Illuminated ski pole and method

In a ski pole which includes a handle, at least one source of light housed in the handle, and a shaft extending from the handle, the improvement wherein the shaft is made from a solid, elastically resilient element on which is mounted at least one fiber optic element extending from the source of light along substantially the entire length of the shaft and having a capacity to disperse light from the light source in a direction perpendicular to the shaft along substantially the entire length thereof.

In an a illuminated ski pole which includes a handle and a shaft extending from the handle, the improvement comprising dispersing means for dispersing light along substantially the entire length of the shaft, said dispersing means including the shaft, at least one fiber optic element extending from the handle along substantially the entire length of the shaft, a plurality of sources of light disposed in the handle, one source being positioned so as to transmit light of a first color emanating therefrom to the shaft and another source being positioned so as to transmit light of a second and different color emanating therefrom to said at least one fiber optic element, and controlling means for controlling the actuation and deactuation of said one source of light and said another source of light such that (i) said one source of light can be actuated when said another source of light is deactuated, (ii) said another source of light can be actuated when said one source of light is deactuated and (iii) said one source of light can be actuated when said another source of light is actuated.