mechanism would actually take it past the needs of the current pole.

I appreciate all of your points here (apart from the northern monkey ones....)

Snapzzz - with these straps you dont need to unclip all of the time. opening your hip flask as an example you can simply let go of your poles and use your hands while they hang down?

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:11:48 GMT

Hi Iceman.

Not sure if I'm reading your post correctly. Do you want easy connection to your poles (like ski bindings to skis) or poles that you can drop and have them trail behind on a tether?

If just the clip then leki make several flavours such as these:-

If you don't have the intergrated glove then there are straps that you wear over a normal glove and then clip into and out of the pole.

I too hate the faff of forcing hand between a pair of uncoperative flat straps so will be trying some lekis in 16 ish sleeps time...

The posh model has an integral hip flask too.

Cheers,

Owen.

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:14:42 GMT

Hmmm, what Leki do is EXACTLY what I had in mind :twisted:

2 questions

1. Do you have to have a special pole of can the Iceman Strap be fixed to traditional pole handles?

2. Do the poles have straps that clip in or is it straight onto the glove?

Glad someone else is with me on this :thumbup:

I see their 14S poles with trigger clip are over GBP100

Mine will be significantly cheaper :shock:

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:19:11 GMT

Iceman,
I think an emergency release mechanism would be a very good idea :D :D :D

I had the same problem as you trying to get my gloves into the straps, and then I had a brilliant idea - I bought some smaller gloves :lol:

And if your gloves are already a tight fit, then I suppose you could buy some longer straps.

Just while you're waiting to get your invention finalized I mean, of course :wink:

Ally

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:23:20 GMT

1. If I buy smaller gloves my hands wont fit in them
2. I want some fancy thing like Leki/Iceman do

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:24:07 GMT

Iceman wrote:Hmmm, what Leki do is EXACTLY what I had in mind :twisted:

2 questions

1. Do you have to have a special pole of can the Iceman Strap be fixed to traditional pole handles?

2. Do the poles have straps that clip in or is it straight onto the glove?

Glad someone else is with me on this :thumbup:

Glad to help.

Lots of people seem not to get the idea of these things but for me it seemed a logical evolution of poles.

The poles are specific to the system so Leki's system is not retro fittable to existing kit. (If you made some you could be in with a winner.)

Leki will either sell you gloves with the clip built in, or an "over strap" that is worn over normal gloves.

Their original system was called "trigger one" the newer one is "trigger s".

I've recently bought 2 pairs of trigger one (poles - edit) for GBP8 from ebay, and a set of over straps for under a tenner. (New straps GBP20 a pair, new poles GBP50 and up.)

I really don't understand why all poles are not made this way...

Cheers,

Owen.

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:29:34 GMT

Just edited my post to add that the Leki 14S poles are over GBP100

I would be aiming at a price point much lower than that.

Thinking about it now, the clip could be like those that are on airplane seat belts. Much easier to open.

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:31:02 GMT

Does the Leki system have a safety release mechanism? That's the aspect I would be most interested in.

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:33:38 GMT

Does not seem like it, however in their blurb they doo say, "The Leki Carbon 14S ski pole features the innovative Leki Trigger S system, which replaces the traditional ski strap system, with an integrated clip, with quick release system."

But I am guessing quick release refers to the fact that it is quick to undo rather than a safety relese.

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:35:34 GMT

Just been having a play with mine. The strap presents the clip at the correct angle such that just grabbing hold of the pole offers the clip into the receptacle. Release is done by pushing a thumb down onto button on the top of the pole.

I'd suggest that whatever you do you make it a single handed operation to either clip or unclip.

I was wondering aboult a much cleaner system using electro magnets but that's a different topic.

Owen.

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:36:24 GMT

Well if it doesn't have a safety quick release then maybe you could design one for me, please Iceman :D

You have plenty of time because I'm not going ski-ing again for about 310 days. Just make sure it's ready for New Year's please :lol:

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:42:03 GMT

Marksman - what have you recently bought then? Do you already own the poles?

Ally - with my rubbish drawing skills I might have done the drawings properly by then.

However, with my marketing skills and manufacturing contacts you could have a prototype.

Thinking about it even more, my other love is hill walking. Somehoe this idea could be transferred to that also. However need to get over the glove issue. Maybe not as applicable thinking about it

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:15:10 GMT

Well, best of luck with it Iceman :D

If you really want to make some money, it might be a better idea to develop a system for elderly people - apparently loads of them break the same shoulder bone as me (the greater tuberosity) because of falling over whilst holding their sticks.

And whilst your doing it, see if you can make a simple bracket or something so that elderly people can attach their sticks/crutches to chairs etc. so that I don't keep falling over them.

Thank you very much :D

Ally

An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:18:01 GMT

Iceman wrote:When I went skiing in January I thought of an invention,it seems such an obvious thing I am sure there is a reason why it is not invented already?

The situation:

1. Skiing down a run (applicable at all levels of skiing), you fall over at quite some pace. Skis & poles flapping around everywhere. When you stop at the bottom you realise that your poles came out of your hands just as you fell over - 50m up the slope.

2. Putting all your gear on at the start of the day, or after a rest. With bulky gloves/mittens it can be difficult to get your hands up through the straps on the poles. A general pain.

Solution

A different type of strap for the poles. Why is there a need to put your hand up through the strap? Why not have a simple strap that clips onto the glove. Imagine the type of clip that is on the chin strap of a helmet, that could then clip onto the gloves. That way, when I fall over I naturally open my hands and dont have to worry about the poles falling off. Also, when I start off I just clip on my poles and off I go!

They could be designed so they can replace current straps so they are not confined to the existing pole. There could be special gloves or possibly an add on to existing gloves that work with the poles. The gloves are the main challenge as far as I see it. But I am pretty sure there is a way round that and selling a package. If someone has the gloves required they can still hire gear and use their gloves/straps package with those poles.

As far as I can see something like this does not exist. Is there some kind of reason - say a safety reason?

I have drawings and everything :)

1. Dont fall over
2. Do your straps properly and you wont have a problem

I wonder about you sometimes.

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:26:19 GMT

Likewise, I wonder how you can't read my explanations to your points.

Thanks for your valuable input :twisted:

An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:32:08 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

1. Dont fall over
2. Do your straps properly and you wont have a problem

I wonder about you sometimes.

Tony, I know you are a truly amazing skier now and you don't fall over any more, but some of us lesser mortals still do, and Iceman's quick release invention might save us some injuries.

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:43:09 GMT

Iceman wrote:Marksman - what have you recently bought then? Do you already own the poles?

I bought a pair of these, to wear over my existing gloves, and a couple of pairs of poles to suit. :-

They're the older trigger one (with the plastic rectangular clip rather than the metal hoop) so all in it was less than GBP30 for the whole lot.

Yanking on them they do not "seem" to have a safety release. Don't want to pull on them too hard before I've even used them in anger. The newer trigger-s looks like it could have, at least that is the way I would have designed it!

In my not very humble opinion any skier who doesn't fall over once in a while isn't trying hard enough :twisted:

Owen.

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:48:25 GMT

The emergency release could easily be designed into the clip by having the clip failing at a certain load that would not normally be applied to it.so the plug would pop out of the clip when needed, as a guess being plastic this would not damage the unit i..n any ..

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:01:47 GMT

john987 wrote:The emergency release could easily be designed into the clip by having the clip failing at a certain load that would not normally be applied to it.so the plug would pop out of the clip when needed, as a guess being plastic this would not damage the unit i..n any ..

Sounds sensible :thumbup:

Having had a further play it would seem to be the case. A sharp tug releases the clip causing no damage to pole or the clip on the strap. (At least on the trigger-one). I can't believe the design would go backwards so presume the trigger-s does the same.

Owen.

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:28:00 GMT

ebay seller wrote:The Trigger S Safety System allows for quick release from the pole when required or automatically in the event of a large fall. The pole is supplied with a web strap or can be used with a Leki Trigger S compatible glove.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leki-Vantage-S-Trigger-S-Ski-Poles-120cm-/140692900641?pt=UK_Skiing_Snowboarding_Ski_Poles_CV&hash=item20c1f34b21

GBP50 including the straps.

O.S.

Re:An invention

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:38:12 GMT

Marksman wrote:

ebay seller wrote:The Trigger S Safety System allows for quick release from the pole when required or automatically in the event of a large fall. The pole is supplied with a web strap or can be used with a Leki Trigger S compatible glove.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leki-Vantage-S-Trigger-S-Ski-Poles-120cm-/140692900641?pt=UK_Skiing_Snowboarding_Ski_Poles_CV&hash=item20c1f34b21

GBP50 including the straps.

O.S.

Thanks Marksman :D

I must buy myself some of those. Oh, no, hang on a minute ... how am I going to get them in my suitcase? They don't collapse do they?

Re:An invention

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:17:33 GMT

Are they as effective at pushing the pole out of your hand when you fall in the way having the straps under your thumb is??

Re:An invention

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:38:41 GMT

I don't know want all this fuss is about..... I have never lost a ski pole :roll:

An invention

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:31:37 GMT

AllyG wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

1. Dont fall over
2. Do your straps properly and you wont have a problem

I wonder about you sometimes.

Tony, I know you are a truly amazing skier now and you don't fall over any more, but some of us lesser mortals still do, and Iceman's quick release invention might save us some injuries.

No you don't, and I didn't say that either. I just said don't fall over

Re:An invention

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:42:56 GMT

Iceman has such a "active " mind !
Full of questions and solutions.

That pole strap is a very interesting point !

Ski equipment and design has a history of slow change. Case in point those pointed old old wooden tips ! Next time you see an old non-metal edge ski..look at tip and you will will see a 10mm tip sticking out ! The old dinosaur skiers call them "ski nipples" ( sorry Dave for historical honesty I had to use thus term ) !

Can anyone tell me why it was there?

Can anyone remember that groove in the middle of a ski base ? What was its function ?

Now back to those pole straps ?

Icemen is very wise and perceptive. They had a function many years ago but now are not really needed! For that past 10 years I have taken out my nylon/leather pole straps off since I do lots of skiing in woods and have had poles caught in branches, resulting in near shoulder separation. Now I instal thick elastics,,with a slip knot. You can buy these elastics in sewing stores or such !

Easy to install, Easy to use. Safe !

Re:An invention

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:34:14 GMT

pavelski wrote:I do lots of skiing in woods and have had poles caught in branches, resulting in near shoulder separation.

I didn't think of that one Pavel. I shall have to add it to my list of worries about ski holidays :wink:

Your trick with elastic sounds like a pretty good idea - cheap and easy to use :D

Ally

Re:An invention

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:56:03 GMT

AllG,
Wait till you place these elastics. You will discover another plus.

May I suggest you make the lope,,the ring just long enough to go around your gloves. In this manner the elastic will go around with little pressure around wrists !

After one day you will discover that hidden pleasure !

Have a great day skiing!

Pavel

Re:An invention

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:08:09 GMT

Hi Pavel,
Have you tested your elastic when ski-ing by getting a ski pole stuck in a tree? And if so, what happens? Does the slip knot undo or does the elastic break? I'm not really sure what the breaking strength of sewing elastic is - it might be stronger than it looks.

Ally

Re:An invention

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:16:55 GMT

The leki system is popular with racers who really don't want their grip to slip while poling at the start. Bearing in mind Pav's comments, it would be nice to have a graduated release system for pole straps like the DIN values on bindings. Or (and I claim this idea) a release that holds when pushing down with poles, but releases when pulled upwards if the pole snags.

Re:An invention

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:40:52 GMT

Trencher, ISTR Pole Straps having break away clips on the straps when I started learning in the 1980's. The idea seems to have been dropped.

Re:An invention

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:04:37 GMT

bandit wrote:Trencher, ISTR Pole Straps having break away clips on the straps when I started learning in the 1980's. The idea seems to have been dropped.

Need someone to reinvent it then.

Re:An invention

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:26:41 GMT

Trencher wrote:

bandit wrote:Trencher, ISTR Pole Straps having break away clips on the straps when I started learning in the 1980's. The idea seems to have been dropped.

Need someone to reinvent it then.

I remember them bandit.
Had some poles with this quick detach clip - but, as I recall, the problem was the clip wasn't very strong and soon either got stuck or broke.

Modern plastics would probably make a huge difference, but would there be a market?

Re:An invention

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:31:28 GMT

On second thoughts, it's already risky enough skiing under chair lifts without additional debris falling down :D

Re:An invention

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:51:29 GMT

pavelski wrote:Iceman has such a "active " mind !
Full of questions and solutions.

That pole strap is a very interesting point !

Icemen is very wise and perceptive. !

:thumbup: cheers Pav :)

Sounds like my idea already exists or has existed in the past. tHink I will have to go back to the thinking factory ;)

Re:An invention

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:01:52 GMT

Iceman wrote:
Sounds like my idea already exists or has existed in the past. tHink I will have to go back to the thinking factory ;)

Pub?

Re:An invention

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:58:12 GMT

How about telescopic ones, a bit like police batons so they would be easier on chair lifts and when youready a flick of the wrist all ready. Depending on how small you could collapse them might be small enough to not have to take straps of for chairs

Re:An invention

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:13:55 GMT

Telescopic poles already exist, don't they?

We had some in Val T from the ski hire. They're fine until you lean on them. Then they tend to collapse without much effort. Got fed up readjusting one or other.

Re:An invention

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:59:20 GMT

Extending poles could use one of those small CO2 capsules to extend or retract...

They'd have a point on the end and could extend rather quickly. Could be useful when dealing with Frenchmen in lift queues or for making a point to boarders sitting in a line across a piste...

Owen.

Re:An invention

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:06:49 GMT

Marksman wrote:Extending poles could use one of those small CO2 capsules to extend or retract...

They'd have a point on the end and could extend rather quickly. Could be useful when dealing with Frenchmen in lift queues or for making a point to boarders sitting in a line across a piste...

Owen.

I'm sure that's what Steed of the Avengers took when he went skiing.

(and that reminds me, why don't women wear black leather suits these days?)

Re:An invention

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:59:27 GMT

They do where I live!!

Just come back from the thinkin factory. I think everyone was on strike as output was low. Might have to work double time I'm the weekend!! :)

Re:An invention

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:28:30 GMT

Iceman wrote:They do where I live!!

Just come back from the thinkin factory. I think everyone was on strike as output was low. Might have to work double time I'm the weekend!! :)

Do you know how much it costs for a new idea to get to manufacture are you minted :shock:

Re:An invention

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:03:13 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

Iceman wrote:They do where I live!!

Just come back from the thinkin factory. I think everyone was on strike as output was low. Might have to work double time I'm the weekend!! :)

Do you know how much it costs for a new idea to get to manufacture are you minted :shock:

Really?!? Never considered that :roll:

Re:An invention

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:06:01 GMT

Iceman wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

Iceman wrote:They do where I live!!

Just come back from the thinkin factory. I think everyone was on strike as output was low. Might have to work double time I'm the weekend!! :)

Do you know how much it costs for a new idea to get to manufacture are you minted :shock:

Really?!? Never considered that :roll:

I'm glad I could be of help :roll:

Re:An invention

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:09:03 GMT

sarcasm is lost on some peeps ;)

Re:An invention

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:11:57 GMT

Iceman wrote:sarcasm is lost on some peeps ;)

Any more business idea's you can run them past me first, I'll always give a balanced helpful viewpoint :thumbup:

Re:An invention

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 23:56:05 GMT

Nice one, cheers wickers ;) :thumbup:

Re:An invention

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:14:31 GMT

A candidate for Dragons' Den, perhaps ?