Systems and Methods for Integrated Pole Structure and Function

Abstract

A pole system comprising a continuous elongated frame forming both structural and functional geometries relating to the handle and shaft portions. The continuous elongated frame may include an internal cavity and a variable wall thickness along the lengthwise dimension. The handle portion of the continuous elongated frame includes a cap region, grip region, and a retention region. The independent regions of the handle portion may include substantially different cross sectional shapes to facilitate the corresponding functional characteristics. For example, the grip region may include an ergonomic tapered oval cross sectional shape to facilitate optimal engagement with a user's hand. The shaft portion of the continuous elongated frame is disposed between the handle portion and the bottom end of the continuous elongated frame. The tip is either integrated as a portion of the continuous elongated frame or translatably coupled via a lower pole member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pole system comprising:
 a continuous elongated frame including a top end, a plurality of adjacent lengthwise portions, and a bottom end, and wherein the independent adjacent portions include a handle portion and a shaft portion;   the handle portion further includes a cap region, a grip region, and a retention region, wherein the grip region is disposed between the cap region and the retention region, and wherein the cap region is disposed on the top end;   the shaft portion of the continuous elongated frame is disposed between the handle portion and the bottom end;   a tip including a point;   wherein the bottom end of the continuous elongated frame includes at least one of the tip and a coupler releasably coupled to a lower pole member including the tip; and   wherein at least two of the cap region, grip region, and retention region of the continuous elongated frame include substantially different cross sectional shapes.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous elongated frame includes a hollow internal cavity and a wall thickness. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the wall thickness of the continuous elongated frame is variable between the top end and the bottom end. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous elongated frame includes a carbon fiber composition. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the grip region and retention region of the handle portion include the same cross sectional shape and area. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the grip region includes a smaller cross sectional area with respect to at least one of the cap region and retention region. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cap region includes a releasable opening to a hollow internal cavity of the continuous elongated frame. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the grip region includes an external cover member extending between the cap region and the retention region. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the external cover member includes at least one of foam, tape, and rubber. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coupler includes a cross sectional clamping member having a clamped state and a translational state, and wherein the clamped state retains a lengthwise position of the continuous elongated frame and the lower pole member, and wherein the translational state enables a translation between the continuous elongated frame and the lower pole member. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the lower pole member includes a lower first segment, a lower second segment, and a lower coupler, and wherein the lower coupler includes a second cross sectional clamping member having a clamped state and a translational state. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a basket is releasably coupled to the tip between two tip retention regions of the continuous elongated frame. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous elongated frame include a second grip region disposed within the shaft portion. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion includes a lengthwise angle greater than twenty degrees causing the cap region to be substantially offset from the shaft portion with respect to the lengthwise axis of the continuous elongated frame. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein lower pole member is configured to selectively translate within the continuous elongated frame to the top end. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the grip region includes a non-circular cross sectional shape. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coupler is disposed over a recess on the bottom end of the continuous elongated frame. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein tip is continuous with the continuous elongated frame. 
     
     
         19 . A pole system comprising:
 a continuous elongated frame including a top end, a plurality of adjacent lengthwise portions, and a bottom end, and wherein the independent adjacent portions include a handle portion and a shaft portion, and wherein the continuous elongated frame includes a hollow internal cavity and a variable wall thickness;   the handle portion further includes a cap region, a grip region, and a retention region, wherein the grip region is disposed between the cap region and the retention region, and wherein the cap region is disposed on the top end;   the shaft portion of the continuous elongated frame is disposed between the handle portion and the bottom end;   a tip including a point;   wherein the bottom end of the continuous elongated frame includes at least one of the tip and a coupler releasably coupled to a lower pole member including the tip; and   wherein at least two of the cap region, grip region, and retention region of the continuous elongated frame include substantially different cross sectional shapes.   
     
     
         20 . A pole system comprising:
 a continuous elongated frame including a top end, a plurality of adjacent lengthwise portions, and a bottom end, and wherein the independent adjacent portions include a handle portion and a shaft portion;   the handle portion further includes a cap region, a grip region, and a retention region, wherein the grip region is disposed between the cap region and the retention region, and wherein the cap region is disposed on the top end;   the shaft portion of the continuous elongated frame is disposed between the handle portion and the bottom end;   a tip including a point;   wherein the bottom end of the continuous elongated frame includes at least one of the point and a coupler releasably coupled to a lower pole member including the tip; and   wherein at least two of the cap region, grip region, and retention region of the continuous elongated frame include substantially different cross sectional shapes, and wherein the grip region includes a smaller cross sectional area with respect to at least one of the cap region and retention region.