AU615578B2

AU615578B2 - Ski-drive unit

Info

Publication number: AU615578B2
Application number: AU42377/89A
Authority: AU
Inventors: P.J. Perry
Original assignee: P J PERRY
Current assignee: P J PERRY
Priority date: 1988-09-27
Filing date: 1989-09-27
Publication date: 1991-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2009-09-27
Also published as: AU4237789A

Description

r1 A's

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 615578 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Priority Related Art:

S

Published: S. S

SS

S.

S

S. S

S.

S..

0 Name(s) of Applicant(s): Address(es) of Applicant(s): APPLICANT'S REF.: P.J. PERRY 8/9 Greig Court, Elwood, Victoria 3184, Australia C.A.P. of PJ 0646/88 Actual Inventor(s): 4 0127oB 27098( Address for Service is: PHILLIPS, ORMONDE AND FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne, Australia, 3000 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: SKI-DRIVE UNIT The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): P19/3/84 IRN 108168 PHILLIPS ORMONDE AND FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne, Australia P1712/83 2 So

S.

C.

S

I I

C..

The present invention relates to a ski-drive unit. It relates particularly but not exclusively to a ski-drive unit which is suitable for attahment to at least one ski in order to form a vehicle similar to a driven sled.

In recent years, snow sports, and in particular downhill and cross-country skiing, have increased in popularity. However, it is expensive to arrange for the transport of skiers and ski equipment to a summit, because of the expenses involved in arranging tows or ski lifts.

There is therefore a need for a convenient and inexpensive mode of transport for skiers and ski equipment up a slope, enabling the skiers to ski down.

Furthermore, ski accidents are not infrequent, and it is often necessary to transport an injured skier across snow-covered country to a medical aid station. An injured skier frequently needs to wait a considerable period of time for the arrival of a snowmobile, and there is therefore a need for a more convenient means for transporting injured skiers across snow-covered terrain.

According to the present invention there is provided a ski drive unit comprising: a motor; driving means powered by the motor, for propelling the unit across snow-covered terrain; and attachment means, for attaching the ski drive unit to at least one ski. For the purposes of this description and the claims, the term "ski" refers to a ski of the sort used by humans in cross-country or downhill snow skiing.

It is preferred, although not essential, that the ski 4 SS S. S 5

SO'S

555 0S S S SO

SS

3 drive unit be sufficiently compact and lightweight to allow for it to be carried as a backpack by a skier. In order to achieve this, it is preferred that the various parts of the ski drive unit be capable of being folded down to provide a unit similar in size and weight to a rucksack.

While the driving means may be any suitable driving means including jet propulsion means, it is preferred that the driving means comprises one or more drive belts such as caterpillar drive belts.

Io The attachment means may be any suitable means for attaching the ski drive unit to at least one, and preferably two, skis. While the ski drive unit may be permanently or S semi-permanently attached to one or more skis, it is 0 preferred that the attachment means be such that the ski drive unit is readily and rapidly detachable.

In one embodiment, the attachment means may be suitable for securing the unit to standard ski bindings S already provided on the skis for ski boots. In a preferred em embodiment, the attachment means is suitable for securing moo* P• the unit to additional fittings provided behind the standard ski bindings. This allows a skier to leave his or her ski 66 boots in their bindings while using the ski drive unit.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the following description is illustrative only and should not be taken in any way as restricting the generality of the invention as described above.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a ski drive unit 4 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention attached to a pair of skis.

Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the ski drive unit of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the additional fitting attached to the skis shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figure I.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional detail of the fitting illustrated in Figure 3, taken along the line IV-IV.

1 A suitable embodiment of a ski drive unit, designated generally as i, comprises a motor or engine (not shown), driving means 2, and attachment means 3.

The motor is housed within an optional case 4 which also preferably includes a centrifugal clutch, reduction S gearing and drive rollers. The motor may use any suitable type of fuel such as petrol, diesel, liquid petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, or wood, or it may be powered by a battery or any other suitable means. Especially preferred because of its inexpensive nature is a small petrol engine.

One suitable example of this is a 50 cc chain saw motor sold under the name "McCulloch Mod Mac 1010".

The driving means 2 consists of a drive belt made of rubber or similar material, and the drive belt operates in a manner similar to drive belts found on snowmobiles. The o• o C drive belt preferably has a textured surface or a series of outward projections 5 in order to provide a firm contact with the snow over which the drive unit may travel.

The attachment means 3 comprises four arms, two of which are attached to a ski on one side of the ski drive

JM

C

I- -I unit, and the other two of which are attached to a ski on the opposite side of the ski drive unit.

The arms 3 are pivotably connected to the rest of the ski drive unit at a point located near the center of the top of case 4.

The means by which arms 3 connect to skis 6 is best shown in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 shows additional fitting 7 connected on top of ski 6 at a position behind the ski bindings (not shown).

As can be seen from the cross-sectional view given in Figure 4, additional fitting 7 preferably has three layers.

The central layer 8 comprises a sliding strip which is biased to one end of the additional fitting by a spring 9.

Arm 3 has towards its end an annular groove 10 such that a portion of the sliding strip of the central layer 8

S.

fits into groove 10 under pressure from spring 9 when the end of arm 3 is inserted into hole 11 which extends through all three layers of additional fitting 7. Hole 11 is shaped 0000 S so as to accommodate firmly the end of arm 3.

Rigidly connected to the sliding strip portion of entral layer 8 by means of screws 12 is slide release knob 0 13. When slide release knob 13 is pulled towards arm 3, the sliding part of central layer 8 moves out of annular groove .5 0, enabling arm 3 to be removed from hole 11.

Each of the three layers of additional fitting 7 is preferably approximately 2 mm in depth, and annular groove is preferably approximately 3 mm in depth. Additional fitting 7 is preferably approximately 305 mm in length and 38 mm in width, with the holes to accommodate arms 3 thereon

JM

6 £0 bh a a d..

a i, preferably being spaced approximately 235 mm apart, Additional fitting 7 may be attached to skis 6 by means of screws 14. It is expected that in practice additional fitting 7 will be permanently connected to ski 6, with arms 3 being releasably attached through holes 11.

The embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 shows numerous additional optional features. Seat 14 allows for passenger comfort during travel.

Control lever 15 provides easy steering. Throttle 16 is provided in control lever 15, as is engine cutout button 17 for ignition cutout.

Seat belt 18 is provided for passenger safety. Engine pull start handle 19 is provided towards the rear of the ski drive unit.

Belt adjustment control 20 is provided in the side of case 4 to enable easy adjustment of the tension of drive belt 2. Shock absorber 21, best shown in Figure 2, is provided under seat 14 to allow for comfortable travel.

The various parts fold into a compact unit suitable for carrying as a backpack. Arms 3 are removed from additional fitting 7 on skis 6 and they are rotated 9 0 about their pivotal connection so that they no longer protrude past the sides of case 4. Control lever 15, which is held in place by wing bolt 22, illustrated in Figure 2, is released by untightening of wing bolt 22, allowing control lever 15 to be folded over so that it no longer protrudes. Optional carrying straps (not shown) may also be provided.

JM

-7- A unit weighing not more than 10 kg may be constructed in accordance with the foregoing description, enabling a skier to carry such a unit while skiing. The unit may then be used in cases of emergency or in order to assist in climbing hills. Such a unit may have a speed of approximately 8 kilometres per hour, although this speed will depend upon the motor and gearing chosen.

It will be appreciated that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the construction and arrangement of parts previously described without departing from the ambit of this invention.

I S o o o "o i- 1 S 555 55-J S S' SO*

J

Claims

2. A ski drive unit according to claim 1 wherein the ski drive unit forms or is collapsible to form a compact unit 1O which may be carried as a backpack by a skier.
3. A ski drive unit according to claim 1 or claim 2 S Ss', wherein the driving means comprises one or more drive belts.
4. A ski drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 S: wherein the attachment means includes at least one arm on SO each of two opposing sides of the ski drive unit. A ski drive unit according to claim 4 wherein the arms may clip into holes provided on each of two skis to releaseably attach the ski drive unit to the skis.
6. A ski drive unit according to claim 4 or claimn 2Q.. wherein the arms are pivotably connected to the rest of the ski drive unit so that when skis are attached the arms and skis may pivot relative to the rest of the ski drive unit.
7. A ski drive unit according to claim 6 further incorporating steering means which allows steering of the ski drive unit relative to the skis.
8. A ski drive unit according to claim 7 wherein the steering means comprises a handle on the end of a shaft which is rigidly connected to the ski drive unit.
9. A ski drive unit according to claim 8 wherein the 0 p.0 9- handle also provides for control of the speeO of the motor. A ski drive unit substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings. DATED: 27 September, 1989 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys For: P. J. PERRY